If you’re looking to dive into the world of coding and game development, Scratch is the perfect starting point. Scratch is a free, educational programming language designed for beginners, especially kids. It uses a visual, block-based approach and emphasizes creativity and collaboration.
With countless resources available on YouTube, learning Scratch is both accessible and fun, making it possible to create your own games, animations, and interactive projects in no time. In this article, we’re going to share some of the best video courses available on YouTube to learn Scratch for free.
If you’re looking for an even more comprehensive, beginner-friendly resource, check out the JR Coder Mini-Degree at Zenva Academy.
Table of contents
What is Scratch?
Scratch is a visual programming language designed especially for beginners to learn the principles of coding. Developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT Media Lab, Scratch teaches programming concepts by allowing users to create games, animations, and more through a simple drag-and-drop interface. Its intended audience is mainly children and teens, but its user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to begin their coding journey, regardless of age.
What Kinds of Projects Can Scratch Be Used For?
With Scratch, the opportunities are limitless. Some of the most popular projects created using Scratch include:
- Interactive stories and animations
- 2D games (platformers, puzzle games, simulations)
- Interactive art and music projects
- Math and science simulations
- Educational tools for various subjects
Scratch’s versatility helps develop a strong foundation in coding while promoting creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Why Scratch is a Great Learning Tool
Scratch stands out as an ideal starting point for learning programming for several reasons:
- It offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface, making it easy for beginners to start coding quickly.
- It promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are vital for future programming endeavors.
- It cultivates a sense of creativity as users can design their projects from scratch, giving them complete control over the appearance and functionality.
- Scratch has an extensive and supportive online community, allowing users to share their projects, exchange ideas, and receive feedback from experienced coders.
Why You Should Learn to Use Scratch
Learning to code with Scratch not only helps build valuable programming skills but also encourages users to think creatively and innovatively. As a beginner, it’s an engaging and accessible way to get started with coding and can build confidence for tackling more advanced programming languages in the future.
How to Learn More Coding After Learning Scratch
After gaining a solid foundation in programming with Scratch, you can move on to more advanced languages that will open up a world of possibilities, such as web development, software engineering, or game development. Some popular languages to explore after gaining experience with Scratch are Python, JavaScript, and C#.
Best Video Courses to Learn Scratch for Free on YouTube
Below is a list of the best resources from Zenva and other sources to help you learn Scratch for free on YouTube. These collections of tutorials cater to learners at various stages of proficiency, offering in-depth explanations and examples to get you started on your coding journey.
Zenva YouTube Channel
Starting with our very own resource, the Zenva YouTube channel offers a broad range of tutorials suitable for beginners in programming and game development.
Here, you can find videos that teach everything from basic concepts to building your first game using Scratch, as part of larger curriculum packages like the JR Coder Mini-Degree.
Official Scratch YouTube Channel
The official Scratch YouTube channel should be on the top of your list as it is brought to you by the creators of the language themselves. With various tutorials and resources, this channel not only helps users learn Scratch but also encourages sharing your creations within the online community.
Beginner’s Guide to Scratch
This beginner’s guide to Scratch offers a fast and easy introduction to coding using Scratch. Covering the basics of programming, the video provides valuable content mapped to the computing curriculum.
Scratch Basics Tutorial
For a more specific tutorial on Scratch basics, check out this video, which teaches you how to make characters move and draw using Scratch. The tutorial’s creator offers additional resources for more in-depth learning on their website.
Fun Scratch Coding Tutorials by Griffpatch
Created by an enthusiast coder, Griffpatch’s Fun Scratch Coding Tutorials cater to learners of all levels. Ranging from fundamental concepts to more advanced topics, these tutorials teach you how to create exciting games like platformers, scrollers, and physics-based games using Scratch’s block coding language.
Scratch 3 Animated Scene Series
This series on Scratch 3 focuses on creating animated scenes with sounds, movement, and characters. It’s the perfect starting point for someone looking to develop their first animated project using Scratch.
Conclusion
Scratch is an excellent programming language for those who want to explore the world of coding and game development. YouTube is a fantastic resource, filled with expert and beginner-friendly tutorials that make learning Scratch free, accessible, and engaging.
Don’t forget to check out Zenva’s JR Coder Mini-Degree if you’re looking for a more comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to learn Scratch and kickstart your coding journey.
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