PBS KIDS Games vs ScratchJr

PBS KIDS Games9.2Visit ScratchJr7.9Visit

Higher score PBS KIDS Games #1 in Kinder Apps 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit PBS KIDS

vs

ScratchJr #8 in Kinder Apps 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit ScratchJr

• PBS KIDS Games fits best

  Free preschool learning across many platforms

• ScratchJr fits best

  Free introductory coding and creative projects

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Side by side

Feature	PBS KIDS Games 9.2/10 Visit ↗	ScratchJr 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	7.9
Ranking	#1 in Kinder Apps	#8 in Kinder Apps
Best for	Free preschool learning across many platforms	Free introductory coding and creative projects
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile, Desktop	Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android, Windows	iOS, Android
Features PBS KIDS Games 0/2 · ScratchJr 0/2
Parental controls	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Progress reports	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Age range	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Curriculum focus	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Child profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	More than 280 games span math, reading, science, STEM, and art English and Spanish gameplay supports bilingual play Available on web, iOS, Android, and Windows	Children snap graphical blocks together to program characters. Multi-page projects combine stories, scenes, sounds, and photos. A paint editor and sample projects give children ways to create and explore.
Cons	Focuses on early learning for ages 2–8 Activities center on games such as puzzles, coloring, and dress-up Games are tied to PBS KIDS characters and shows	Designed for tablet use rather than as a desktop-first coding environment. Programming is based on graphical blocks, not text-based code. Supplemental books and coding cards may be purchased separately.
Our verdict	PBS KIDS Games is a free collection of educational games for children ages 2–8, suited to preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary learners. Its more than 280 curriculum-based games cover math, reading, science, STEM, art, social… Read the review →	ScratchJr is a free introductory programming app for children ages 5–7. It lets young learners snap graphical blocks together to make characters move, jump, dance, and interact in their own stories and games. The app is aimed at families… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• PBS KIDS Games — where it wins

  • More than 280 games span math, reading, science, STEM, and art
  • English and Spanish gameplay supports bilingual play
  • Available on web, iOS, Android, and Windows

  Where it doesn't

  • Focuses on early learning for ages 2–8
  • Activities center on games such as puzzles, coloring, and dress-up
  • Games are tied to PBS KIDS characters and shows

• ScratchJr — where it wins

  • Children snap graphical blocks together to program characters.
  • Multi-page projects combine stories, scenes, sounds, and photos.
  • A paint editor and sample projects give children ways to create and explore.

  Where it doesn't

  • Designed for tablet use rather than as a desktop-first coding environment.
  • Programming is based on graphical blocks, not text-based code.
  • Supplemental books and coding cards may be purchased separately.

• PBS KIDS Games9.2/10 · Free plan

  A free, bilingual collection of more than 280 learning games across web and mobile platforms.

  Visit PBS KIDSFull verdict →
• ScratchJr7.9/10 · Free plan

  A free tablet app for children ages 5–7 to make stories and games with coding blocks.

  Visit ScratchJrFull verdict →