Scratch A-Z: The Ultimate 2025 Guide for Beginners

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Scratch has been a cornerstone in introducing children to coding for over a decade. Scratch has become one of the best platforms for young learners with its intuitive, visual programming language and its ability to engage kids in creating interactive stories, animations, and games. As of 2025, Scratch continues to evolve, offering even more opportunities for creativity and learning.

Whether you're a beginner eager to start with Scratch or a parent looking to understand the basics, this A-Z guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Scratch in 2025.

A - Animation

One of the first things kids discover when using Scratch is animation. With Scratch, you can bring characters (called sprites) to life by adding motion, changing costumes, and creating simple animations. In 2025, new animation features allow even more advanced animations, from smooth transitions to intricate character movements.

Pro Tip: Explore Scratch’s built-in motion blocks to make your sprites move, spin, or glide in fun ways!

B - Blocks

Scratch uses blocks to help kids understand programming concepts. These colorful, puzzle-piece-like blocks represent different coding commands such as movement, sound, and control. Kids drag and drop blocks to build their programs, making it a hands-on and fun way to learn the basics of coding without having to write text-based code.

C - Costumes

Each sprite in Scratch can have multiple costumes, which are images that represent the sprite in different states (like walking, jumping, or dancing). By changing costumes, you can create animations and actions in your projects. In 2025, there’s even more flexibility with custom costumes, allowing you to design your own and upload them to Scratch.

D - Designs and Drawing

Scratch allows users to design and draw their own sprites and backgrounds. Using the built-in paint editor, kids can create original artwork for their games or animations. You can also import images from your computer and modify them in Scratch.

Pro Tip: Use the Vector Mode in the paint editor for precise, scalable designs!

E - Events

Events in Scratch are the triggers that start actions in your project. For example, when you click on a sprite, it can move or speak. Common event blocks include when green flag clicked (to start the program) or when sprite clicked (to perform an action when the sprite is clicked).

F - Flags

The green flag in Scratch is often used to start projects. When you click the green flag, all the commands that are attached to the flag are executed. It's an essential tool for testing and launching your creations. In 2025, Scratch makes it easier than ever to design interactive games that begin with a simple click of the green flag.

G - Games

Scratch is an excellent platform for designing games. From platformers to puzzles and racing games, the possibilities are endless. By combining different blocks, you can create interactive gameplay, scoring systems, and challenges. In 2025, many Scratch users have taken advantage of advanced coding features to design more complex games that rival professional indie games.

H - Help and Tutorials

Scratch provides a wealth of help and tutorials for beginners. Whether you're starting a new project or learning how to use a specific block, Scratch’s tutorial section is filled with easy-to-follow guides that break down the coding process. There’s also a community forum where you can ask questions and find answers from experienced Scratch users.

Pro Tip: Check out Scratch’s Getting Started page for step-by-step tutorials to guide your first project.

I - Interactive Projects

One of the most exciting features of Scratch is the ability to create interactive projects. You can make your projects respond to user input like clicks, key presses, or mouse movements. This makes it easy to design games and simulations where users interact with your creations.

J - Join the Community

Scratch has a vibrant, supportive community where users can share their projects, give feedback, and collaborate. You can follow other creators, remix their projects (make your own version), or simply explore what others have made. The Scratch community is a great way to learn and improve your skills.

K - Keypress

The keypress block in Scratch allows you to make your sprites respond to keyboard inputs. For example, you can use the arrow keys to move a character around or have a sprite perform an action when the space bar is pressed.

Pro Tip: Use the if key pressed block to control sprite movements and add interactivity.

L - Loops

In Scratch, loops are used to repeat actions. For example, a loop can make a sprite move continuously until you stop it, or it can make a sound play repeatedly. In 2025, Scratch has enhanced its looping capabilities, making it easier to create complex, repetitive behaviors in your projects.

M - Motion

The motion blocks in Scratch allow you to move sprites around the screen. You can control how far and in what direction the sprite moves, whether it's sliding, rotating, or jumping. Motion blocks are fundamental for creating games and animations.

N - Narratives and Storytelling

Scratch is a great tool for narratives and storytelling. You can combine text, dialogue, and animation to create your own interactive stories. By using the say block and broadcast messages, you can design engaging tales where the characters react to different situations.

Pro Tip: Add backdrops and sound effects to enhance your storytelling.

O - Online Studio

Scratch has an online studio where creators can showcase their projects. You can upload your finished creations to a studio, where others can view, comment on, and even remix your work. It’s a great way to share your ideas and get inspired by others.

P - Pen Extension

The Pen extension in Scratch allows you to draw and create art within your projects. By using pen blocks, you can make your sprites "draw" on the screen, creating shapes, designs, and even animations that evolve as the project runs.

Q - Quick Projects

If you’re just getting started with Scratch, creating quick projects is a great way to dive in and practice. Start with simple projects like animating a character or making a sprite move across the screen. Over time, as you get more comfortable with the blocks, you can build more complex projects.

R - Remixing

Remixing is one of the most unique features of Scratch. If you see a project you like, you can remix it, making your own changes and adjustments. This fosters creativity and helps beginners learn by looking at and modifying existing projects. In 2025, remixed projects often serve as learning tools for new coders.

S - Sounds

Sounds are a fun way to bring your Scratch projects to life. You can add sound effects, music, and even record your own voices. Scratch’s built-in library has a variety of sounds, or you can upload your own to use in your projects.

T - Testing and Debugging

When creating projects, testing and debugging are crucial. Scratch allows you to easily run your project, test its functionality, and make adjustments. Debugging is part of the creative process, where you troubleshoot problems by checking each block and ensuring everything works as expected.

U - User Interface (UI)

As you create games and interactive projects, designing a user-friendly UI (user interface) becomes important. Scratch allows you to design buttons, score counters, and menus to enhance the player's experience. You can use variables to track scores and other data, creating a more polished project.

V - Variables

Variables in Scratch are essential for tracking and storing data, like a score or player health. You can create variables that change during the project, such as counting how many times a player jumps or tracking a player's score. This is especially useful for game development.

W - Web Access

One of the greatest things about Scratch is that it’s web-based. This means you can access your projects from any device with an internet connection. You can start a project at home and continue it at school or on a different computer, making Scratch a versatile platform for learning and creativity.

X - Xperience (Explore)

Scratch is all about exploration and experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced coder, the platform provides endless opportunities to explore, create, and learn. You can dive into different coding techniques, experiment with new blocks, and collaborate with other creators to build something amazing.

Y - Your Projects

Your projects are your creations within Scratch. These can be anything from simple animations to full-fledged games. As you continue to experiment and learn, your projects will evolve and become more complex. Don’t be afraid to start small and gradually build up your skills.

Z - Zoom In/Out

Scratch offers the ability to zoom in and out within the project editor, which is useful when working on large projects with a lot of sprites and backdrops. You can adjust the view to make it easier to work on specific sections of your project, whether it’s fine-tuning a sprite’s animation or working on the overall layout.

Scratch is the Gateway to Creativity and Coding

Scratch in 2025 remains one of the most accessible and enjoyable ways for kids and beginners to learn the fundamentals of coding. By using blocks to build projects, kids can develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and creativity—all while having fun. Whether you’re making games, stories, animations, or simulations, Scratch is the perfect platform to get started on your coding journey.

The A-Z guide shows that Scratch is not just for beginners—it’s a powerful tool that grows with you. The more you explore and create, the more you’ll learn. So, dive in, experiment, and let your creativity soar! Happy coding!

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