ScratchJr
ScratchJr is a free introductory programming app for children ages 5–7, built around making interactive stories and games.
What ScratchJr is
ScratchJr is a free introductory programming app for children ages 5–7, built around making interactive stories and games. Children snap graphical blocks together to direct characters to move, jump, dance, or sing, then customize projects with a paint editor, voices, sounds, and photos. Its learning goals include supporting cognitive, personal, social, and emotional growth. ScratchJr is developed for iPads running iOS 10 or later and Android tablets running Android 5 or later; it can also run with limitations on some Chromebooks, Apple-silicon MacBooks, Fire tablets, and Windows 11 PCs. Project importing and exporting may be limited in virtual-container environments. Projects and their images or recordings are stored locally and are not transmitted to or accessible by Scratch. The app can share projects by email, and by AirDrop on iPads. The website offers teacher-led activities and ScratchJr Connect, a free resource database. ScratchJr launched in 2014.
Good
- Free app for children ages 5–7
- Graphical blocks create interactive stories and games
- Projects can include voices, sounds, and photos
- Teacher-led activities and a free resource database
Watch out
- Importing and exporting may be limited in virtual containers
- Some supported platforms have limitations
Who it suits
It suits children ages 5–7 beginning to explore programming through creative projects. Teachers and families can also use the site's activities and resource database.
Verdict
ScratchJr offers young children a visual way to create stories and games while exploring programming. Check device compatibility first, especially for platforms beyond iPad and Android tablets.
Plans and prices
From ScratchJr's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| ScratchJr | Free | Free app for iPads, Android tablets, and Chromebooks |
The facts
Each one read from ScratchJr's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Coding
- Children snap together graphical programming blocks to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Creative tools
- Children can modify characters in the paint editor, add voices and sounds, and insert photos into projects.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Data collection
- The privacy policy says the app collects use preferences and automatically collects country-level IP and device information, and may collect usage information such as time spent in the app.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The privacy policy names Google Firebase as a service provider used to help understand the user base and app usage.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Learning goals
- ScratchJr is designed to support young children's cognitive, personal, social, and emotional growth.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Origin
- ScratchJr launched in 2014 and was developed by the DevTech Research Group, MIT Media Lab's Lifelong Kindergarten group, and the Playful Invention Company.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Project storage
- Projects, including images and sound recordings in them, are stored locally on the device and are not transmitted to or accessible by Scratch.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ScratchJr is an introductory programming language for children ages 5–7 to create interactive stories and games.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- Scratch says it uses administrative, physical, and technical procedures to protect collected information, while noting that it cannot guarantee database or transmission security.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Sharing projects
- ScratchJr projects can be shared by email, and on iPads they can also be shared with AirDrop.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs users with additional questions to [email protected].checked 7 Oct 2026
- Teaching resources
- The site offers teacher-led activities and ScratchJr Connect, a free curated database of resources, lessons, and projects.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2014checked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform limitation
- On devices running ScratchJr in a virtual container, project importing and exporting may be limited.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Supported devices
- The app is developed for iPads running iOS 10 or later and Android tablets running Android 5 or later; it can also run on some Chromebooks, Apple-silicon MacBooks, Fire tablets, and Windows 11 PCs with limitations.checked 7 Oct 2026
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