Scratch Coding Classes for Kids: What I Found Comparing Official Scratch to 6 Other Options

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When my child first asked about coding, I did what most parents do — I searched “Scratch coding classes for kids” and got a wall of results. What I didn’t realize at first is that “Scratch” itself isn’t really a class. It’s a free, open-ended creative tool built by MIT, with no curriculum, no teacher, and no plan for what comes after the basics.

That distinction matters more than it sounds. Below is what I found comparing the official Scratch platform against the structured programs built around it — starting with a quick comparison, then a closer look at each.

Quick Comparison: Scratch Learning Options for Kids

1. Codeyoung — The One That Actually Felt Like a Class

Out of everything I looked at, Codeyoung was the one that didn’t just hand my kid a tool and walk away.

Why it made more sense than Scratch on its own

Here’s the thing about Scratch: it’s a sandbox, not a syllabus. MIT built it that way on purpose, and for some kids that openness is exactly what they need. But for a lot of kids — including mine, at first — it meant a lot of clicking around without much sense of why anything worked. There was no one to notice when my kid was just copying a tutorial instead of understanding it, and no obvious “what’s next” once the novelty wore off.

Codeyoung uses the same Scratch interface kids already recognize, but adds the parts that were missing for us:

• A real curriculum(STEM.org-accredited) that introduces concepts like sequencing, loops, and variables in an order that actually builds on itself
• Live, 1:1 mentors, so when my kid got stuck or confused, someone noticed right away instead of it going unaddressed
• A path forward— Scratch leads into Python, web development, app development, even Generative AI, so there’s no dead end once Scratch is mastered (which, in our experience, happened faster than I expected)
• A free trial class, which made it easy to compare directly against just doing Scratch on our own first

If Scratch is the toolbox, Codeyoung is the person showing your kid how to actually build something with it — and what to build next.

Pros:

• Live 1:1 mentors who catch confusion in real time
• Structured, accredited curriculum instead of trial-and-error
• Clear progression path beyond Scratch (Python, web dev, app dev, GenAI)
• Free trial class to test before committing

Cons:

• Paid program, unlike most other options on this list
• Live scheduling means less flexibility than self-paced platforms

2. Scratch (MIT) — Still a Great Free Starting Point

To be fair to Scratch: it’s genuinely impressive, and it’s free. Built by MIT’s Media Lab, it’s the most widely used coding platform for kids in the world, and the drag-and-drop blocks let kids build games, animations, and stories without typing a line of traditional code.

It’s based on “constructionist learning” — an idea from MIT professor Seymour Papert that kids learn best by building things they actually care about, not by sitting through lessons. ScratchJr extends this to younger kids, ages 5–7. The community side is also reasonably well-moderated, with email verification required and clear guidelines in place.

The downside, for us, was the lack of structure. There’s no teacher, no curriculum, nobody checking in. If your kid is the type to dive in and figure things out on their own, this might be all they need. If they need a bit more direction, it can lead to the same kind of project on repeat.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Built on a genuinely solid educational philosophy
• ScratchJr makes it accessible from age 5

Cons:

• No curriculum or structured progression
• No teacher or feedback loop
• Easy for kids to plateau or repeat similar projects
• No guidance on what to learn after Scratch

Best for: Independent, curious kids — or as a free add-on alongside something more structured.

3. Code.org — A Solid Free, School-Aligned Option

Code.org is a nonprofit aimed at making computer science accessible, with age-based courses starting from age four. Their well-known “Hour of Code” activities use Scratch-style blocks to teach programming through games and storytelling — and often line up with what schools are already doing.

Pros:

• Free
• Aligns with what many schools already teach
• Wide age range (4–18)
• Structured course progression by grade level

Cons:

• No live teacher or personalized feedback
• Less creative freedom than open Scratch
• Can feel more like schoolwork than play for some kids

Best for: Parents who want something free that mirrors classroom computer science.

4. theCoderSchool — Good for One-on-One Coaching

theCoderSchool runs Scratch instruction through camps, after-school programs, and online sessions, with small groups and private “Code Coaching.” Their progression model — they call it the “Coder Tree” — starts with fundamentals like game logic and variables, then branches into more advanced areas like Unity, 3D engines, and AI.

Pros:

• Low student-to-teacher ratios
• Long-term progression model beyond Scratch
• Flexible formats (camps, after-school, online)

Cons:

• Paid, and pricing can vary by location
• Availability may depend on whether there’s a location near you
• Less brand-name recognition than larger platforms

Best for: Families wanting a highly personalized pace and a longer-term plan.

5. CodeMonkey — A Gentle Step Toward Real Code

CodeMonkey is game-based — kids write actual code to guide a character through puzzles. It introduces text-based syntax earlier than most platforms, but in a low-stakes, game-like way, making it a reasonable bridge between Scratch’s visual blocks and “real” programming languages.

Pros:

• Game-based format keeps kids engaged
• Introduces real text-based syntax early but gently
• Freemium — free tier available before upgrading

Cons:

• Less focus on Scratch specifically, more on transitioning away from it
• Paid tiers needed for full curriculum
• Not ideal for kids who want pure creative/open-ended projects

Best for: Ages 6–10, especially homeschooling families.

6. Tynker — Lots of Projects to Choose From

Tynker combines game-based learning with Scratch-style blocks and offers a large library of projects. It’s a solid self-paced choice for kids who like having plenty of options.

Pros:

• Huge library of projects and lessons
• Freemium model with a usable free tier
• Familiar block-based interface for kids coming from Scratch

Cons:

• No live instructor or feedback
• Paid subscription needed for full content access
• Can feel scattered without a clear learning path

Best for: Self-motivated kids who like variety.

What I’d Ask Before Choosing

A few questions that helped me sort through the options:

• Live teacher or self-paced? A live teacher catches confusion early. Self-paced works better for kids who are already independent.
• Is there a free trial? Any paid platform worth considering should let you try it first.
• Is it age-appropriate? Scratch generally works well from around age 8, with ScratchJr for ages 5–7.
• What happens after Scratch? Most kids move past it within a few months — it’s worth picking something with a next step built in.

Where We Landed

Free options like Scratch, Code.org, and Tynker are genuinely good places to start, and there’s no reason not to try them first. But once it became clear my kid was ready for more than drag-and-drop blocks, having an actual teacher and a plan made a real difference.

Codeyoung’sLive online Scratch Coding classes for kids gave us the same Scratch environment my kid already liked, but with a curriculum, real feedback, and somewhere to go next — plus a free trial class if you want to see for yourself before committing.

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