If your kid has ever begged for “just one more level” of a video game, there’s a good chance they’d love making one too. That’s basically what Scratch is built for. Developed by MIT’s Media Lab, Scratch is a block-based programming language that lets kids snap together colorful command blocks instead of typing out lines of code — and within a few sessions, they’re building animations, games, and interactive stories from scratch (pun fully intended).
The tricky part for parents isn’t convincing kids to try it — it’s figuring out where to start. Self-guided platforms can leave younger kids stuck and frustrated, while some “coding classes” are really just pre-recorded videos with little actual feedback. Below are the Scratch coding programs worth looking at, starting with the one we think does it best.
TL;DR — Quick Picks
- Best overall: Codeyoung — live 1:1 Scratch classes, adapts to your child’s pace, free trial available
- Best free option: Scratch (Official MIT Platform) — open sandbox, no instructor
- Best for classrooms/home study:org — free, structured, widely used
- Best for gamified learning: Tynker — badges and progression keep kids motivated
- Best as a bridge to text-based coding: CodeMonkey — eases into Python later
- Best for live group classes: Outschool — flexible, teacher quality varies
1. Codeyoung
Codeyoung’s live 1:1 Scratch coding classes are designed for kids ages 5–10, and the format makes a real difference. Instead of a recorded lesson or a group class where one kid dominates the mic, your child works one-on-one with a dedicated instructor who adjusts the pace based on how quickly they’re picking things up.
The curriculum runs across 144 sessions, moving from the basics of block-based coding into logic fundamentals, control flow, and eventually full interactive game design. Kids build real projects along the way — chatbots, space shooter games, dance animations using clones and broadcast commands — so the learning sticks because they’re constantly applying it to something they actually made.
The program is also STEM.org accredited, which is a useful signal if you’re choosing between a dozen options that all claim to be “the best.” Codeyoung offers a free trial class, so you can see how your child responds to the live 1:1 format before committing to anything.
Best for: Kids ages 5–10 who’d benefit from individual attention and a structured path from “what’s a loop?” to building their own games.
2. Scratch (Official MIT Platform)
Before anything else, it’s worth knowing that Scratch itself is completely free and runs directly in a browser at scratch.mit.edu. MIT built it specifically for kids, and the community is enormous — millions of projects shared publicly, many of which your child can remix and learn from.
The catch is that it’s entirely self-directed. There’s no instructor, no curriculum, and no one checking whether your child is actually learning core concepts or just dragging blocks around randomly. For a self-motivated kid who likes figuring things out independently, this can be a great sandbox. For a kid who needs structure or gets frustrated when something doesn’t work, it can stall out quickly.
Best for: Independent kids who like to explore on their own, or as a free supplement to a structured class.
3. Code.org
Code.org is a nonprofit that’s become a staple in many school classrooms, offering free Scratch-based courses through its “Creative Computing” curriculum. It’s well-organized, age-appropriate, and widely used — which means there’s a lot of supporting material if your child gets stuck.
The downside is similar to any free, large-scale platform: it’s built for broad use, not personalized feedback. If your child is working through it at home rather than in a classroom with a teacher, there’s no one to notice if they’ve misunderstood a concept until it shows up as a bigger problem two lessons later.
Best for: Families wanting a free, structured starting point, especially if a teacher or parent can sit alongside the child.
4. Tynker
Tynker takes a more gamified approach, with Scratch-like block coding wrapped in game-based challenges, badges, and progression systems. It tends to appeal to kids who respond well to game mechanics as motivation — completing levels feels like playing rather than “doing schoolwork.”
It’s subscription-based, and the quality of the experience can vary depending on which course track you pick, since Tynker offers a wide range of content beyond just Scratch-style basics. Some parents find the sheer number of options a bit overwhelming when choosing where to start.
Best for: Kids who are motivated by game-like rewards and progression systems.
5. CodeMonkey
CodeMonkey is best known for its text-based coding tracks, but it also offers block-based courses aimed at younger kids that follow a similar visual logic to Scratch. The lessons are structured around solving small puzzles, which keeps sessions short and digestible.
It’s a solid option if you’re thinking ahead — CodeMonkey’s progression from block-based to text-based coding can act as a bridge for kids who’ll eventually want to move beyond Scratch into languages like Python. Just know that the Scratch-style portion is more of an on-ramp here than the main event.
Best for: Kids who might transition to text-based coding sooner and want a platform that grows with them.
6. Outschool
Outschool isn’t a coding platform exactly — it’s a marketplace of live, small-group classes taught by independent teachers, and Scratch coding is one of many subjects offered. Class quality depends heavily on the individual teacher, so it’s worth reading reviews and checking a teacher’s background before enrolling.
The appeal is flexibility: you can find short-term classes, ongoing series, or one-off workshops, and group sizes are usually small enough for some interaction. But because it’s a marketplace rather than a dedicated coding curriculum, there’s no guaranteed progression if you want your child to build skills systematically over time.
Best for: Families who want a live group class option and are comfortable vetting individual teachers.
What to Look for in a Scratch Class
With so many options claiming to teach the “best” Scratch course, a few things actually separate the useful programs from the ones that fizzle out:
- Live instruction vs. pre-recorded videos. Kids learn coding by getting stuck and being helped through it — not by watching someone else code.
- Project-based learning. A class that has your child building actual games, animations, or interactive projects — rather than just completing isolated exercises — tends to hold attention much longer.
- Pacing that adapts. Group classes move at the speed of the group. If your child grasps something quickly or needs more time, a 1:1 format adjusts; a group class usually doesn’t.
- A clear path forward. Scratch is a starting point, not an endpoint. The better programs have a logical next step once a child outgrows block-based coding.
How to Choose the Right Fit
For most families, the decision comes down to how much structure and support your child needs versus how independent they already are.
If your child is curious but easily frustrated, or if you want to be confident they’re actually learning (not just clicking blocks), a live 1:1 program gives the most consistent results — and a free trial class is a low-risk way to test it out. If your child is more of a self-starter who enjoys tinkering, the free official Scratch platform or Code.org can be a great low-cost way to explore first.
Either way, it helps to give your child a small, concrete goal early on — something like building a simple timer or a short animation — so they have something to show for their first few sessions. A step-by-step project like building a timer in Scratch is a good example of the kind of small win that keeps kids motivated to keep going.
The Bottom Line
Scratch is one of the best ways to introduce coding to kids because it removes the intimidating parts (syntax, typing, error messages) and keeps the parts kids actually enjoy — building, creating, and seeing their ideas come to life on screen. Whether you go with a structured 1:1 program like Codeyoung, a free self-guided platform, or something in between, the most important thing is getting your child building something early, so coding feels like play rather than homework.
