Looking for a way to use Scratch Junior in your lessons, but you don’t have iPads? Try Pictoblox. It’s essentially a Scratch junior (as well as Scratch) clone, which runs on regular PCs or Macs in a browser.
PictoBlox is a coding platform designed to make programming approachable for all learners. It combines the simplicity of block-based coding with the flexibility of Python, making it an excellent choice for students who want to explore coding, AI, and interactive hardware projects.
Developed and supported by the STEMpedia team, PictoBlox encourages creativity and problem-solving. Students can design their own games, develop interactive projects, and even program robots. The block-based approach helps remove the intimidation often associated with computer science, while the student-friendly interface keeps the experience fun and engaging.
As the name suggests, PictoBlox is all about visual coding—programs are created by snapping together blocks that represent different actions or values. By combining these blocks, students can design instructions that make robots move, interact, and respond. This hands-on, playful approach makes it a powerful tool for teachers looking to bring STEM to life in the classroom.
How to access it:
- Go to Pictoblox: https://pictoblox.ai/
- For KS1 children, click on Junior Blox for their Scratch Jnr clone.
- For KS2, click on Blocks for their Scratch clone.
- For KS3 you can also code in Python using Py Editor.
I’ve produced a very short video which shows what it does. You can see that below.
If you want some tutorials on how to use Pictoblox, then STEMpedia has a great set of resources to get you started.
