For kids aged 5-7, ScratchJr offers a fun and engaging way to dive into the world of programming by dragging colorful blocks to create programs that make characters move! This introductory programming language is designed for young children, enabling them to craft their own interactive stories and games. By snapping together graphical programming blocks, children can make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. They can also personalize their projects by modifying characters in the paint editor, adding their voices and sounds, or even inserting photos of themselves, then using the programming blocks to bring their creations to life.

ScratchJr draws inspiration from the well-known Scratch programming language (http://scratch.mit.edu), which is used by millions of young people aged 8 and up worldwide. To cater to younger audiences, the interface and programming language of ScratchJr were thoughtfully redesigned to be developmentally appropriate. The features were carefully crafted to align with young children's cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development stages.

We view coding, or computer programming, as a vital new form of literacy. Much like writing, coding helps children organize their thoughts and express their ideas. While coding was once considered too complex for the general public, we believe it should be accessible to everyone, just as writing is.

As young children engage with ScratchJr, they learn to create and express themselves through the computer, rather than just using it passively. This process helps them develop problem-solving skills, design projects, and enhance their sequencing abilities, which are crucial for future academic success. Additionally, ScratchJr integrates math and language in a meaningful and motivating way, fostering early childhood numeracy and literacy. With ScratchJr, kids aren't just learning to code; they are coding to learn.

ScratchJr is a collaborative effort between the Developmental Technologies group at Tufts University, the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, and the Playful Invention Company. Two Sigma spearheaded the development of the Android version of ScratchJr. The vibrant graphics and illustrations were crafted by HvingtQuatre Company and Sarah Thomson.

If you enjoy using this free app, please consider supporting the Scratch Foundation (http://www.scratchfoundation.org), a nonprofit organization that sustains ScratchJr. Your donations, no matter the size, are greatly appreciated.

This version of ScratchJr is compatible only with tablets that have a screen size of 7 inches or larger and run Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) or higher.

For more information, please refer to our Terms of Use: http://www.scratchjr.org/eula.html

What's New in the Latest Version 1.5.11

Last updated on Nov 28, 2023

This update includes minor bug fixes and improvements. Install or update to the newest version to experience these enhancements!