Are you looking for exciting alternatives to Scratch? Look no further! This article dives into the world of Scratch alternatives, exploring a range of innovative platforms and free tools that offer unique coding experiences. We'll also reveal languages that cater to older students, as well as offline Scratch alternatives. These are great for kids who want to try something more complex or new to keep their interest and imagination in coding!
For live expert guidance, join free award-winning coding classes for kids, designed by professionals from Google, Stanford, and MIT.
Explore the Best Free Scratch Alternatives
While Scratch's visual programming language is an excellent introduction to coding for many children, it might not be the best fit for everyone. Some kids might crave more advanced coding challenges or prefer a different learning style. Or some have mastered Scratch and want to see what else is out there! Find out more below about the alternatives to Scratch and discover the ideal coding platform for your child!
1. ScratchJr
Free, Ages 5-7, Online, App
Perhaps Scratch is too advanced for your child, or your student is very young? If so ScratchJr could be the answer. ScratchJr, designed by the same team that designed Scratch, is an exceptional app (available on Android and iOS) specifically designed for younger children aged 5 to 7 years to introduce them to coding. By manipulating graphical blocks, kids learn to understand the basics of coding such as sequences, loops, and events. For live expert guidance learning coding with ScratchJr, join our Scratch Junior class.
2. Create & Learn Scratch Classes
Ages 5+, Live Online, Expert-Led, Free Intro Sessions
Maybe you're worried your student won't be able to learn how to use Scratch without an effective, structured learning path, and help when they run into frustrating problems? In that case, live online classes from an award-winning platform such as Create & Learn are a great solution. Explore a selection of Scratch coding classes by grade level to find the right starting place for your student. While this program does use Scratch, your student will get the experience and skills of being in a class taught by experts with other students! They'll enjoy fun project and inquiry-based learning in a small group setting, as well as a curriculum designed by professionals from Google, Stanford, and MIT. There are even free intro classes so there's no risk in trying it out!
3. MIT App Inventor
Free, Ages 10+, Online
Perhaps Scratch is a little too basic for your student or your student is older and wanting to learn more? Developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT App Inventor is a completely free, non-profit platform ideal for older kids and teens. It uses the familiar block-coding approach but allows students to design and build fully functional Android and iOS apps. It bridges the gap between simple computer games and real-world mobile app development. Follow this MIT App Inventor tutorial to get started. Or join a fun online Mobile Apps Coding class led live by an expert.
4. Blockly
Free, Ages 8+, Online
Looking for a highly gamified stepping stone between block coding and text-based languages? Blockly Games is a free, web-based platform built on Google's Blockly library that is specifically designed for kids with no prior programming experience. Instead of an open-ended sandbox like Scratch, students' progress through a series of increasingly challenging educational puzzles like guiding a bird or navigating a maze. Best of all, as players snap blocks together, they can toggle a view to see the underlying JavaScript code, making it a brilliant tool for easing into syntax-based programming.
5. Code.org
Free, Ages 4+, Online
Maybe you prefer a platform with a wider selection of tutorials or offline activities? Code.org is a non-profit that aims to make coding accessible to all students. Its Hour of Code tutorials are designed to be fun, engaging, and intuitive - and to be completed in just one hour, making it a fantastic complement to Scratch. The platform offers a wide variety of coding activities and games to keep kids entertained while they learn. As an added bonus, Code.org even provides 'unplugged' activities that teach computational thinking without a computer. Learn more about using Code.org here.
6. Snap!
Free, Ages 12+, Online
Does your student love the visual interface of Scratch but want to tackle more advanced computer science concepts? Developed by researchers at UC Berkeley, Snap! looks and feels almost identical to Scratch but includes powerful advanced features like first-class lists, custom blocks (functions), and higher-order functions. It is often used in high school and introductory college courses to teach serious computer science principles without the frustration of syntax errors. It is an ideal progression for older teens who have outgrown Scratch's technical limitations but still prefer a visual coding environment.
7. Microsoft MakeCode
Free, Ages 8+, Online
Is your child interested in creating retro arcade games or programming physical hardware? Microsoft MakeCode is a fantastic, entirely free platform that combines block-based coding with exciting visual and physical applications. Kids can code classic 2D retro games in MakeCode Arcade or write programs for physical micro-controllers like the micro:bit. One of its standout features is the seamless toggle switch between block-coding and text-based JavaScript or Python, offering a smooth, flexible transition as your child's coding skills mature.
Scratch Language Alternatives for Older Kids
As kids grow older and their cognitive abilities advance, they often seek challenges beyond Scratch's capabilities. They might feel ready to move on from block-based coding - into the world of text-based coding. Here are a few notable alternatives and most common text-based languages for kids to learn:
- Python: Python is a widely used programming language known for its versatility and power. It offers a smooth transition from block-based coding to text-based programming, allowing older kids to dive deeper into coding concepts. It is one of the most beginner friendly and most commonly used languages today.
- JavaScript: JavaScript is a popular language used for web development. It provides older kids with more flexibility and allows them to create interactive and dynamic web-based projects.
- Unity: Unity is a game development platform suitable for older kids interested in creating their own games. It offers a wide range of tools and resources to bring their ideas to life. This is great for older kids who want to learn how their favorite games were created.
- Raspberry Pi: Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable computer that encourages hands-on learning. It provides older kids with the opportunity to explore hardware programming and create innovative projects. Similarly, your student might also enjoy Arduino, the foundation of smart devices.
These languages cater to the advanced coding needs of older kids and provide a solid foundation for their continued coding journey. They open up exciting possibilities for creating more complex projects and expanding programming skills.
Offline Scratch Alternatives for Coding: Learning Anytime, Anywhere
Not every coding journey needs the internet. Offline platforms can provide an uninterrupted learning experience.
The Scratch Offline Editor can be downloaded and installed on a computer. It provides the same features as the online version, allowing kids to code and create without an internet connection. There are also printable Scratch coding cards.
Microsoft MakeCode offers an offline app that supports block-based and text-based programming. With the added advantage of hardware project options with micro:bit, it's a versatile platform.
Snap! provides an offline version and offers similar block-based coding features. It has a user-friendly interface and allows kids to create interactive projects offline.
Get Started with Scratch Alternatives
There's a vast universe of free programming platforms tailored for learners of varying ages and skill levels that can serve as suitable Scratch alternatives. For next steps, try signing up your child for a free coding class led live by an expert. To dive deeper into this subject, we recommend learning more about block coding.
