How to Create Flappy Bird on Scratch Step by Step

To create Flappy Bird on Scratch, you can use the block-based programming platform to design a simple game where a bird navigates through obstacles by tapping or clicking to fly. This beginner-friendly project is an excellent way to learn core coding concepts such as event handling, loops, collision detection, and motion control using Scratch's visual interface. A popular long-tail keyword variation for this topic is 'step-by-step guide to building a Flappy Bird clone in Scratch for beginners,' which reflects the high search intent around educational game development.

Understanding Scratch and Its Role in Learning Game Development

Scratch, developed by the MIT Media Lab, is a free, web-based programming language designed to introduce young learners and coding novices to the fundamentals of computer science. It uses a drag-and-drop system of code blocks that snap together like puzzle pieces, making it intuitive and accessible. The platform is widely used in schools, coding camps, and home learning environments to teach logic, problem-solving, and creativity through interactive media.

Creating a Flappy Bird-style game on Scratch allows users to explore key programming constructs in a fun and engaging context. By replicating a well-known mobile game, learners gain hands-on experience with sprite animation, user input, gravity simulation, and score tracking—all essential components of 2D game design.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create Flappy Bird on Scratch

Follow these structured steps to build your own version of Flappy Bird from scratch (pun intended). This tutorial assumes no prior coding knowledge and walks you through each phase of development.

1. Set Up Your Scratch Project

Go to scratch.mit.edu and sign in or create a free account.
Click "Create" to start a new project.
Delete the default cat sprite by right-clicking it and selecting "delete."

2. Add the Bird Sprite

Click the paintbrush icon under “Choose a Sprite” to draw a custom bird, or upload an image of a bird.
Alternatively, search the Scratch library for “bird” and select one (e.g., “Bird” or “Flappy”).
Name your sprite “Bird” in the scripts area for clarity.

3. Program the Bird’s Movement

The bird should fall due to gravity but move upward when the player clicks or presses the spacebar.

Use the following blocks under the “Events” and “Motion” categories:

when green flag clicked
set y to 0
set rotation style [left-right]
go to x: -150 y: 0
forever
change y by -4
if <key [space v] pressed?> then
change y by 8
end
end

This script makes the bird descend continuously unless the spacebar is pressed, simulating flapping. Adjust the numbers (-4 and +8) to fine-tune difficulty.

4. Simulate Gravity and Flight Physics

For more realistic physics, use a variable called “velocity”:

Create a variable named “velocity” (only for this sprite).
Modify the script:

when green flag clicked
set y to 0
set [velocity v] to 0
go to x: -150 y: 0
forever
change [velocity v] by -0.5
change y by (velocity)
if <key [space v] pressed?> then
set [velocity v] to 6
end
end

This creates smoother falling and responsive jumps, mimicking real Flappy Bird mechanics.

5. Create Pipes (Obstacles)

Draw a rectangular pipe using the sprite editor.
Duplicate it and flip vertically for the top pipe.
Group both into one sprite or keep them separate with synchronized movement.
Name them “TopPipe” and “BottomPipe.”

6. Program Pipe Movement and Spawning

Pipes should move from right to left and reset after leaving the screen.

when green flag clicked
go to x: 200 y: 100
forever
change x by -4
if <(x position) < (-240)> then
set x to 200
set y to (pick random -100 to 100)
end
end

Repeat similar code for the bottom pipe, adjusting its y-position accordingly. Ensure there's a gap large enough for the bird to pass through.

7. Implement Collision Detection

End the game if the bird touches the pipes or the edges.

when green flag clicked
forever
if <touching [TopPipe v]?> then
stop [all v]
end
if <touching [BottomPipe v]?> then
stop [all v]
end
if <(y position) < (-180)> or <(y position) > (180)> then
stop [all v]
end
end

8. Add Scoring System

Create a global variable called “score.”
Increment it each time the bird passes a pair of pipes.

when green flag clicked
set [score v] to 0
forever
wait until <(x position of [TopPipe v]) < (-150)>
change [score v] by 1
wait 0.5 secs
end

You may need to adjust coordinates based on your layout.

9. Enhance Gameplay with Sound and Visuals

Add a “flap” sound from the library when the bird jumps.
Play a “game over” sound upon collision.
Display a message like “Game Over!” using the “say” block.

10. Test and Debug

Run the game multiple times to check for bugs:

Does the bird respond smoothly to input?
Do pipes generate at consistent intervals?
Is scoring accurate?
Does the game stop correctly on collision?

Adjust speeds, gaps, and timing until gameplay feels balanced.

Educational Benefits of Creating Flappy Bird on Scratch

Building a Flappy Bird clone teaches foundational computational thinking skills:

Sequencing: Understanding the order of operations in code execution.
Loops: Using “forever” and “repeat” blocks to automate actions.
Conditionals: Applying “if-then” logic for decision-making (e.g., jump, stop).
Variables: Tracking dynamic values like score and velocity.
Event Handling: Responding to user input via keyboard or mouse.

These concepts align with K–12 computer science standards and prepare students for more advanced languages like Python or JavaScript.

Tips for Customizing Your Flappy Bird Game

Once the basic game works, consider these enhancements:

Themes: Change backgrounds to jungle, space, or underwater scenes.
Characters: Replace the bird with a spaceship, superhero, or dinosaur.
Difficulty Levels: Increase pipe speed over time or reduce gap size.
High Score Tracker: Use a persistent variable to store the best score across plays.
Start Screen: Add a menu with instructions before launching the game.

Common Challenges and Troubleshooting

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
Bird doesn’t move up	Incorrect key detection or small jump value	Check spelling of key name; increase change in y-value
Pipes don’t reset properly	X-position threshold too low	Change condition to x < -240
Game ends prematurely	Collision detection too sensitive	Resize sprites or use bounding box adjustments
Score increases multiple times per pipe	No debounce delay	Add wait block after incrementing score

Sharing and Publishing Your Game

After completing your Flappy Bird project, share it with others:

Click the “Share” button on Scratch to publish it to the community.
Copy the project link and send it to friends or embed it on a website.
Enter Scratch contests or remix other projects to improve your skills.

Sharing promotes digital citizenship and allows feedback from a global audience of young coders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play my Flappy Bird game offline?

Yes, download the Scratch desktop app to work without internet access. Projects can be saved locally and uploaded later.

Is Scratch safe for children?

Scratch has moderation policies and privacy controls. While public sharing is encouraged, teachers and parents can use Scratch Classroom for restricted environments.

Do I need to know how to code to make Flappy Bird on Scratch?

No prior coding experience is needed. Scratch’s visual blocks make it easy for beginners to understand programming logic through experimentation.

Can I add mobile touch controls?

Yes, replace 'key [space] pressed?' with 'mouse down?' to enable tap-to-flap functionality on tablets or touchscreen devices.

How can I make the game harder?

Increase pipe speed gradually using a variable, reduce the gap between pipes, or add moving obstacles. You can also limit the number of lives.