MIT’s Scratch coding is one of the most successful, completely free coding programs in existence, with more than two hundred million kids using it in the past year alone. And although most students utilize the web-based version of Scratch, it is possible to download the Scratch app for offline usage. This allows kids to create Scratch projects on the go, even when they are without internet access. The steps for installing the Scratch app are fairly simple, and this article is intended to help parents walk their kids through the Scratch download process.
To learn how to make cool games with Scratch coding and build their creativity, enroll your student in an online award-winning free Scratch Coding class led live by an expert, and designed by professionals from Google, Stanford, and MIT.
How To Download The Free Scratch Mobile App
The Scratch Version 3 App enables you to create and edit Scratch projects on an Android device. Note that there currently is not an iOS version of the app available. To install the Scratch app, visit the download webpage here, and then follow these steps install the Android app:
Install the Scratch app for Android:
- Click the “Android ” button next to “Choose your OS:”
- Click on “Get it on Google Play”
- Install the app from the Google Play Store
For answers to frequently asked questions about the Scratch app, visit the download page.
How To Download The Scratch Desktop App
The Scratch Version 3 desktop app enables you to create and edit Scratch projects without an internet connection. Projects created in the Offline Editor can then be exported and uploaded to the online Scratch tool, and then be shared with the Scratch community as a whole. To install the free Scratch app, follow the steps below specific to your operating system:
Windows Installation for Scratch:
1. Click the “Windows” button next to “Choose your OS:”
2. Click the “Get it from Microsoft” button
3. On the page that pops up, click on the blue “Get in Store App” button
4. Click the blue “Get” button when the Microsoft Store pops up
macOS Scratch Installation:
- Click the “macOS” button next to “Choose your OS:”
- Click on the blue link for “Direct Download”
- After the file is finished downloading, click on the .exe file to run it and install the app
ChromeOS Scratch Installation:
- Click the “ChromeOS ” button next to “Choose your OS:”
- Click on “Get it on Google Play”
- Install the app from the Google Play Store
Get Started Learning Scratch
Now that you have the app downloaded, would you like guidance learning Scratch coding? Create & Learn’s award-winning curriculum - designed by experts from MIT, Harvard, Google, and more- offers a number of live online classes to introduce students to coding. Led by a passionate teacher, students create their own games and animations while learning the fundamental concepts of programming, such as loops, conditional statements, variables, and more.
Class sizes are typically 2-5 students, which means every student has the chance to ask questions and receive teacher feedback. Younger elementary school students and those who have never coded before can start with the free Scratch Ninja intro course, while those in middle or high school can try the free Accelerated Scratch intro course. Upon completion of all of the class parts within a particular course, students will receive a certificate of completion to reward their progress!
Download Scratch For Free
Now that you have Scratch downloaded, you can take it anywhere! Code during car rides, in the woods, or wherever you’re out of reach of the internet. Once you get back to an internet connection, export that project and upload it to your online Scratch account to share with the world. Of course, before diving into coding, it’s important to learn the basics of making a Scratch game. Check out this article to learn how to create a Pong-like game while learning some beginner Scratch concepts.
Written by Create & Learn instructor Dominic Occhietti. Dominic is a graduate of Michigan State University, where he studied music performance and computer science. He thoroughly enjoys teaching, whether that be coding classes, French horn lessons, or even downhill skiing lessons!