How to Make Flappy Bird on Scratch Step by Step

To make Flappy Bird on Scratch, you can use block-based coding to create a simple game where a bird navigates through obstacles by tapping or clicking to flap its wings. This beginner-friendly project is an excellent way to learn the fundamentals of game development using how to make a flappy bird game in scratch step by step. With Scratch’s visual programming interface, users can design sprites, set up collision detection, control movement with gravity, and manage scoring—all without writing traditional code. Whether you're a student, educator, or hobbyist, building Flappy Bird on Scratch offers both educational value and creative satisfaction.

Understanding Scratch and Its Role in Game Development

Scratch is a free, browser-based platform developed by MIT that allows users to create interactive stories, animations, and games using drag-and-drop programming blocks. It's widely used in schools and coding clubs to introduce young learners to computational thinking. One of the most popular projects beginners tackle is recreating the viral mobile game Flappy Bird, which became famous for its addictive yet frustrating gameplay.

The appeal of learning how to make your own flappy bird game on scratch online lies not only in replicating a well-known game but also in understanding core programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, events, variables, and motion control. These foundational skills are transferable to more advanced coding environments like Python or JavaScript.

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

Creating a working version of Flappy Bird on Scratch involves several key components: designing the bird sprite, generating pipes (obstacles), implementing gravity and flight mechanics, detecting collisions, keeping score, and managing game over conditions. Below is a detailed walkthrough of each phase.

1. Setting Up Your Scratch Project

Go to scratch.mit.edu and sign in or create a free account. Click “Create” to start a new project. You’ll see a default cat sprite—this can be deleted by right-clicking and selecting “delete.”

2. Adding the Bird Sprite

Click the “Choose a Sprite” button (the cat icon below the stage) and search for “bird” in the library. Select one that looks suitable, or upload your own image. Alternatively, draw a custom bird using the paint editor.

Once added, rename the sprite to “Bird” in the sprite pane for clarity. This helps when writing scripts later.

3. Programming the Bird’s Movement

The bird should fall due to gravity unless the player clicks or presses a key to make it flap upward. Use the following script under the “Events” and “Motion” categories:

When [green flag] clicked
Set y to [0]
Set rotation style [left-right]
Forever
Change y by (-2)
If <key [space] pressed?> then
Change y by (8)
End
End

This creates continuous downward motion (simulating gravity) and a quick upward boost when the spacebar is pressed. Adjust the numbers to fine-tune difficulty.

4. Creating Obstacles (Pipes)

Next, create two pipe sprites—one for the top and one for the bottom. Draw them vertically in the sprite editor so they leave a gap in the middle for the bird to pass through.

Add this script to one pipe (then duplicate it for others):

When [green flag] clicked
Go to x: (240) y: (random position)
Forever
Change x by (-4)
If <x position < (-240)> then
Go to x: (240) y: (random position)
Change score by (1)
End
End

This moves the pipe from right to left across the screen. When it goes off-screen, it reappears on the right with a new vertical position, creating endless scrolling.

5. Implementing Scoring System

Create a variable called “Score” from the Data menu. Initialize it to zero at the start:

When [green flag] clicked
Set [Score] to [0]

Each time the bird successfully passes a pair of pipes, increment the score. You can detect this using distance or x-position comparisons.

6. Collision Detection

To end the game when the bird hits a pipe or the ground, use the “Sensing” blocks:

When [green flag] clicked
Forever
If <touching [pipe v]?> or <y position < -180> then
Stop [all v]
Say [Game Over!] for (2) seconds
End
End

You can also play a sound effect or show a game-over backdrop when this happens.

7. Enhancing the Game Experience

Consider adding features like:

• A start screen with instructions
• Sound effects for flapping and crashing
• Better graphics or multiple levels
• A high-score tracker using cloud variables (requires login)

These enhancements deepen engagement and teach additional Scratch functionalities.

Why Making Flappy Bird on Scratch Is Educationally Valuable

Learning how to program a flappy bird game using scratch blocks introduces students to logic flow, problem-solving, and iterative design. Unlike pre-built games, creating one from scratch requires debugging, testing, and refining—skills essential in real-world software development.

Teachers often use this project in STEM curricula because it combines creativity with technical learning. Students gain confidence by seeing immediate results of their code and are encouraged to experiment with modifications.

Tips for Success When Building Your Game

Here are some practical tips to ensure your Flappy Bird clone works smoothly:

Tips	Description
Test frequently	Run your game after every major change to catch bugs early.
Use comments	Add notes in your code to explain what each block does.
Adjust speed carefully	Too fast makes it impossible; too slow reduces excitement.
Balance difficulty	Ensure the gap between pipes is just challenging enough.
Organize scripts	Group related blocks together and label sections clearly.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Many beginners encounter issues when trying to figure out how to build a flappy bird simulation in scratch with working controls. Here are frequent problems and solutions:

• Problem: The bird doesn’t respond to key presses.
  Solution: Check if the event trigger is set to “when green flag clicked” and ensure the correct key is selected in the “key pressed” block.
• Problem: Pipes don’t reset properly.
  Solution: Make sure the x-position resets to 240 and the y-position uses a random value within bounds.
• Problem: Score increases too quickly or incorrectly.
  Solution: Only increase the score once per pipe passage—use a boolean variable to track whether the point has been awarded.
• Problem: Game doesn’t stop on collision.
  Solution: Verify that the “stop all” block is triggered and that the touching condition references the correct sprite.

Extending the Project: Beyond Basic Flappy Bird

After mastering the basics, consider expanding your game:

• Add power-ups (e.g., temporary invincibility)
• Create multiple worlds or themes
• Implement mobile touch controls for tablets
• Share your game publicly on Scratch and get feedback

Exploring these ideas builds deeper understanding of user experience, game balance, and audience interaction.

Resources for Learning More

If you’re interested in diving deeper into how to make a flappy bird-style game on scratch with custom features, here are helpful resources:

• Official Scratch Website – Tutorials, forums, and shared projects
• Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Pathways – Free structured lessons
• YouTube Tutorials – Visual walkthroughs for different skill levels
• School or library coding clubs – Hands-on support and collaboration

Conclusion

Making Flappy Bird on Scratch is a fun, accessible way to learn programming fundamentals while creating a playable game. By following steps to design sprites, apply physics-like movement, handle user input, and manage game states, anyone can build their own version of this classic game. Whether you're exploring how to code a flappy bird game in scratch for school or personal interest, the process fosters creativity, logical thinking, and digital literacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play my Flappy Bird game offline?

No, Scratch projects run in the browser and require an internet connection unless you download the desktop editor from the official site.

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

No prior coding knowledge is needed. Scratch uses visual blocks that snap together, making it ideal for beginners.

How long does it take to make Flappy Bird on Scratch?

Most beginners complete a basic version in 1–2 hours, depending on experience and customization level.

Can I share my Flappy Bird game with friends?

Yes! Once saved and shared on Scratch, you can send the link to others to play and remix.

Is Scratch safe for children?

Yes, Scratch is designed for ages 8–16 and includes moderation tools and community guidelines to ensure a safe environment.