What is Scratch?

Scratch is a free tool for making games, stories and animations. Children don't type code. They snap blocks together, like puzzle pieces.

Scratch was first made at the MIT Media Lab. Today it's run by the Scratch Foundation, a non-profit. Schools around the world use it.

Tinker Penny is separate from Scratch. Our packs are step-by-step projects that your child builds in Scratch.

What age is it for?

Scratch is designed for ages 8 to 16. Younger children can use it too, with a grown-up nearby. For ages 5 to 7, there's a simpler app called ScratchJr.

If your child can read short instructions, and use a mouse or a touch screen, they can start.

What does it teach?

  • How code works: steps in order, repeats, and "if this, then that".
  • Maths: numbers, adding, and positions on a grid.
  • Fixing problems: when something doesn't work, they find out why and fix it. Coders call this debugging.
  • Making, not just playing: they end up with a game that's theirs.

Is it free?

Yes. Scratch is free, and it has no adverts.

Tinker Penny packs are paid, apart from Market Day, which is free.

Does it work on a tablet?

  • Computer or laptop: use the Scratch website, or the free Scratch app.
  • Chromebook: the website, or the Scratch app from Google Play.
  • Android tablet: the website in Chrome, or the Scratch app from Google Play.
  • iPad: the website, in Safari. There's no Scratch app for iPad, and you don't need one.
  • Phone: the screen is too small to build on.

Once it's installed, the Scratch app works without the internet.

Is it safe?

Scratch has an online community, where people share their projects. It has rules, and a team that checks what people report.

But your child doesn't have to use it. They can build without an account. Their work is saved on your device, and nothing is shared.

If your child does join one day, sit with them the first few times. Talk about what's OK to share. A first name is fine. Photos, a school name or where you live are not.

How to start

Start with one small project, side by side. About 20 minutes is plenty the first time.

Our Start here guide takes you through it, step by step, for each kind of device.