Let's Start with a Simple Scratch Project

Planning Your First Project

Now that you’re familiar with Scratch’s features, it’s time to start planning your very own project! Don’t worry—planning isn’t about complicated charts or endless notes. It’s just about having a clear idea of what you want to create before jumping in. A little planning saves lots of time and makes your project way more awesome!

Why Plan?

Think of planning as drawing a map before you go on an adventure. It helps you:

• Stay focused on your goal (so you don’t get lost or stuck)
• Break a big idea into easy, bite-sized steps
• Spot problems and brainstorm solutions before you start

Step 1: Pick a Fun Project Idea

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to make a game, a short story, or an animation?
• What will my sprite(s) do?
• What’s the goal of my project (for example, catch the apples, tell a joke, or reach the end of a maze)?

Example Ideas:

• A game where a cat chases a mouse
• A story about a superhero saving the day
• An animation of a sunrise

Step 2: List the Main Parts

Take a mini “inventory”:

• Sprites: Who are the main characters or objects? (e.g., cat, apple, basket)
• Backdrop: Where does your project happen? (e.g., city, park, space)
• Actions: What do you want to happen? (e.g., jump, collect, talk)

Step 3: Sketch It Out (Optional but Fun!)

Grab a pencil and paper and draw a quick sketch of your project. Where are your sprites? What does the background look like? Even a stick-figure doodle helps!

Step 4: Plan the Interactions

Ask:

• How does the player control the sprite? (arrow keys, mouse clicks, etc.)
• What should happen when the player wins or loses?
• Will there be sound effects or special effects?

Step 5: Break into Steps

Write down the steps in order—like a recipe!

1. Add a sprite and backdrop
2. Make the sprite move with arrow keys
3. Add an object to collect or an obstacle to avoid
4. Set up a scoring system or end condition

Helpful Tips:

• Keep your first project simple! You can add more features once you’ve got the basics working.
• If you get stuck, look at Scratch tutorials or browse the community for inspiration.

Ready to Build? With your plan in mind, you’re set up for success. The next step is putting your plan into action and building your project block by block. Don’t be afraid to experiment—sometimes the best ideas pop up while you’re building!

Building the Project Step-by-Step

This is the most exciting part—turning your ideas into a real Scratch project! Don’t worry about being perfect. The best way to learn is by doing, experimenting, and having fun along the way. Here’s a simple way to build your project from start to finish:

Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace

• Go to scratch.mit.edu and click “Create.”
• Give your project a name by clicking “Untitled” at the top—try something fun, like “Catch the Apples Game” or “Dino Dance Party!”

Step 2: Add Sprites and Backdrop

• Click the cat icon to choose your main sprite, or even draw your own.
• Add or change your backdrop by clicking the scenery icon—pick one that matches your story or game.

Step 3: Code Your Main Character (Sprite)

• Select your sprite and begin with an event block, such as “when green flag clicked.”
• Want your sprite to move? Try “move 10 steps” or use arrow key controls:
  • “when right arrow key pressed” —> “change x by 10”
  • “when left arrow key pressed” —> “change x by -10”
• Add flair! Let your sprite say “Let’s go!” or play a sound to start.

Step 4: Add Interactivity

• Make your sprite do something when it touches another sprite. For example, if your game is catching apples:
  • Add an apple sprite.
  • Use the “if touching [apple] then…” block to trigger a response (like say “Yay!” or increase your score).
• Use the “repeat” or “forever” blocks for continuous actions, such as a falling apple.

Step 5: Add a Simple Score System

• Click “Variables” and create a new variable called “Score.”
• At the start of your game, set “Score” to 0.
• Each time your sprite catches an apple, use “change Score by 1.”

Step 6: Test as You Go

• Click the green flag to test your project after adding each new feature.
• If something doesn’t work, don’t panic! Check your blocks, or see if swapping the order helps.
• Ask yourself: Does it do what I want? What can I tweak to make it more fun?

Step 7: Add Finishing Touches

• Try sound effects, costume changes, or fun messages.
• Maybe add a “Game Over” message when time runs out or a certain score is reached.

Step 8: Save and Share

• Click “Save Now” so your hard work isn’t lost.
• When you’re proud of your project, click “Share” and give it a cool description. Invite friends or family to try it out!

Pro Tips:

• Don’t be afraid to experiment—sometimes, happy accidents make the coolest features.
• Browse other public Scratch projects for inspiration or to see how others solve problems.

Remember: Every expert coder started with a first project just like this. Celebrate your progress and keep building!

Testing and Debugging the Project

You’ve built your project—awesome work! 🚀 But even the best projects sometimes get a little glitchy. Testing and debugging are simply part of the process. Think of it as playing detective to make your project work its best!

1. Why Test Your Project?

Testing is when you:

• Play your game or run your animation from start to finish.
• See if everything works the way you imagined.
• Check for any unexpected surprises (sprites behaving strangely, score not increasing, etc.).

2. How to Test Like a Pro

• Click the Green Flag: Start your project just like a player would. Try all the controls—does your sprite move? Do sounds play? Is the score counting up?
• Try Everything: Press all the buttons or keys you coded. What happens if you purposely let your sprite miss an apple, or bump into the edge?
• Let Someone Else Try: Ask a friend or family member to play your game. They might do things you didn’t expect and help you spot hidden bugs!

3. What is Debugging?

Debugging means finding and fixing mistakes in your code. It’s a normal part of creating any project—even professional coders do it every day!

Common Issues & Easy Fixes:

• Sprite Doesn’t Move: Check if you attached your code blocks to the correct events (like “when green flag clicked” or “when arrow key pressed”).
• No Sound: Make sure the “play sound [sound name]” block is connected and that you’ve picked a real sound.
• Score Not Changing: Double-check your variable blocks—are you using “change Score by 1” at the right moment?
• Sprite Disappears or Gets Stuck: Look at any “go to” or “if touching edge then” blocks—are the positions correct?

Tips for Successful Debugging:

• Go Step by Step: Test one change at a time to see what works.
• Use the “Say” Block for Clues: Make a sprite say “I touched the apple!” to check if your “if touching” codes are running.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: The Scratch community and tutorials are full of ideas and solutions.
• Take a Break: Sometimes, a short walk or snack helps you see the problem with fresh eyes!

Celebrate Your Fixes! Every bug you solve is a win and makes you a stronger coder. Debugging isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s how you learn to create better, more awesome projects.