Make an Interesting Story With Scratch - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Make an Interesting Story With Scratch

Create an interactive animated story in Scratch by designing sprites, backgrounds, dialogues, and simple code blocks to tell a fun, user-controlled tale.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make an interesting story with Scratch

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How to Create an Epic Story in Scratch (with Examples!)

What you need

Scratch account or scratch desktop, paper, pencil, coloring materials, adult supervision required

Step 1

Open Scratch by signing in or launching the Scratch desktop and click Create to start a new project.

Step 2

On your paper write a short story idea with a clear beginning middle and end in two or three sentences.

Step 3

In Scratch choose a sprite from the library or click Paint to draw your main character.

Step 4

Add one or two more sprites for friends or props by choosing or painting them.

Step 5

Click the Backdrops tab and create at least two different backdrops for your story scenes.

Step 6

Select your main character sprite and add a when green flag clicked block to start its script.

Step 7

Attach say blocks to the main character's script to make it speak the first lines of your story.

Step 8

Add a when this sprite clicked block plus a broadcast block on a sprite to send a message like "next" for advancing the story.

Step 9

On the Stage add a when I receive block to change the backdrop and show or hide sprites when the broadcast happens.

Step 10

Create two choice-button sprites and make each one broadcast a different message so the viewer can pick the story path.

Step 11

Save your project with a fun title to keep your work safe.

Step 12

Share your finished creation on DIY.org.

Help!?

I can't access the Scratch desktop or Paint to draw a sprite; what can I use instead?

Use the online editor at scratch.mit.edu and either pick a sprite from the library, upload a PNG as a sprite, or use the built‑in backdrop uploader instead of Paint.

My broadcasts don't change the backdrop or hide sprites—what might be wrong and how do I fix it?

Check that the exact message text on the choice-button's 'broadcast' block matches the Stage's 'when I receive' block and that your show/hide blocks are attached to the script that runs after that broadcast.

How can I change the activity for a 5-year-old versus a 12-year-old?

For younger kids use one main character, two simple backdrops, 'say' blocks, and single-click choice-buttons, while older kids can add multiple costumes, sound recordings, variables, extra broadcasts, and branching scenes for more complexity.

How can we extend or personalize the story after finishing the basic steps?

Add animated costume changes, use sound blocks to record voices or effects, create more branch‑choice sprites that broadcast different scenes, and then save with a fun title and share it on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make an interesting story with Scratch

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to make an interactive story on scratch!

4 Videos

Facts about Scratch and block-based programming

🐱 Scratch's mascot is the Scratch Cat and kids worldwide have created tens of millions of projects on the platform.

🧑‍🏫 Scratch was created by MIT's Lifelong Kindergarten group to help kids learn coding through playful creation.

🎮 Interactive stories in Scratch can let players pick choices, turning a tale into a simple game.

🎨 You animate sprites in Scratch by switching costumes and moving them a few steps each frame to create smooth motion.

🧩 Scratch uses colorful code blocks that snap like puzzle pieces so kids learn programming logic without typing.

How do I create an interactive animated story in Scratch?

Start by opening Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) and creating a new project. Plan your story with a simple storyboard: scenes, characters, and choices. Add sprites and backgrounds, then use "when green flag clicked" to start scenes. Use motion, looks (say, think) and sound blocks for animation and dialogue. Use messages/broadcasts or clickable sprites/keyboard inputs for user choices. Test each scene, fix bugs, then share or remix with friends.

What materials do I need to make an interactive Scratch story?

Needed: a computer or tablet with internet, and access to Scratch (account optional but recommended). A mouse or trackpad helps precise sprite control. Optionally have headphones, a microphone for recording voices, and a notebook or sketchpad for storyboarding. If offline, install Scratch Desktop. For classroom projects, print templates for characters and a parent or teacher to help younger children.

What ages is making an interactive Scratch story suitable for?

Generally suitable for children aged about 7–14. Younger kids (5–7) can join with adult help using drag-and-drop blocks and simple scenes. Older kids and teens can expand the project with variables, lists, clones, and custom blocks to add complexity. Adjust expectations: shorter stories and guided templates for beginners; more open-ended design and debugging tasks for older learners.

What are the benefits and safety tips for kids creating stories in Scratch?

Benefits include storytelling skills, logical thinking, sequencing, creativity, and early coding concepts like events and loops. It builds confidence through visible results and debugging practice. Safety tips: use a parent-managed Scratch account or enable comments off, avoid sharing personal information, review projects before publishing, and supervise younger children when interacting with the community. Encourage collaborative sharing with teacher or family oversight.

Ready to create?

All Activities

Make an Interesting Story With Scratch

Create an interactive animated story in Scratch by designing sprites, backgrounds, dialogues, and simple code blocks to tell a fun, user-controlled tale.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make an interesting story with Scratch

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Create an Epic Story in Scratch (with Examples!)

What you need

Scratch account or scratch desktop, paper, pencil, coloring materials, adult supervision required

Step 1

Open Scratch by signing in or launching the Scratch desktop and click Create to start a new project.

Step 2

On your paper write a short story idea with a clear beginning middle and end in two or three sentences.

Step 3

In Scratch choose a sprite from the library or click Paint to draw your main character.

Step 4

Add one or two more sprites for friends or props by choosing or painting them.

Step 5

Click the Backdrops tab and create at least two different backdrops for your story scenes.

Step 6

Select your main character sprite and add a when green flag clicked block to start its script.

Step 7

Attach say blocks to the main character's script to make it speak the first lines of your story.

Step 8

Add a when this sprite clicked block plus a broadcast block on a sprite to send a message like "next" for advancing the story.

Step 9

On the Stage add a when I receive block to change the backdrop and show or hide sprites when the broadcast happens.

Step 10

Create two choice-button sprites and make each one broadcast a different message so the viewer can pick the story path.

Step 11

Save your project with a fun title to keep your work safe.

Step 12

Share your finished creation on DIY.org.

Help!?

I can't access the Scratch desktop or Paint to draw a sprite; what can I use instead?

Use the online editor at scratch.mit.edu and either pick a sprite from the library, upload a PNG as a sprite, or use the built‑in backdrop uploader instead of Paint.

My broadcasts don't change the backdrop or hide sprites—what might be wrong and how do I fix it?

How can I change the activity for a 5-year-old versus a 12-year-old?

How can we extend or personalize the story after finishing the basic steps?

Watch videos on how to make an interesting story with Scratch

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to make an interactive story on scratch!

4 Videos

Facts about Scratch and block-based programming

🐱 Scratch's mascot is the Scratch Cat and kids worldwide have created tens of millions of projects on the platform.

🧑‍🏫 Scratch was created by MIT's Lifelong Kindergarten group to help kids learn coding through playful creation.

🎮 Interactive stories in Scratch can let players pick choices, turning a tale into a simple game.

🎨 You animate sprites in Scratch by switching costumes and moving them a few steps each frame to create smooth motion.

🧩 Scratch uses colorful code blocks that snap like puzzle pieces so kids learn programming logic without typing.