Hello, festive coders! Ready to tackle an exciting and time-sensitive ScratchJr project? This tutorial shows you how to create a charming Snowman collect game where you race against the clock to grab as many stars as possible!

This ScratchJr game is fantastic for learning about full character control (moving up, down, left, and right), implementing a countdown timer, and creating a winning screen—all crucial skills in any fun ScratchJr project!

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Step 1: Design Your Snowman and Set Up Full Controls

First, we need our main character and a way for the player to move them freely.

• Create the Snowman: Delete the default cat. Use the paint editor to build your Snowman from basic shapes: two white circles for the body, a black hat, black buttons and eyes, an orange carrot nose, brown arms, and a blue scarf ([00:00:25]). Adjust the size and position them on the screen ([00:02:21]).
• Create the Joystick: Design four simple square sprites to act as a directional joystick: Left (green), Right (purple), Up (red), and Down (blue) ([00:02:27]).
• Code the Movement: Each button needs to send a unique colour-coded message when tapped ([00:03:08]). Go to the Snowman sprite and use the receive message blocks to connect the messages to the corresponding movement:
  • Green Message: Move Left ([00:03:44]).
  • Purple Message: Move Right ([00:03:54]).
  • Red Message: Move Up ([00:03:54]).
  • Blue Message: Move Down ([00:04:03]).

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Step 2: Implementing the Countdown Timer (The Challenge!)

The timer is what makes this game a race. When the time is up, the game ends.

• Create Timer Sprites: Create a new page for your winning screen ([00:04:19]). On the main game screen, create two sprites for the timer: a clock face (a red circle backdrop) and a rotating arrow ([00:05:04]).
• Code the Timer Logic: On the arrow sprite, use the following code:
  1. Start with the green flag block.
  2. Use the repeat block and set it to repeat 12 times.
  3. Inside the repeat block, add the turn clockwise block and a wait block set to 3 tenths of a second ([00:05:53]). This creates a basic 12-tick countdown.
  4. End Game Action: Once the 12 rotations are finished, use the go to page 2 block to switch to your Win Screen, which should display a “Merry Christmas” message ([00:06:04]).

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Step 3: Coding the Stars (The Collectibles)

Your snowman is trying to grab as many stars as possible before the time runs out!

• Create the Stars: Add several Star sprites and position them randomly around the screen ([00:06:10]). The more stars, the more fun the game is!
• Code the Collection: The code is very simple: when the star is touched by the snowman (using the bump block), it should immediately hide to disappear from the screen ([00:07:02]). Copy this code to all your star sprites.

Now you have a complete, timed ScratchJr project! Test your skill at moving the snowman with all four directions to collect every star before the timer stops!

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If you’re eager to continue your festive coding journey, check out the rest of the challenges in this series! You can find more exciting Christmas coding projects to master next! Just in case you missed it, here is yesterday’s Xmas ScratchJr Coding Project.

Alternatively, if you are looking for Coding Tutor in Hertfordshire to support your children with this, I can also help.