ScratchJr for PC

In this tutorial, I will tell you how to download ScratchJr for PC. ScratchJr empowers young children to code their own interactive stories and games and is available on the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store. However, I will tell you how to download ScratchJr for PC in this article.

ScratchJr is a free introductory computer programming language that enables young children aged 5–8 to create their own interactive stories and games. Scratch is free software that enables kids to create their own interactive stories, games, and animations, all designed to encourage computational creativity and critical thinking in their early years. Using a simple graphical interface in which visual blocks representing actions for the program are stacked together as opposed to text-based code, children can search or manifest their dreams.

Icon-based programming blocks snap together to create a script, in a visual programming paradigm at the heart of ScratchJr. Users will be able to drag and drop characters to control them and create choreography for movement, jumps, dance, and song, and their own custom backdrops and sound effects. Even those who typically don’t read can begin to understand basic coding principles, with no syntax hurdles to jump through.

It’s a fun way to learn about the foundations of computer science, including sequencing, repetition, and event-driven programming. It is useful for children in creativity, problem-solving, designing, and logical thinking. The projects they create serve as a bridge to the next level of programming platforms, including the complete Scratch environment.

ScratchJr is free to download and works on a wide range of tablets and smart devices (Android and iOS), providing another platform for kids to learn at home or experiment with different methods in an informal learning environment. It can thus be utilized by the youngest learners to code and make them digital storytellers and creators along the way, and they can do the same without being connected to the Internet once the app is downloaded.

Features of the ScratchJr:

  • Allows young children to program their own interactive stories and games.
  • Utilizes a visual programming language with colorful, drag-and-drop blocks.
  • Enables users to create projects by snapping graphical blocks together, eliminating complex syntax.
  • Features a simple, intuitive interface designed specifically for early learners.
  • Includes a library of pre-made characters, backgrounds, and sounds for creative expression.
  • Users can personalize projects by adding their own voices and photos.
  • Fosters problem-solving skills and logical thinking from an early age.
  • Serves as a gentle introduction to computational thinking, preparing for Scratch and beyond.
  • Designed to be used without an internet connection once downloaded, making it accessible anywhere.
  • Supports fundamental coding concepts like sequences, loops, and events in an engaging way.

Due to the popularity of Android and iOS devices, many apps are made only for these platforms and very few for Windows and PCs. Even if ScratchJr may not be available for PC or Windows but only on the Google Play Store or iOS App Store, there are still some tricks and tips that can help you download ScratchJr for PC. You can take the help of Android emulators to install and download ScratchJr for PC. This article will help you navigate how to download ScratchJr for PC.

Download & Install ScratchJr on PC:

If you want to run Android apps on your PC without any software, then you can read this tutorial: How to Install Android Apps on PC without any Software? Alternatively, you can run Android apps like ScratchJr via Android Emulators like BlueStacks, LDPlayer and NoxPlayer.

Or, you can download APK files on your PC, you need to find a reliable source for the APK and then download it safely. Just follow the various methods and steps listed in this article to Download ScratchJr for PC and ScratchJr will run on your PC without any problem.

Please note that we are strongly against downloading or installing applications from third-party sources. Such apps may pose security risks, compromise your personal data, or violate app store policies. For your safety and to ensure optimal performance, please use official app stores such as the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store for all downloads.

Method – 1: Download and Install ScratchJr using Bluestacks

As I told you before, the ScratchJr app is not available for PC but you can still download ScratchJr for PC using a Bluestacks emulator. BlueStacks is an Android emulator that lets you run Android apps on a computer. Just follow the steps below to properly download and install ScratchJr on your PC:

Step 1: Download and Install BlueStacks:

First, you have to download BlueStacks on your PC. You can visit the official website of Bluestacks and download it from there or download it from the link below.

Download Bluestacks

Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Set Up BlueStacks:

Launch BlueStacks after installation.

Once the Bluestacks emulator is launched, open the Google Play Store within BlueStacks. Sign in with your Google account to access the Google Play Store. You can use a Gmail account to do so but if you don’t have a Gmail account, then you need to create one.

Step 3: Install ScratchJr App:

  • Via Google Play Store:
    • Open the Google Play Store app within BlueStacks.
    • Search for the ScratchJr app.
    • Click “Install” to download and install the ScratchJr app.
    • Look for ScratchJr icon created on the Bluestacks emulator homepage.

  • Via APK Files:
    • You need to find a reliable source for the ScratchJr APK and then download it safely:
      • Drag and drop the downloaded ScratchJr APK file directly onto the BlueStacks window.
      • Alternatively, use the “Install APK” feature:
        • Click on the “Install APK” button (usually a toolbar icon) or press Ctrl + Shift + B.
        • Locate the downloaded ScratchJr APK file on your PC and select it.
        • BlueStacks will install the app automatically.
        • Your ScratchJr should appear on the BlueStacks home screen.

Method – 2: Download and Install ScratchJr using LDPlayer

If you don’t want to install the Bluestacks Android emulator but still want to enjoy and download ScratchJr for PC, then here is another emulator you can download. LDPlayer is another Android emulator that you can use. Just follow the steps below to install the ScratchJr:

Step 1: Download and Install LDPlayer:

First, you have to download LDPlayer on your PC. You can visit the official website of LDPlayer and download it from there or download it from the link below.

Download LDPlayer

Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Set Up LDPlayer:

Launch LDPlayer after installation.

Once the LDPlayer emulator is launched, open the Google Play Store within LDPlayer. Sign in with your Google account to access the Google Play Store. You can use a Gmail account to do so but if you don’t have a Gmail account, then you need to create one.

Step 3: Install ScratchJr App:

  • Via Google Play Store:
    • Open the Google Play Store app within LDPlayer.
    • Search for the ScratchJr app.
    • Click “Install” to download and install the ScratchJr app.
    • Look for ScratchJr icon created on the LDPlayer emulator homepage.

  • Via APK Files:
    • You need to find a reliable source for the ScratchJr APK and then download it safely:
      • Drag and drop the downloaded ScratchJr APK file directly onto the LDPlayer window.
      • Alternatively, use the “Install APK” feature:
        • Click on the “Install APK” button (usually a toolbar icon) or press Ctrl + 3.
        • Locate the downloaded ScratchJr APK file on your PC and select it.
        • LDPlayer will install the app automatically.
        • Your ScratchJr should appear on the LDPlayer home screen.

Method – 3: Download and Install ScratchJr using NoxPlayer

There is another emulator that you can use to run ScratchJr on Windows. NoxPlayer will help you to do so.

Step 1: Download and Install NoxPlayer:

First, you have to download NoxPlayer on your PC. You can visit the official website of NoxPlayer and download it from there or download it from the link below.

Download NoxPlayer

Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Set Up NoxPlayer:

Launch NoxPlayer after installation.

Once the NoxPlayer emulator is launched, open the Google Play Store within NoxPlayer. Sign in with your Google account to access the Google Play Store. You can use a Gmail account to do so but if you don’t have a Gmail account, then you need to create one.

Step 3: Install ScratchJr App:

  • Via Google Play Store:
    • Open the Google Play Store app within NoxPlayer.
    • Search for the ScratchJr app.
    • Click “Install” to download and install the ScratchJr app.
    • Look for ScratchJr icon created on the NoxPlayer emulator homepage.

  • Via APK Files:
    • You need to find a reliable source for the ScratchJr APK and then download it safely:
      • Drag and drop the downloaded ScratchJr APK file directly onto the NoxPlayer window.
      • Alternatively, use the “Install APK” feature:
        • Click on the “Install APK” button (usually a toolbar icon) or press Ctrl + 5.
        • Locate the downloaded ScratchJr APK file on your PC and select it.
        • NoxPlayer will install the app automatically.
        • Your ScratchJr should appear on the NoxPlayer home screen.

ScratchJr App not available on Google Play Store?

You must have noticed that in all the above-mentioned methods, we are downloading ScratchJr from the Play Store. However, sometimes it can happen that due to geolocation restrictions, ScratchJr might not be available in your region. So, what to do in that kind of situation? Well, here is another trick for you to run and install ScratchJr on PC without geo-restriction or Google Play Store.

Pre-requisite

Before moving forward, you need to download the ScratchJr APK file from a reliable, credible and trustworthy third-party website to run it on your PC if it is unavailable on the Google Play Store.

We strongly recommend against downloading or installing applications from third-party sources. Such apps may pose security risks, compromise your personal data, or violate app store policies. For your safety and to ensure optimal performance, please use official app stores such as the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store for all downloads.

Procedure

Follow the steps to run the downloaded ScratchJr APK file on PC, We are using BlueStacks for this tutorial:

Step 1: Download and install Bluestacks or Nox Player or LDPlayer, steps and links are mentioned in Method 1, Method 2 and Method 3.

Step 2: Launch Bluestacks on your computer. Now, head over to the “Install APK” button which is on the right sidebar as shown in the image below.

Step 3: A Windows Explorer pop-up will come up. Navigate to the downloaded ScratchJr APK file location. Now select the ScratchJr APK and click on open. The app installation will begin and once the installation is complete, the app will appear on the BlueStacks home screen.

OR

Step 3: You can simply navigate to the ScratchJr APK file location and drag the downloaded ScratchJr APK to BlueStacks. The installation will begin, and once completed, the app will appear on the BlueStacks home screen.

Alternatives to the ScratchJr:

  • Code & Play Canvas: Unleash imagination by drawing code into vibrant, interactive worlds.
  • Logic Sprouts: Nurture early logical thinking through a garden of interconnected programming puzzles.
  • Pixel Puppets: Animate charming pixel characters with simple commands, bringing tiny tales to life.
  • StoryBlock Creator: Weave whimsical narratives using colorful, connectable story blocks.
  • Robot Rhymes: Orchestrate playful robots to move and groove to your custom-coded sequences.
  • Imagination Engines: Build fantastical machines and watch them whir with your touch of code.
  • Tiny Tinkerers Studio: A digital workshop where young minds can build and experiment with coding contraptions.
  • App Adventures Playground: Embark on exciting coding quests to design and explore your very first apps.