A new computer program has been invented that allows anyone—it is aimed at children—to create interactive animations that mix pictures, sound and movement. The project, called “Scratch”, is the brainchild of Mitch Resnick and his colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Lab.

Scratch is a new programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art — and share your creations on the web.

Scratch is designed to help young people (ages 8 and up) develop 21st century learning skills. As they create Scratch projects, young people learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the process of design.

Scratch is available free of charge from the Download page.