Code a Coin Catcher Game in Scratch
Create a Coin Catcher game in Scratch where you code a player sprite to catch falling coins, score points, and add sound effects.
Step-by-step guide to code a coin catcher game in Scratch
How to Make a VERY EASY Catching Game on Scratch!
Step 1
Open Scratch and start a new project then rename it "Coin Catcher."
Step 2
Choose or draw a player sprite and rename it "Player."
Step 3
Add a script to the Player: when green flag clicked set x to 0 and set y to -140.
Step 4
Add a movement script to the Player: when green flag clicked forever if right arrow key pressed change x by 10 if left arrow key pressed change x by -10.
Step 5
Choose a coin sprite from the library or draw a coin and rename it "Coin."
Step 6
Add a sound to the Coin in the Sounds tab by choosing or recording a short "coin" or "pop" noise.
Step 7
Add a spawner script to the Coin: when green flag clicked forever wait 1 second create clone of myself.
Step 8
Add a clone behavior script to the Coin: when I start as a clone show go to x: pick random -200 to 200 y: 180 repeat until y < -170 change y by -5 wait 0.05 if touching Player then change score by 1 play sound (choose your coin sound) delete this clone end delete this clone.
Step 9
Create a variable named "score" for all sprites and add a script: when green flag clicked set score to 0.
Step 10
Click the green flag to test the game and try catching falling coins to make the score go up.
Step 11
Share your finished Coin Catcher game on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I can't find the Coin sprite or a coin sound in the Scratch library?
If you can't find a coin sprite or a coin sound, draw a simple yellow circle as the 'Coin' in the Costumes tab and record or upload any short 'pop' or 'coin' sound in the Sounds tab to use when you follow the 'Add a sound to the Coin' step.
Why aren't coins appearing, disappearing, or increasing the score when caught?
If coins don't appear, disappear, or change the score, make sure the Coin has the spawner script 'when green flag clicked forever wait 1 second create clone of myself', the clone script 'when I start as a clone' contains the 'if touching Player then change score by 1 play sound delete this clone' check, and that you created the 'score' variable and set it to 0 at the start.
How can I adapt the game for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, slow the game by changing the clone fall speed (increase 'wait 0.05' to 'wait 0.1' and lower 'change y by -5'), make the Player larger, and increase the spawner wait (e.g., 'wait 1.5 seconds'), while for older kids speed things up by decreasing those waits, increasing 'change y by' and adding features like a 'lives' variable or levels using broadcasts.
What are simple ways to extend or personalize the Coin Catcher game?
You can personalize the project by adding multiple coin costumes with different point values and clone scripts, a custom backdrop, sound effects for misses, a 'high score' variable, and level changes triggered with 'broadcast' messages before sharing the finished game on DIY.org as instructed.
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Facts about Scratch programming and game design
🎮 Scratch was created at the MIT Media Lab and launched to the public in 2007.
🐱 The Scratch Cat is the platform's friendly mascot and is the default sprite in many starter projects.
🧩 Scratch uses colorful drag-and-drop coding blocks that fit together like puzzle pieces—great for beginners.
🎵 Adding a little coin chime or pop sound gives instant feedback and makes catching coins feel awesome.
🪙 Falling-object games (like catching coins) are a classic way to learn collision detection and scoring mechanics.
