Free· #2
Get Started →MIT Media Lab
Scratch
MIT's free visual coding platform — the best first introduction to programming
Scratch is where every kid should start with coding. MIT built it specifically for children, it's completely free, and the community of 100 million shared projects means kids can immediately see what's possible. It won't teach Python, but it builds the logical thinking and problem-solving mindset that makes learning a real language much easier later.
✓ Pros
- Completely free — no subscription, no ads, no upsells
- Created by MIT specifically for children — research-backed design
- Massive community of 100M+ projects — kids share, remix, and collaborate
✕ Cons
- Block coding only — does not teach real programming languages
- No structured curriculum — requires parent or teacher guidance to progress
Scores
Overall
9.1
Curriculum
8.8
Engagement
9.4
InstructorQuality
8.5
Value
10
Specifications
age Range8–16
formatFree online platform
languagesVisual blocks (Scratch)
live Instructionfalse
school PartnershipsUsed in 25M+ classrooms