Kids can learn visual programming in 3 easy online lessons while schools are closed.

Anyone can learn to code.  We created this short three video visual programming course for elementary children ages 6 to 14. This short take home challenge is designed to help kids learn how to program with Scratch, the visual programming language.

These lessons are designed so that a child can do them with or without a parent’s help.  If your busy, don’t worry, we designed these videos so they show all the steps. Your child can work through them with or without your help.  We only ask that you help your child signup for the free Scratch account in part 1 because this requires an email address.

If you have any questions about any of the video lessons, please post your question in the comments of the respective YouTube video.  We will get a notification and we will answer your question with a follow up comment. Every question is a good question, and everyone will benefit from it.  To see the comments section in YouTube for a video, play the video on this page.  Next hover over the video with your mouse or tablet to see the watch on YouTube button in the bottom right of the video controls right next to the full screen button.

We want you to succeed, and we are here to help you learn to program in Scratch.

Before you begin, we would like to ask you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and enable notifications.  We will creating more videos to show you how to make different kinds of video games.  We don’t want you to miss out on all the fun.  Click on the below button to subscribe.

Before we begin, watch this short, step by step, video on how to setup a free Scratch account.  You will need a parent’s help if you are under the age of 13 or if you do not have an email address.

We suggest that you watch the video in full screen mode in order to see all the details of the signup process.

You must confirm your email address in order to be able to share your programs on the board in the final part of this series.

In this first lesson we will explain what a computer program is  and what Scratch is.  Then we will show you step by step how to make your first computer program.  The only way to learn programming is to try it.  We encourage you to try to make this program on your own or with the help of a parent.

In this second lesson, we will explain how to plan your computer program.  Planning how a program will work is a very important skill that you will need to practice to become better at making bigger, more complex programs.   We will show you step by step how to make your first video game in this lesson.  Remember, the only way to learn programming is by doing.  We encourage you to try to make the Fruit Chase game by yourself, with friends, or with a parent.

Sign into your Scratch account you created in step 1.  Then make your own version of the Fruit Chase video game.  You can choose your own fruit and add your own background.  You can even add your own sounds.  Make it your own creation.  Watch the below video on how to add your game to the Scratch Studio.  Then when your ready, click the below button to go to the Scratch Studio to add your game.

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