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SPECIFICTION
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ScratchJr

scratchjr.org

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Spec score 7.6 #15 of 49 in Coding Education Platforms

What it is

ScratchJr is a free introductory programming app for children ages 5–7 to create interactive stories and games. Children snap graphical blocks together to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. They can edit characters in a paint editor, add voices and sounds, and include photos in projects. The app is designed to support young children's cognitive, personal, social, and emotional growth. ScratchJr is developed for iPads running iOS 10 or later and Android tablets running Android 5 or later; it may also run with limitations on some Chromebooks, Apple-silicon MacBooks, Fire tablets, and Windows 11 PCs. Devices that run it in a virtual container may have limits on importing and exporting projects. Projects, including their images and recordings, are stored on the device and are not sent to or accessible by Scratch. The privacy policy says the app collects use preferences and automatically gathers country-level IP and device information; it may also collect usage information such as time spent in the app. Projects can be shared by email, or by AirDrop on iPads. The site offers teacher-led activities and ScratchJr Connect, a free resource database.

Spec sheet

Purpose
ScratchJr is an introductory programming language for children ages 5–7 to create interactive stories and games.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Integrations
The privacy policy names Google Firebase as a service provider used to help understand the user base and app usage.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Security
Scratch says it uses administrative, physical, and technical procedures to protect collected information, while noting that it cannot guarantee database or transmission security.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Support
The FAQ directs users with additional questions to [email protected].Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Founded
2014Read 28 Sep 2026 · scratchjr.org
Coding
Children snap together graphical programming blocks to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Creative tools
Children can modify characters in the paint editor, add voices and sounds, and insert photos into projects.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Data collection
The privacy policy says the app collects use preferences and automatically collects country-level IP and device information, and may collect usage information such as time spent in the app.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Learning goals
ScratchJr is designed to support young children's cognitive, personal, social, and emotional growth.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Origin
ScratchJr launched in 2014 and was developed by the DevTech Research Group, MIT Media Lab's Lifelong Kindergarten group, and the Playful Invention Company.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Platform limitation
On devices running ScratchJr in a virtual container, project importing and exporting may be limited.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Project storage
Projects, including images and sound recordings in them, are stored locally on the device and are not transmitted to or accessible by Scratch.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Sharing projects
ScratchJr projects can be shared by email, and on iPads they can also be shared with AirDrop.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Supported devices
The app is developed for iPads running iOS 10 or later and Android tablets running Android 5 or later; it can also run on some Chromebooks, Apple-silicon MacBooks, Fire tablets, and Windows 11 PCs with limitations.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org
Teaching resources
The site offers teacher-led activities and ScratchJr Connect, a free curated database of resources, lessons, and projects.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org

Plans and prices

ScratchJr Free Free app for iPads, Android tablets, and Chromebooks Read 7 Oct 2026 · scratchjr.org

Every ScratchJr plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Graphical blocks control character actions.
  • Children can add voices, sounds, and photos.
  • Projects are stored locally on the device.
  • Free app for supported devices.
  • Projects can be shared by email.

Limits

  • Some device versions have limited functionality.
  • Virtual-container devices may limit project importing and exporting.
  • The app collects device and country-level IP information.

Who it suits

ScratchJr is designed for children ages 5–7 who are beginning to explore programming through stories and games. Its activities and resource database may also suit teachers and families supporting that learning.

Verdict

ScratchJr pairs block-based programming with character editing and multimedia projects for young learners. Check device compatibility, and note the privacy policy's listed data collection.

Where Specifiction places it

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