Finish Your First Scratch Game!
Finish and polish your first Scratch game by adding sprites, sounds, scoring, simple levels, and debugging while testing playability and using creativity.
About this tutorial
Finish and polish your first Scratch game by adding sprites, sounds, scoring, simple levels, and debugging while testing playability and using creativity.
What you need
Step by step
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Step 1
Open your Scratch project in the Scratch editor so you can continue where you left off.
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Step 2
Click the green flag and play your game to see what already works and what needs finishing.
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Step 3
Write down three improvements or features you want to add like new sprites sounds scoring or levels.
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Step 4
Add or choose one new sprite from the library or draw one in the paint editor.
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Step 5
Give that sprite movement by adding blocks for arrow keys or mouse control.
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Step 6
Add or upload one sound effect into your project from the Sounds tab.
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Step 7
Put a play sound block into a sprite script so the new sound plays during an action.
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Step 8
Create a variable called Score in the Variables menu.
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Step 9
Add a block that sets Score to 0 when the green flag is clicked.
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Step 10
Add blocks that increase Score when the player collects an item or hits a target.
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Step 11
Make a new backdrop to act as a simple second level or different game area.
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Step 12
Add code that switches to the new backdrop when the player reaches the level goal.
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Step 13
Play your game from start to finish and write down any bugs or parts that feel unfair.
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Step 14
Fix one bug you found by changing blocks sprites or settings so the game works better.
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Step 15
Share your finished Scratch game on DIY.org so everyone can see and play your creation.
Fun facts
How do you finish your first Scratch game?
Start by listing features you want: sprites, sound, scoring, and a simple level flow. Add or create sprites and backdrops, then script movement and collision detection. Make a score variable and update it on events (like collecting items). Add sounds from the library or record them. Build levels by changing backdrops or using a level variable and increasing difficulty. Playtest often, use debugging blocks (say/watch variables), fix bugs, save versions, and polish visuals and timing for better pl
What materials do I need for Finish Your First Scratch Game?
You need a computer or tablet with the Scratch website or the offline Scratch editor, plus a keyboard and mouse or touchscreen. A Scratch account helps save and share projects. Optional items: headphones, a microphone to record sounds, sketch paper for planning, and basic image or sound-editing tools. Also gather time, patience, and access to Scratch tutorials or example projects for ideas and guidance.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
Finishing a first Scratch game works well for children around 8–14 learning independently. Younger kids (6–7) can participate with adult guidance, while teens and older kids can build more complex features. Adjust tasks to skill level: simpler sprites and fewer scripts for beginners, added variables and levels for advanced learners. Supervision is recommended for account setup, online sharing, and when using microphones or external resources.
What are the benefits of finishing a Scratch game?
Completing a Scratch game teaches coding basics like sequencing, events, and variables while strengthening problem-solving and debugging skills. It fosters creativity through sprite design and storytelling, builds persistence from testing and fixing bugs, and improves logical thinking. Sharing projects boosts confidence and collaboration. The activity is a safe, hands-on way to practice computational thinking and project planning that transfers to other STEM and creative tasks.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
If I can't access the online Scratch editor or upload sounds, what can I use instead?
Use Scratch Desktop (offline) or ScratchJr on a tablet and choose sprites from the built‑in library or record/pick a sound in the Sounds tab instead of uploading.
My new sprite won't move or the sound doesn't play—what should I check?
Make sure you have the correct sprite selected when you add 'when [key] key pressed' or mouse-control blocks, place the 'play sound' block inside that sprite's script, and click the green flag so the 'set Score to 0' and other start scripts run.
How can I adapt this project for younger kids or older kids?
For younger kids, keep it simple by choosing a library sprite, adding one arrow-key movement block and a built-in sound, while older kids can implement the Score variable, create additional backdrops as new levels, and use broadcasts or cloning for advanced interactions.
What are quick ways to extend or personalize the game before sharing it?
Add extra costumes to animate your sprite, use clones to spawn more collectibles that increase Score, design an extra backdrop as a bonus level and add unique sounds in the Sounds tab, then share the finished project on DIY.org.