Switch Backdrops from Kitchen to Restaurant on Scratch!

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Create a Scratch project that switches the backdrop from a kitchen to a restaurant using broadcast messages and button clicks to explore simple event coding.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to Switch Backdrops from Kitchen to Restaurant on Scratch

What you need

Scratch editor open, kitchen backdrop, restaurant backdrop, button sprite, optional second button sprite

Step 1

Open the Scratch editor and start a new project.

Step 2

Remove or hide the default sprite if you want a clean stage.

Step 3

Add the Kitchen backdrop from the Backdrops library to the Stage.

Step 4

Add the Restaurant backdrop from the Backdrops library to the Stage.

Step 5

Add a Button sprite from the Sprite library or paint your own button.

Step 6

Click the Button sprite and add a script that sends a broadcast when clicked using the block "when this sprite clicked" then "broadcast [restaurant]".

Step 7

Click the Stage and add a script that listens for the broadcast "restaurant" using "when I receive [restaurant]" and then switches the backdrop to the Restaurant using "switch backdrop to [Restaurant]".

Step 8

Add a second Button sprite (or reuse the first) and give it a broadcast name "kitchen" for changing back.

Step 9

For the second Button sprite add a script "when this sprite clicked" then "broadcast [kitchen]".

Step 10

Click the Stage and add a script "when I receive [kitchen]" then "switch backdrop to [Kitchen]".

Step 11

Test your project by clicking each button to make sure the backdrop switches correctly.

Step 12

If a button does not work open its code and make sure the broadcast names match exactly and that your backdrop names match the Stage backdrops.

Step 13

Share your finished Scratch project on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can I use if I can't find the Button sprite in the Sprite library?

Use the Scratch costume editor to paint your own Button sprite or pick any simple sprite from the Sprite library (like an arrow or text) and use it in place of the Button sprite.

Why doesn't clicking a button switch the backdrop when I test the project?

Open the button's code and make sure the broadcast name in the 'broadcast [restaurant]' block exactly matches the Stage listener and that the Stage's 'switch backdrop to [Restaurant]' uses the exact backdrop name from the Backdrops library.

How can I change this activity for younger kids or make it more challenging for older kids?

For younger kids reuse the first Button sprite and keep only the basic 'when this sprite clicked' → 'broadcast [kitchen]'/'broadcast [restaurant]' scripts, while older kids can add keyboard controls ('when key pressed'), custom backdrops from the Backdrops library, and extra scripts to animate sprites between scenes.

How can we extend or personalize the Switch Backdrops project?

Paint unique backdrops in the Backdrops library, give your Button sprite custom costumes, add a sound to the Button's 'when this sprite clicked' script, animate a character on the Stage when receiving the 'restaurant' broadcast, and then share the finished project on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to Switch Backdrops from Kitchen to Restaurant on Scratch

0:00/0:00

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How to switch backdrop in Scratch 3.0 } #Scratch

4 Videos

Facts about event-driven programming in Scratch

🐱 Scratch launched in 2007 and its friendly cat mascot shows up in tons of beginner projects.

🔁 The "broadcast" block in Scratch sends a message that other sprites or backdrops can listen for and react to.

🎭 Backdrops are like stage scenes — one block can switch your project from a kitchen to a restaurant instantly.

🖱️ Any sprite can be turned into a clickable button using the "when this sprite clicked" event block.

🌍 Millions of kids worldwide use Scratch to make stories, games, and animations and share them online.

How do you switch backdrops from Kitchen to Restaurant on Scratch?

Open your Scratch project, add two backdrops named “Kitchen” and “Restaurant.” Create a button sprite and add a “when this sprite clicked” block. Attach a “broadcast [GoToRestaurant v]” block. On the Stage, add a “when I receive [GoToRestaurant v]” block and attach “switch backdrop to [Restaurant].” Repeat with a second button or broadcast to switch back to Kitchen. Test clicks, tweak timing, and save the project.

What materials do I need to make this Scratch switch-backdrop project?

You need a computer or tablet with internet (or the Scratch offline editor), a Scratch account (optional), and a browser. Prepare two backdrops (Kitchen and Restaurant) using Scratch’s backdrop library or uploaded images. Add at least one button sprite for clicking, a mouse or touchscreen, and simple sounds if desired. Adult supervision is helpful for younger children when creating or uploading images.

What ages is the Scratch backdrop-switching activity suitable for?

This activity suits children about 7–12 years old who can read basic block labels and use a mouse or touchscreen. Younger kids (5–6) can try with adult help or on ScratchJr, while older kids and teens can extend the project with scripts, multiple backdrops, and variables. It’s ideal for beginners learning event-driven programming and visual coding concepts.

What are the benefits and fun variations for switching backdrops in Scratch?

Benefits include learning broadcasts, event handling, and user interaction while boosting problem-solving and creativity. Variations: add transition effects (fade using ghost or costumes), use keyboard events to switch rooms, auto-switch after a timer, or create a mini-game where clicks unlock new locations. Remind kids not to share personal info when publishing projects and to ask an adult before uploading images.

Ready to create?

All Activities

Switch Backdrops from Kitchen to Restaurant on Scratch!

Create a Scratch project that switches the backdrop from a kitchen to a restaurant using broadcast messages and button clicks to explore simple event coding.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to Switch Backdrops from Kitchen to Restaurant on Scratch

What you need

Scratch editor open, kitchen backdrop, restaurant backdrop, button sprite, optional second button sprite

Step 1

Open the Scratch editor and start a new project.

Step 2

Remove or hide the default sprite if you want a clean stage.

Step 3

Add the Kitchen backdrop from the Backdrops library to the Stage.

Step 4

Add the Restaurant backdrop from the Backdrops library to the Stage.

Step 5

Add a Button sprite from the Sprite library or paint your own button.

Step 6

Click the Button sprite and add a script that sends a broadcast when clicked using the block "when this sprite clicked" then "broadcast [restaurant]".

Step 7

Step 8

Add a second Button sprite (or reuse the first) and give it a broadcast name "kitchen" for changing back.

Step 9

For the second Button sprite add a script "when this sprite clicked" then "broadcast [kitchen]".

Step 10

Click the Stage and add a script "when I receive [kitchen]" then "switch backdrop to [Kitchen]".

Step 11

Test your project by clicking each button to make sure the backdrop switches correctly.

Step 12

If a button does not work open its code and make sure the broadcast names match exactly and that your backdrop names match the Stage backdrops.

Step 13

Share your finished Scratch project on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can I use if I can't find the Button sprite in the Sprite library?

Use the Scratch costume editor to paint your own Button sprite or pick any simple sprite from the Sprite library (like an arrow or text) and use it in place of the Button sprite.

Why doesn't clicking a button switch the backdrop when I test the project?

How can I change this activity for younger kids or make it more challenging for older kids?

How can we extend or personalize the Switch Backdrops project?

Watch videos on how to Switch Backdrops from Kitchen to Restaurant on Scratch

0:00/0:00

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

How to switch backdrop in Scratch 3.0 } #Scratch

4 Videos

Facts about event-driven programming in Scratch

🐱 Scratch launched in 2007 and its friendly cat mascot shows up in tons of beginner projects.

🔁 The "broadcast" block in Scratch sends a message that other sprites or backdrops can listen for and react to.

🎭 Backdrops are like stage scenes — one block can switch your project from a kitchen to a restaurant instantly.

🖱️ Any sprite can be turned into a clickable button using the "when this sprite clicked" event block.

🌍 Millions of kids worldwide use Scratch to make stories, games, and animations and share them online.