Scratch challenges teach programming concepts without syntax barriers. Learners focus entirely on logic — what should happen, when, and in what order. This intuition transfers directly to Python.
Sequence: instructions run in order. Selection: sprites behave differently depending on a condition. Iteration: loops that repeat. Variables: scores and counters that change. Events: triggers that start scripts.
A good challenge has a clear goal, uses one new concept, produces something visible and working, and takes 20–40 minutes. Too long and learners lose focus. Too short and there is no sense of achievement.
These challenges introduce the most fundamental Scratch concepts. No prior experience required.
Make a sprite move right when the right arrow is pressed. Make it move left when the left arrow is pressed. Concepts: events, motion.
Make the cat sprite walk across the screen, then walk back. Add a sound when it reaches the edge. Concepts: loops, motion, sounds.
Make a sprite cycle through all its costumes when clicked. Make it get bigger each time. Stop at 5 clicks and reset. Concepts: events, looks, variables.
Press the R key to change the background colour randomly. Keep changing until the spacebar is pressed. Concepts: events, conditionals, pen.
These challenges introduce selection and variables — the two concepts that make games possible.
Ask the player a maths question. If they answer correctly, add 1 to a score variable. Ask 5 questions. Show the final score. Concepts: variables, ask and answer, conditionals.
A sprite hides in a random position. As the mouse moves closer to it, the background gets redder. Farther away, bluer. Concepts: sensing, distance, variables.
Build a game where touching a red sprite reduces lives by 1. When lives reach 0, show "game over" and stop. Concepts: variables, conditionals, game states.
A ball bounces around the screen. The player controls a paddle at the bottom. If the ball touches the paddle, the score increases. If it reaches the bottom, the game ends. Concepts: all core concepts combined.
Arcade Live sessions work through Scratch challenges in a calm, small-group setting. Monday and Thursday, 12:30–1:00pm — maximum 3 learners.
A free Scratch account at scratch.mit.edu allows projects to be saved and shared. Scratch also works without an account — projects can be saved as files.
Challenges are designed for 20–40 minutes each. In an Arcade Live session, one or two challenges per session is typical depending on the learner's pace.
Yes. The challenge descriptions include enough detail to work through independently. Arcade Home packs include more detailed guides with hints and example code.
Sprites, events, and your first Scratch project before tackling challenges.
Scratch and Python challenges at every level.
Use Scratch skills to build complete games.
Join Arcade Live to work through challenges with Dee.