Want to make a musical instrument that sings, farts, and laughs? I’ve put together a fun tutorial introducing kids to Scratch coding where they’ll get to do just that! Recommended for ages 8 and up, or for younger kids with the help of a teacher/parent.
Video Tutorial
Materials
- Computer/laptop with access to the Scratch website
(It’s quick and easy to make an account, but if you don’t want to save your project, you don’t need one!)
Scratch is a project of the Scratch Foundation, in collaboration with the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It is available for free at https://scratch.mit.edu
Written Instructions
STEP 1. Set up your project.
• Open the “Record Your Own Musical Instrument” project in Scratch.
• Click the “Remix” Button. This makes a copy of the project for you to change and make your own!
(If you are playing around without an account and don’t plan to save your instrument, you can just click the “See Inside” button.)
• When the project opens, click the colored buttons on the stage to see what happens.
STEP 2. Add new sounds to the buttons
• Select the “Blue” sprite.
• In the code, find the “start sound” block and select “Record…” from the dropdown
• Record your new sound! Be sure to name it so it’s easier to recognize later.
• Click on the code tab. Select your new sound from the “start sound” block dropdown.
• Test it out! Does the blue button play your new sound?
• Repeat for each button (“Pink”, “Green”, “Purple”, and “Orange”)
STEP 3. Rock out!
• Click the fullscreen button to enlarge the stage.
• Click the green flag to start your concert.
• Rock out with your new, awesome, totally unique instrument!
Have fun playing with Scratch! Mess around and see what else you can make happen at your concert! If you’d like to share your creation with me, I’m on Twitter @fangmous or IG @fangmousbooks. I can’t wait to see what you create.
Bonus Challenges
• Did you find the secret code that makes the cheering start when you press the green flag? Try changing the sound in that code! (Hint: Check the backdrop!)
• What else might you change in the project to make it your own? Try making the buttons look different, by changing their costumes.
• What if you wanted the buttons to move every time you clicked them? Try to find and add a code block to make that happen!
MORE ACTIVITIES
Looking for more activities to accompany the Layla and the Bots books? Find lots more here!
My Books
Layla and the Bots are in an awesome rock band! They also use problem-solving and creativity to build cool inventions. This fully illustrated series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers.
Available now! For personalized/signed copies, leave a comment at checkout with Linden Tree Books.
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