Scratch Coding First Animation Project
Create a simple animation in Scratch — MIT's free visual coding platform. Drag, drop, and stack code blocks to make a character move, talk, and react.
What You'll Need
- 1Computer or tablet with internet access
- 2Web browser (scratch.mit.edu)
What You'll Need
A computer or tablet with internet access
A web browser — go to scratch.mit.edu
How to Play
Go to scratch.mit.edu and click "Create."
The cat is your character. "Our code tells the cat what to do."
Drag a "when green flag clicked" block from Events. This is the start button.
Snap "move 10 steps" underneath. Click the green flag — the cat moves!
Add "say Hello! for 2 seconds." Now the cat moves and talks.
Add "wait 1 seconds" to control timing between actions.
Challenge: make the cat walk across, speak, turn around, and walk back.
Why It Works
Scratch is the most widely used coding platform for children, developed by MIT. Its visual block-based approach removes syntax errors (the #1 frustration in text-based coding) and lets kids focus on logic and creativity. Your child is learning sequencing, conditionals, loops, and event-driven programming — all genuine computer science concepts — by making a character do fun things on screen.
Tips
Let your child explore freely after the initial walkthrough. Discovery is the best teacher in Scratch.
The "repeat" block introduces loops: "repeat 10 [move 10 steps, wait 0.1 secs]" creates smooth walking.
Encourage your child to browse other people's projects on Scratch for inspiration. You can see and remix any public project.
Save the project! Creating an account (free, with parent email) lets your child save and share.
This is a gateway. Once Scratch clicks, the natural progression is to Python, JavaScript, or other text-based languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 45 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: computer or tablet with internet access, web browser (scratch.mit.edu).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 8-12 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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