Scratch is one of the most well-known and incredibly popular visual programming languages. It was created to help expose kids to the world of programming and young learners find it quite entertaining as well as approachable due to its kid’s friendly interface design.
Scratch uses a block-based programming language, and these blocks are easy to drag and drop for kids which makes learning how to code much easier!
Although Scratch has been a great tool to help kids set a base for starting to learn how to code, it does have its limitations.
Kids might get older; they require tougher challenges, or they simply might have explored all possible features in Scratch, and they may require a change of medium which is why it can be important to look into alternatives to Scratch.
What are the Best Scratch Alternatives for Kids?
As discussed above, many parents may need to look for alternatives for Scratch whether due to change or level of progress. We have researched and compiled the five best kid-friendly substitutes for Scratch.
Read more and find out whether either of these could be the next coding platform for your child.
1. Blockly
Blockly is an open-source visual programming language developed by Google. It has a block-based interface like Scratch, letting kids design programs by dragging and dropping blocks.
Due to its great versatility, Blockly can be combined with various programming languages, such as PHP, Python, and JavaScript. For this very reason, it helps facilitate a smooth transition for kids to text-based coding when they want to learn more after Scratch and advance further in programming.
Moreover, it can be tailored for different uses by developers by creating unique blocks. Blockly also gives us the benefit of being easily accessible on various platforms as it can be accessed from any online browser.
2. Tynker
Tynker is an educational coding environment made just for kids. It provides a large selection of coding projects and classes for all age ranges and ability levels.
It offers options to learn text-based coding languages like Python and JavaScript and uses a block-based scripting interface like Scratch. Tynker offers interactive lessons that include AI coding games, riddles, and tests.
It also aims to incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) ideas into its curriculum. Kids who like gamified and interactive learning environments will love Tynker.
It is an excellent option for children who wish to acquire a broad variety of coding abilities because of its extensive curriculum and creative tools.
3. Code.org
Code.org is a non-profit group that is devoted to increasing access to computer science education. It provides a range of free coding classes and activities to kids of all ages.
The courses offered by Code.org employ a block-based interface as well which will be easy to understand for kids that have learnt Scratch. However, it also progressively introduces text-based programming to help them shift to advanced coding languages including machine learning for kids.
Code.org has comprehensive courses with classes that address a broad range of subjects, from fundamental computer science principles to sophisticated code. It also offers teachers training and materials to help them incorporate coding into their lessons.
Code.org is a great option for parents and educators who are looking for free, outstanding coding resources as it is both accessible and informative for kids with its large collection of coding exercises.
4. Lightbot
Lightbot is an innovative educational game that uses fun puzzle gameplay to teach kids about programming concepts. The goal of the game is to help kids develop problem-solving, reasoning, and sequencing abilities in an entertaining and engaging manner.
Instead of utilizing Scratch’s classic block-based interface, Lightbot focuses on employing a set of preprogrammed commands to guide a robot to light up tiles which makes learning fun for kids. It’s also ideal for young learners because no prior coding knowledge is needed.
Also, Lightbot offers cross-platform compatibility as it can run on several operating systems, including web browsers, iOS, and Android.
It is a good option for kids who want to learn how to code but also like puzzle games as it presents basic programming ideas in an approachable and clear manner, including loops, conditionals, and procedures.
The game is a useful and entertaining teaching tool since it emphasizes problem-solving and logical reasoning.
5. Snap!
Snap! is a variation of Scratch almost like its big brother created by UC Berkeley. If your student is ready to move beyond block-based coding but finds Scratch too simplistic, this is a great intermediate step as it was designed to incorporate some more advanced programming ideas.
It helps kids dive deeper into the world of coding and develop more complex animations and games. Moreover, Snap apps may be translated into Python, Javascript, and other text-based coding languages, making the switch to these languages even easier and slowly exposing kids to advanced coding languages.
Snap is new and far less popular than Scratch which is why you may find it hard to find online resources and may require more effort than Scratch to learn.
Conclusion
You finally made it to the end! We want to add that while there are some benefits of Scratch for young coders to start, going through these alternatives mentioned above can help bring newer challenges for your kids as well as chances to help them advance and improve their coding abilities.
Each of these platforms accommodates a variety of interests and learning preferences with their special features and advantages to help your kids learn coding further.
Regardless of whether your kid is interested in web development, game development or simply wants to switch to text-based coding, there is Scratch alternative that can help them take their coding journey to the next level.
As parents and educators, it is our duty to help kids develop a wider range of abilities and cultivate a lifetime interest in technology and creativity by exposing them to diverse coding platforms.
