Creating your own video game in Scratch is one of the most exciting adventures a young coder can experience! But what really makes a game feel alive is motion when your player moves through a world that actually scrolls. That’s where the scrolling background in Scratch comes in. It’s what turns a simple project into a dynamic, endless adventure full of possibilities. Whether you’re building a racing track, a jungle run, or a space mission, a scrolling background gives your game that professional, cinematic touch.
But here’s the secret even though it looks complex, making a scrolling background in Scratch is surprisingly simple once you understand how it works. In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn exactly how to make your backdrops move, loop endlessly, and even create cool effects like parallax scrolling. By the end, you’ll be ready to build your very own world that never stops moving. Ready to dive in? Let’s bring your Scratch backgrounds to life!
What Is a Scrolling Background in Scratch?
A scrolling background is a moving scene that gives your game the illusion of speed and motion. Instead of your character running across a still backdrop, the background scrolls to make it look like the world is moving around them.
Think of popular side-scrolling games like Mario or Sonic. When the player runs, the environment moves instead creating a smooth, continuous flow. Scratch makes this possible using its easy-to-understand coordinate system and sprite blocks. The scrolling background in Scratch can be made with backdrops or sprites depending on your project’s complexity.
It’s a powerful trick that transforms your static design into an interactive journey!
Understanding Scratch Backgrounds and Backdrops
Before creating a scrolling scene, it’s important to understand how backdrops for Scratch work.
In Scratch, there are two visual layers:
1. Stage (Backdrop Layer):
The Stage acts as the main canvas in Scratch, where you can design or switch between backdrops for Scratch such as skies, cities, or landscapes. It defines the visual setting for your entire game. Although static by default, this layer can change dynamically using the “switch backdrop” block perfect for level transitions or time-of-day changes.
2. Sprite Layer:
This is the active layer where all the Scratch sprites your characters, obstacles, and moving backgrounds come to life. Each sprite can be individually coded to move, animate, or respond to player input. When used creatively, sprites can even serve as scrolling background elements, creating a smooth, looping motion that brings your game world to life.
The Scratch background (or backdrop) covers the whole stage (480×360 pixels). By default, Scratch games use static backdrops like “Blue Sky” or “City.” But when we want the world to move, we can’t rely on a single still backdrop; we’ll use scrolling background sprites instead.
Using sprites for backgrounds lets us control their position with code. This technique creates a looping animation, allowing endless scrolling without running out of space.
Step 1: Setting Up Your Project
Let’s start by opening Scratch (either the desktop app or the online editor).
- Click “Create” to open a new project.
- Delete the Cat sprite (for now) so we can focus on the background setup.
- Click the “Paint new sprite” button.
- Choose or draw your own Scratch background (like hills, clouds, roads, or stars).
You can also upload an image if you want a custom backdrop for Scratch just make sure it’s at least 480 pixels wide so it covers the entire stage.
Pro Tip: Duplicate the same sprite and place it side-by-side. You’ll use these two to create the seamless scrolling illusion.
Step 2: Coding the Basic Scrolling Effect
Now, it’s time to make the background move!
Here’s a simple version of the code that creates the motion:
when green flag clicked
set x to 0
forever
change x by -5
if x < -480 then
set x to 480
end
end
Explanation:
- The background moves left by 5 steps each frame (you can change the speed).
- When it moves completely off-screen (x < -480), it jumps back to the right (x = 480) creating a looping scroll.
Now duplicate the background sprite so you have two identical copies side-by-side.
This way, as one scrolls off-screen, the other slides in seamlessly — perfect for smooth motion.
Step 3: Making It Seamless
A common mistake beginners face is a visible gap between two backgrounds. That happens when the width or alignment is off.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Make sure both sprites are perfectly aligned (480 pixels apart).
- Use consistent speeds and avoid rounding errors.
- Test by clicking the green flag and watching for any gaps.
If you still notice flickering, try adding one more duplicate background or increasing the scroll speed slightly.
Pro Tip: Using simple patterns (like hills or stars) helps hide any seams!
Step 4: Adding a Character and Movement
Now that your scrolling background in Scratch is working, it’s time to add life!
- Add a new sprite (like the Scratch Cat or your own custom character).
- Give it simple movement controls:
when green flag clicked
forever
if <key [right arrow] pressed?> then
change x by 5
end
end
- You can make the character appear to run in place while the world moves around it.
- Add a costume change animation for a more realistic run effect.
This setup makes it feel like your player is running through the scrolling world, even though the background is doing all the motion work!
Step 5: Creating a Parallax Scrolling Effect
Want to make your game look even more professional? Add parallax scrolling!
Parallax is when different layers of your background move at different speeds.
For example:
- The foreground (trees, grass) moves faster.
- The middle layer (hills) moves a bit slower.
- The sky or clouds move the slowest.
Each layer uses the same scrolling logic but with different speeds:
change x by -5 (front)
change x by -3 (middle)
change x by -1 (back)
The result? Depth and motion that make your game world feel 3D and immersive.
This is one of the most visually powerful techniques in Scratch backgrounds.
Step 6: Using Multiple Backdrops for Scratch
Sometimes, you may want to change scenes instead of looping one.
For example: Day to night, level one to level two, or forest to city.
You can use the “switch backdrop to [name]” block to switch between backdrops in Scratch dynamically.
Pair this with your scrolling background for a beautiful, story-driven transition.
You can also fade between backgrounds by adjusting transparency with the ghost effect adding cinematic quality to your project!
Step 7: Making Vertical or Diagonal Scrolling
Who says scrolling has to be sideways?
Try vertical scrolling (for climbing or flying games) or diagonal scrolling (for adventure games).
All you have to do is replace x with y (for vertical) or modify both axes for diagonal movement.
Example for vertical scrolling:
change y by -5
if y < -360 then
set y to 360
end
This gives your game unique directionality and creativity.
Step 8: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Even experienced Scratchers face these common issues:
1. Gaps Between Backgrounds:
This happens when the images don’t perfectly align or aren’t exactly 480 pixels wide, leaving small empty spaces during scrolling. Double-check your background size and positioning to ensure each sprite connects seamlessly. Using guides or grid alignment helps remove any visible gaps, creating a smooth and continuous loop effect.
2. Laggy Motion:
If your game feels slow or stutters, it’s likely due to too many moving sprites or large, detailed images. Simplify your artwork by reducing sprite size or the number of layers, and avoid excessive “forever” loops running simultaneously. Keeping your project lightweight ensures your scrolling background runs smoothly even on slower devices.
3. Sprites Not Looping Correctly:
Sometimes, backgrounds disappear or reset awkwardly because the X or Y coordinates aren’t correctly coded. Make sure your script accurately checks when a sprite moves off-screen (like x < -480) and resets it to the correct position. A small math error can cause looping misalignment or jittering effects, so always test and fine-tune.
4. Wrong Layering:
Your background might accidentally appear over characters if it’s placed on the wrong visual layer. Use the “go to back layer” block at the start of your script to keep the scrolling background behind your player sprites. Proper layering ensures your character, enemies, and interactive elements always stay visible in front of the moving scene.
5. Jumping Background:
A jumping or flickering background often happens when multiple scripts control the same sprite at once. Review your project to ensure only one “forever” loop manages the scrolling logic. If you have camera or movement scripts running too, synchronize them carefully to maintain smooth, stable motion across all elements.
By fine-tuning these details, your scrolling background will look flawless.
Step 9: Add Sound and Animation
No game world feels complete without atmosphere. Add background music or sound effects that match your theme.
For instance:
- Jungle background → birds and wind.
- City background → car horns or footsteps.
- Space background → ambient cosmic music.
Use the “play sound [sound] until done” or “start sound [sound]” blocks to enhance immersion.
You can also animate clouds or other sprites independently for added realism.
Step 10: Challenge Yourself — Make It Interactive!
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, challenge yourself:
- Add collectibles that scroll with the background:
Include coins, stars, or gems that move along with your scrolling background. It adds goals for the player and keeps the gameplay fun and rewarding.
- Introduce enemies that move at different speeds:
Add flying or walking enemies that scroll at varied speeds to make your game more challenging and dynamic. This helps players develop timing and quick reflexes.
- Use parallax to show depth in mountains or cities:
Layer multiple backgrounds moving at different speeds to create a 3D-like depth effect. It gives your game world a rich, professional appearance.
- Combine vertical and horizontal scrolls for adventure-style maps:
Mix up-and-down motion with side-scrolling for games like climbing adventures or flying missions. It makes gameplay more exciting and visually diverse.
Every addition teaches you more about game logic, layering, and motion making you a true Scratch game developer!
Pro Tips for Perfect Scratch Backgrounds
- Keep your image resolution exact (480×360).
- Avoid too much detail to prevent lag.
- Test your project on full screen for smoothness.
- Use naming conventions for sprites (e.g., bg1, bg2, bg3).
- Always add a start and stop script for easy testing.
Conclusion: Turn Your Scratch Project into an Endless World
By following these steps, you’ve learned how to make a scrolling background in Scratch that transforms your simple project into a full-fledged game environment. You’ve also discovered how to layer, move, and animate backdrops like a pro.
Now it’s your turn to build something amazing. Head over to your Scratch workspace, use these techniques, and design your very own endless runner or adventure game!
When you’re done, share your creation with the world — or for better understanding you can join Junior Coderz to make a pro in scratch coding.
Keep scrolling, keep coding, and keep creating worlds that move with your imagination!
FAQs
Q. How do I make a scrolling background in Scratch look smooth?
Use two identical sprites side by side and loop their movement with consistent speed values to avoid visible gaps.
Q. Can I use Scratch backdrops instead of sprites for scrolling?
Yes, but sprites give you more flexibility to control movement and speed. Backdrops are great for switching levels or scenes.
Q. How do I add parallax scrolling?
Duplicate background layers and make each move at different speeds to create depth and a 3D-like effect.
Q. My scrolling background stutters. What should I do?
Try lowering the number of moving sprites or simplify your artwork to reduce processing load.
Q. Can I combine scrolling with platformer mechanics?
Absolutely! You can code your player to jump, move, and interact while the scrolling background gives the illusion of world movement.