Designing a Simple Game with Scratch

For kids

Let's learn how to make your own fun, interactive game using Scratch! Scratch is a free, kid-friendly programming language where you can create games, stories, and animations by dragging and dropping blocks of code.

What is Scratch?

Scratch is a visual programming language created by MIT. Instead of typing complicated code, you use colorful blocks that snap together like puzzle pieces. This makes it easy and fun to learn how to code. You can find Scratch online at the Scratch website and create an account to save your projects. Let's explore how you can make a simple game!

Creating a Simple "Catch the Apple" Game

In this game, you'll control a character with the arrow keys to catch falling apples. Here's how to get started:

1. Get Ready: Open Scratch and create a new project. You'll see a cat sprite (a character) on the stage (the game screen).
2. Choose Your Characters: Delete the cat sprite by clicking the trash can icon. Click the "Choose a Sprite" button (the cat icon in the bottom right) and select a character you like. Then, add an apple sprite the same way.
3. Make the Apple Fall: Click on the apple sprite. Go to the "Events" category and drag out the "when green flag clicked" block. This tells the game what to do when you press the green flag to start.
4. Move the Apple Down: Drag out a "forever" block from the "Control" category and place it under the "when green flag clicked" block. Inside the "forever" block, add these blocks:
   • "set y to" to -100 (from the "Motion" category)
   • "go to x: (pick random -200 to 200) y: 150" (from the "Motion" category)
   • "change y by -5" (from the "Motion" category)
   • "wait 0.1 seconds" (from the "Control" category).
5. Move the Player: Click on your player sprite. Add the following code under the "when green flag clicked" block:
   • "forever" (from the "Control" category)
   • Inside the "forever" block, add:
   • "if key right arrow pressed?" (from the "Sensing" category)
   • "change x by 10" (from the "Motion" category)
   • "if key left arrow pressed?" (from the "Sensing" category)
   • "change x by -10" (from the "Motion" category)
6. Add a Score: Create a new variable called "Score" by clicking the "Variables" category and then "Make a Variable." Add this code to your player sprite:
   • "when green flag clicked"
   • "set score to 0" (from the "Variables" category)
   • "forever"
   • "if touching apple?" (from the "Sensing" category)
   • "change score by 1" (from the "Variables" category)
   • "play sound 'pop' until done" (from the "Sound" category)
   • "go to x: (pick random -200 to 200) y: 150" (from the "Motion" category)

Making it More Fun

You can add more features to your game! Try these:

• Change the Background: Click on the "Stage" in the bottom right corner, then click "Backdrops." Choose a backdrop from the library or draw your own!
• Add More Apples: Duplicate the apple sprite and change its starting position and speed in the code.
• Add a Game Over: Add a condition that stops the game if the player touches the bottom of the screen (using the "if" and "touching edge?" blocks).

Have fun creating your own games! Remember, coding is all about experimenting and learning from your mistakes. Keep practicing, and you'll become a game-making pro in no time!