OctoStudio, a new mobile app developed by MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten group—the minds behind Scratch—is making waves in K–12 classrooms for its ability to teach kids to code through interactive, real-world experiences.
OctoStudio is a free, block-based coding app available on iOS and Android. Designed for children, the app transforms everyday devices—smartphones and tablets—into creative learning tools that combine coding with real-world interaction.
Unlike many traditional apps that keep students confined to a screen, OctoStudio encourages physical engagement with the environment, using the device’s camera, microphone, touchscreen, vibration, flashlight, and even Bluetooth connectivity to craft immersive, interactive coding projects.
Built with the philosophy of play-based learning, the app brings coding to life by letting students record audio, snap photos, and incorporate their surroundings into custom code-driven experiences, like shaking a phone to trigger a sound or flashing a light when a specific condition is met.
OctoStudio was created by the same team that made Scratch, one of the most popular introductory coding platforms for kids. The goal is similar: introduce coding concepts in a way that’s accessible, engaging, and fun.
What sets OctoStudio apart is its focus on mobile-first, hands-on learning. It makes use of mobile hardware features to create playful, physically interactive experiences, moving beyond the drag-and-drop screen environment that Scratch is known for.
OctoStudio is tailored for classroom use, with several features that empower both teachers and students:
- No account required – No sign-ups, ensuring student privacy and ease of access.
- Multilingual support – Available in over 20 languages, making it accessible worldwide.
- Offline capability – Works without Wi-Fi, perfect for low-connectivity environments.
- Cross-device interaction – Use Bluetooth to beam code blocks between devices for shared class activities.
- Export options – Projects can be saved as videos, GIFs, or native OctoStudio files and shared via Google Drive.
Teachers can download printable reference guides, utilize video tutorials, or explore the OctoStudio YouTube channel and Facebook group for lesson inspiration. It’s an excellent tool for both guided lessons and open-ended homework assignments.
Real-World Integration: Use the device’s camera and microphone to import sights and sounds into your project. Turn coding into a full-body, interactive experience.
Device-Based Responses: Trigger vibrations, turn on flashlights, or play sounds when certain actions occur (e.g., shaking the phone or pressing the screen).
Collaborative Coding: Beam code between devices using Bluetooth. This opens doors for collaborative projects and creative experimentation across student teams.
Accessibility First: Integrated with VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android) for visually impaired users, ensuring inclusive learning experiences.
Start Together: Watch a tutorial as a class and walk through the first project together to build confidence.
Encourage Collaboration: Use the beam feature to create class-wide interaction and foster peer learning.
Assign Creative Homework: Ask students to create coded projects that include images, videos, audio, and text. Great for storytelling, digital art, or science presentations.
Structure with Printables: Share OctoStudio’s reference guides with students who may benefit from visual cues and structured learning steps.
Parents and educators often ask: How do we make coding fun, accessible, and meaningful for kids? OctoStudio directly addresses this by blending physical play and digital creativity. It lowers the barrier to entry, removes cost and privacy hurdles, and gives educators a dynamic tool that aligns with modern, interactive learning standards.
For educators, OctoStudio represents more than an app—it’s a teaching strategy that aligns with project-based learning goals, encourages STEM engagement from a young age, and fosters creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.
OctoStudio is a game-changing tool for introducing coding in a way that resonates with today’s tech-savvy yet hands-on learners. Backed by the respected MIT Media Lab and inspired by the global success of Scratch, this free, offline-compatible, and accessible app empowers students to code their world—not just on screen, but in real life.
