Is this app really free? No hidden 'pro' version?

Correct. It is 100% free with no in-app purchases or subscriptions. It's funded by grants and the PBS mission, so you don't have to worry about 'freemium' traps.

Can my kid share their creations online?

Not directly from the app. There is no built-in social network or public gallery, which is great for safety. If they want to show Grandma, you'll have to physically show her the tablet or record the screen yourself.

Does it work on a phone?

Technically you might find a way to install it, but the experience is miserable. The coding blocks are designed for fingers on a tablet-sized screen. Stick to an iPad or Android tablet.

What's the difference between this and regular ScratchJr?

The core coding engine is the same, but this version swaps the generic characters for PBS favorites like the Wild Kratts and Arthur. It also includes 'Story Starters' featuring those characters.

PBS KIDS ScratchJr app – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

PBS KIDS ScratchJr app

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2015

96%

WISE Score

4.0

Google Play

A brilliant, block-based coding sandbox that turns screen time into creation time using your kid's favorite PBS characters.

PBS KIDS ScratchJr app

app

Everyone, 2015

96%

WISE Score

4.0

Google Play

A brilliant, block-based coding sandbox that turns screen time into creation time using your kid's favorite PBS characters.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

If you want your kid to actually understand how the digital world works instead of just being a passive consumer of it, this is the app. It’s one of the few pieces of 'educational' software that actually lives up to the name by giving kids the tools to be authors, not just players.

It’s completely free, safe, and built on solid pedagogical foundations. While it lacks the flashy animations of a modern mobile game, that’s a feature, not a bug—it forces the kid to provide the creativity. It’s the closest thing to digital LEGOs we have.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 5-8 crowd. Pre-readers can navigate the icons easily, but kids older than 9 might find the PBS branding a bit 'babyish' and will likely want to move up to the full version of Scratch.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It uses the familiar, gentle faces of PBS KIDS to teach logic. There is zero junk here—no ads, no tracking, and no aggressive 'engagement' loops. It's pure, constructive play.

Imaginative

This isn't a 'puzzle' app where there is one right answer. It's a sandbox. Kids are literally making their own cartoons and games from scratch using a massive library of characters and their own voice recordings.

Safe

100

It’s built by the Scratch Foundation and PBS. No in-app purchases, no external links without a parent gate, no social features, and no data collection. It is the safest a digital product can get.

Enriching

Teaches the 'grammar' of coding—sequencing, loops, and triggers—without requiring reading skills. It builds computational thinking while kids think they're just making Arthur dance.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Creation over consumption is the core vibe here; kids aren't just watching Arthur, they're making him do backflips.
The block-based logic is perfect for pre-readers, using icons and colors to explain complex concepts like loops and triggers.
Zero monetization means you can hand over the tablet without worrying about a surprise $99 bill for 'coding gems.'
It includes voice recording and painting tools, allowing kids to put themselves and their own art directly into the projects.

⚠

What to Watch For

There is no step-by-step tutorial, which can lead to a 'What do I do now?' moment for kids who are used to being told how to play.
It is tablet-only; don't bother trying to get this to work on a phone screen, as the UI needs the real estate of an iPad or Android tablet.

Conversation Starters

"How did you make the Wild Kratts move when you tapped them?"
"Can you record your own voice to give Arthur a funny secret message?"
"If you wanted to make a game where a character hides, which blocks would you use?"
"What happens if you put that 'loop' block around the dance moves?"

Deep Dive

The 'Blank Page' Problem

The biggest hurdle with PBS KIDS ScratchJr isn't the interface—it's the freedom. Because it doesn't hold your hand through a series of levels, some kids might open it, tap a few buttons, and get bored. The trick is to use the Story Starters. These provide a half-finished scene that gives them a goal (like helping a character find something), which usually sparks enough curiosity to keep them tinkering.

Why PBS Characters Matter

There is a standard version of ScratchJr, but the PBS version is generally better for this age group because of the emotional hook. A kid might not care about a generic blue cat, but they definitely care about the Wild Kratts or Molly of Denali. Using these characters lowers the barrier to entry for storytelling. They already know the 'lore,' so they can get straight to the logic.

A Tool, Not a Toy

Think of this less like a game and more like a word processor for five-year-olds. It’s a tool for expression. If your kid is into drawing or telling elaborate stories with their action figures, this will be a massive hit. If they just want to zone out and watch videos, they might resist the 'work' at first, but once they realize they can make a character say 'poop' in their own voice, they're usually hooked.

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