How to Make a Simple Animation in Scratch

Does your child love watching cartoons and ask how to make one themselves? In Scratch, a first animation can be finished in under an hour — with no drawing skill required.

This guide covers five steps from a still character to a moving animation with dialogue and music.

What Sets Animation Apart From a Game

Scratch is used to build both games and animations — the difference is that an animation runs automatically once the green flag is clicked, with no viewer control needed. That makes animation an easier starting point than a game for a child trying Scratch for the first time.