Scratch Review: The Best Free Coding Platform for Kids (2025)

If your child is curious about coding, loves video games, or wants to bring their creative ideas to life, then Scratch is the perfect place to start!

I first introduced my son, Luke, to coding through Khan Academy, but after a while, he lost interest. I wanted to find a platform that kept things fun, interactive, and easy to understand—that’s when I discovered Scratch.

What is Scratch?

Scratch is the world’s largest coding community for kids and a free visual programming language. It was designed by the Scratch Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching children how to think creatively, solve problems, and express themselves through code.

With Scratch, kids can design games, create animations, remix projects, and share their work with a safe online community. The platform is available in 70+ languages, making it accessible to children worldwide!

“I created video games, animations, memes, and art on Scratch. I love how easy it makes coding and drawing, the friendly community, and how everything is organized on the site.” — Luke

Why Kids Love Scratch

• Super Simple & Fun – Scratch uses drag-and-drop coding blocks, making it perfect for beginners.

• Create Anything – Whether it’s a game, cartoon, music video, or interactive story, kids can bring their ideas to life.

• A Safe Community – Scratch has strict community guidelines, so parents can feel confident letting their children explore.

• Learning Without Realizing It – While having fun, kids improve their problem-solving skills, creativity, and even math and spelling!

How Scratch Works

Scratch’s user-friendly interface is designed to be intuitive for kids. The coding area is divided into three sections:
✔ Blocks Palette – Drag and drop colorful code blocks like LEGO pieces.
✔ Scripts Area – Arrange blocks to create actions and animations.
✔ Stage & Sprites – The place where projects come to life!

Scratch follows the motto “Imagine, Program, Share”—kids come up with ideas, build them in Scratch, and share them with others.

Is Scratch Really Free?

Yes! Scratch is 100% free with no hidden costs. Unlike many educational platforms, it offers full access to all its features without any paywalls.

Final Thoughts

Luke has learned so much from Scratch, and I highly recommend it for children aged 8 to 16. Whether they want to code for fun or see if programming is their passion, Scratch is a fantastic starting point.

Want more great educational resources? Check out our post on safe educational videos for kids!