How to Make a Math Racing Game in Scratch | Game Concepts and Complete Tutorial

Introduction: Math Racing Game in Scratch

Watch the video tutorial here: How to make Math Racing Game in Scratch | Racing game in Scratch – Kodex Academy

Math can be fun when combined with gaming! In this tutorial, originally presented by Kodex Academy and Omaansh Aggarwal in the video “How to make Math Racing Game in Scratch | Racing game in Scratch”, you’ll learn to build a Math Racing Game in Scratch. Players solve math problems to move their character forward; wrong answers benefit the opponent. It’s a race of speed, accuracy, and fun.

By following this guide, you’ll understand both the underlying code and be able to extend the game with your own ideas. Whether you are a teacher, student, or hobbyist, this is ideal for learning scratch programming, creating engaging math quiz games, and making scratch games tutorial-style with both educational and entertainment value.

What You’ll Learn

Basic setup: sprites, backdrop, variables
Math operation logic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
Answer checking and branching (correct/wrong responses)
Visual feedback: sprites moving, “You Win / You Lose” messages
Sounds and effects
Enhancement ideas: difficulty levels, timer, leaderboards, power-ups, design polish

Math Racing Game in Scratch: Step-by-Step Guide to Build the Game

Below is a complete walkthrough with code blocks and tips.

1. Setup Sprites & Backdrops

Sprites:

Choose two runner sprites (e.g. a dog and a cat)
Create or import a backdrop for the racing track
Create “You Win” and “You Lose” text sprites (or costumes / backdrops) for end-state feedback

Backdrop:

Name your main backdrop: Race Track
You may also create two extra backdrops (or costumes) for end screens: You Win, You Lose

2. Initial Positioning & Variables

When flag clicked:

Switch backdrop to Race Track
Position runners:

when green flag clicked
  go to x: -199.9 y: 38     // runner1 (dog)
  go to x: -183 y: 49        // runner2 (cat)

Create two variables:
- FirstNumber
- SecondNumber

Make them visible on stage so the player sees the question.

3. Math Question Generation & Game Loop

Use a forever loop to continuously generate math problems:

when green flag clicked
forever
    set [FirstNumber v] to (pick random 1 to 100)
    set [SecondNumber v] to (pick random 1 to 100)
    ask (join (join (FirstNumber) " + ") (SecondNumber)) and wait
    if <(answer) = ((FirstNumber) + (SecondNumber))> then
        broadcast [CorrectAnswer v]
    else
        broadcast [WrongAnswer v]
    end
end

The ask block presents the question
Compare the user’s answer with the sum (or other operation depending on mode)

4. Reactions: Correct Answer vs Wrong Answer

On correct answer (CorrectAnswer broadcast):

Move the corresponding runner forward a set number of steps
Play a sound
Say “Your answer is right” for some time
Check if the runner has reached or touched finish line color or condition → then broadcast “You Win”

On wrong answer (WrongAnswer broadcast):

Say “Your answer is wrong”
Broadcast “You Lose”

Here’s an example for one runner (dog):

when I receive [CorrectAnswer v]
    play sound [Back v] until done
    move (60) steps
    say [Your answer is right] for (2) seconds
    if <touching color [red] ?> then
        broadcast [YouWin v]
    end

And similar logic for wrong answer or for the other sprite.

5. Win / Lose Feedback & Game End

When receive YouWin:
- Play a flourish sound (e.g. “Fairy Dust”)
- Switch backdrop to You Win
- Say or show “You Win” message
- Stop all scripts
When receive YouLose:
- Play a sad / lose-type sound (e.g. “Meow” or similar)
- Switch backdrop to You Lose
- Show message
- Stop all

6. Multiple Operations: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division

To increase the challenge:

Duplicate the “generate question → check answer” logic
Instead of always using +, use -, ×, ÷

Division trick: To avoid non-integers / decimals, you can set up questions so that the result is whole:

set [SecondNumber v] to (pick random 1 to 10)
set [FirstNumber v] to ((SecondNumber) * (pick random 1 to 10))
ask (join (join (FirstNumber) " ÷ ") (SecondNumber)) and wait
if <(answer) = ((FirstNumber) / (SecondNumber))> then
    // correct
else
    // wrong
end

Code Summary (Blocks)

Below is a high-level pseudo-Scratch style summary combining all pieces:

when green flag clicked
    switch backdrop to [Race Track]
    go to x: -199.9 y: 38     // Dog
    go to x: -183 y: 49        // Cat
    forever
        choose operation from [+ - × ÷] (random or user-selectable)
        if operation = ÷ then
            set [SecondNumber] to (pick random 1 to 10)
            set [FirstNumber] to (SecondNumber * (pick random 1 to 10))
        else
            set [FirstNumber] to (pick random 1 to 100)
            set [SecondNumber] to (pick random 1 to 100)
        end
        ask (join (join (FirstNumber) " " operation) (SecondNumber)) and wait
        if <answer = correctResult> then
            broadcast [CorrectAnswer]
        else
            broadcast [WrongAnswer]
        end
    end

when I receive [CorrectAnswer]
    play sound [Back]
    move (60) steps
    say [Your answer is right] for (2) seconds
    if <touching color [finishLineColor]> then
        broadcast [YouWin]
    end

when I receive [WrongAnswer]
    say [Your answer is wrong] for (2) seconds
    broadcast [YouLose]

when I receive [YouWin]
    play sound [Fairy Dust]
    switch backdrop to [You Win]
    say [You Win] for (1) second
    stop [all]

when I receive [YouLose]
    play sound [Meow]
    switch backdrop to [You Lose]
    say [You Lose] for (1) second
    stop [all]

Enhancement Features (With Code Ideas)

To make your game more engaging and polished, here are enhancements you can add. Each idea includes suggested code blocks or pseudo‑Scratch setup.

Difficulty Levels

Easy: only addition
Medium: addition + subtraction
Hard: all four operations

Setup: Upon start, ask user to choose level (via ask or menu sprites). Based on choice, limit operations.

when green flag clicked
    ask [Choose difficulty: 1 (Easy), 2 (Medium), 3 (Hard)] and wait
    if <answer = 1> then
        set [Ops v] to [ + ]
    else if <answer = 2> then
        set [Ops v] to [ + - ]
    else
        set [Ops v] to [ + - × ÷ ]
    end
    // then in the loop pick random from Ops

Timer / Time Limit

Add a timer variable that counts down
Force game over when time reaches zero

when green flag clicked
    set [Timer v] to [60]   // seconds
    forever
        wait (1) sec
        change [Timer v] by (-1)
        if <(Timer) = 0> then
            broadcast [TimeUp]
            stop [all]
        end
    end

Score / Points System

Instead of just “win/lose,” keep a score of correct answers, maybe bonus for streaks
Display score on screen

set [Score v] to [0]
when I receive [CorrectAnswer]
    change [Score v] by (10)

Two‑player Mode or AI Opponent

Player vs computer: AI automatically gets some answers right at lower/higher probabilities
Two players: split screen or alternating turns

when broadcast [NewQuestion]
    if <pick random 1 to 100 > 70> then
        // AI gives wrong answer
        broadcast [WrongAnswerAI]
    else
        broadcast [CorrectAnswerAI]
    end

Animations & Visuals

Animate runners’ sprites (costume changes as they move)
Add finish line sprite or use color detection for finish line
Use particle effects, sound effects to make wins/losses more satisfying

Lives / Mistakes Limit

Give player e.g. 3 chances wrong answers before losing

set [Lives v] to [3]
when I receive [WrongAnswer]
    change [Lives v] by (-1)
    if <(Lives) = 0> then
        broadcast [YouLose]
    end

Leaderboard or High‑Score Tracking

Use cloud variables if shared on Scratch website to save high scores
Or local high score variable per game session

Randomized Sprites / Themes

Let user pick different sprite pairs (cars, animals)
Change track background themes (desert track, forest track etc.)

Edge Cases & Common Issues in Scratch Math Racing Game

When building interactive projects like the Math Racing Game in Scratch, it’s normal to run into bugs or edge cases. Below are some realistic scenarios that Scratch users (especially beginners) may face, along with clear solutions for each.

1. Game Doesn’t Ask New Questions After One Round

Problem: After answering a single question, the game stops instead of continuing.

Cause: The question logic (using the ask block) isn’t placed inside a forever loop.

Solution: Wrap your question and answer-checking logic in a forever loop so the game continues asking until someone wins.

forever
    set [firstNumber v] to (pick random (1) to (100))
    set [secondNumber v] to (pick random (1) to (100))
    ask (join (firstNumber) (join [ + ] (secondNumber)))
    // Handle answer checking
end

2. Division Questions Give Decimal or Confusing Results

Problem: Players receive questions like “27 ÷ 8”, which don’t result in whole numbers.

Cause: Random number generation doesn’t ensure that the dividend is divisible by the divisor.

Solution: Make sure to construct division questions with a clean quotient:

set [secondNumber v] to (pick random (1) to (10))
set [firstNumber v] to ((secondNumber) * (pick random (1) to (10)))

Now firstNumber ÷ secondNumber will always give an integer.

3. Wrong Sprite Moves for Correct/Wrong Answer

Problem: Sometimes the opponent moves forward even when the player gives the right answer—or both sprites move together.

Cause: Both sprites are responding to the same broadcast.

Solution: Make sure the player sprite responds only to “CorrectAnswer” (or “Write Answer”) and the opponent only responds to “Wrong Answer”.

when I receive [CorrectAnswer]
    move (60) steps
    play sound [WinSound v]

when I receive [WrongAnswer]
    move (60) steps
    play sound [Meow v]

4. Sprite Reaches Finish Line but No Win Message Appears

Problem: The sprite crosses the finish line but the game doesn’t end or show “You Win”.

Cause: There’s no check to detect when the sprite reaches the goal.

Solution: Add a condition to check if the sprite’s x-position is greater than the finish line value.

if <(x position) > [200]> then
    broadcast [YouWin]
    stop [all]
end

You can also use touching color [red] if you’re detecting a finish line by color.

5. Game Doesn’t Stop After Winning or Losing

Problem: Even after the player wins or loses, the game continues asking questions.

Cause: You forgot to stop the game or other scripts after the outcome.

Solution: Use the stop [all] block after broadcasting the win or lose condition.

when I receive [YouWin]
    show
    say [🎉 You Win!] for (2) secs
    play sound [Fairy Dust v]
    stop [all]

6. Sound Effects Not Playing

Problem: You’ve added sound blocks, but no sound plays during the game.

Cause: The sound isn’t added to the sprite, or the block isn’t triggered properly.

Solution: Go to the Sounds tab of the sprite and upload or choose sounds like “Meow”, “Fairy Dust”, or “Pop”. Then use:

play sound [Fairy Dust v] until done

Make sure the sound is added to the same sprite where the code is running.

7. Sprites Overlap or Don’t Stay in Their Lane

Problem: Both runners are running on top of each other or look cluttered.

Cause: They are placed at the same y-position or too close to each other.

Solution: Give each sprite its own track by adjusting their Y positions slightly:

Dog: go to x: (-199) y: (38)
Cat: go to x: (-199) y: (10)

8. Non-Numeric Input Breaks the Game

Problem: User enters text (e.g., “ten” instead of “10”) or leaves the input blank, and the game doesn’t respond properly.

Cause: Scratch treats all answers as strings, which can cause logic errors in math checks.

Solution: Add a check to validate numeric input.

if <not <(answer) is a number>> then
    say [Please enter a number!] for (2) secs
else
    // proceed with checking the answer
end

9. Game Ends Too Fast

Problem: Game finishes in just a few questions, making it less engaging.

Cause: Sprites move too many steps per correct answer, or the finish line is too close.

Solution:

Reduce movement per question (e.g., from 60 to 40 steps).
Move the finish line further (e.g., x = 240 instead of x = 200).
Add a “laps” system or a counter for more gameplay.

10. Broadcasts Not Triggering Anything

Problem: You’ve added broadcasts like “YouWin” or “WrongAnswer”, but nothing happens.

Cause: Mismatch in broadcast message spelling or casing. Scratch is case-sensitive!

Solution: Always copy-paste your broadcast message name. Ensure all scripts use the same exact name:

broadcast [WrongAnswer]
when I receive [WrongAnswer]
when I receive [wronganswer] (this won’t work)

11. Both Sprites Reach the Finish Line Simultaneously

Problem: It’s a tie! Both players finish the race at the same time.

Cause: There’s no prioritization or “locking” once a winner is declared.

Solution: As soon as one player wins, use stop all to freeze the game. That way, the second sprite doesn’t keep moving.

12. Game Doesn’t Reset After Replay

Problem: When clicking the green flag, the sprites don’t go back to starting positions.

Cause: You haven’t added reset code at the start.

Solution: Add this at the beginning of each sprite’s script:

when green flag clicked
go to x: (-199) y: (38) // starting position
hide [You Win / You Lose text]

Also reset any variables and switch backdrop to the race track.

Conclusion: Build, Learn, and Race Your Way to Smarter Coding with Scratch!

Creating a Math Racing Game in Scratch is not just about making a fun digital experience — it’s about blending education and entertainment in a way that enhances both coding skills and mathematical thinking.

Throughout this tutorial, you’ve learned:

✅ How to make a racing game in Scratch with animated runners
✅ How to make a math quiz game in Scratch using variables and logic
✅ How to combine sound effects, broadcasts, and animations to build a complete interactive game
✅ How to troubleshoot common edge cases and bugs
✅ How to enhance your game with division logic, dynamic questions, and win/loss conditions

Whether you’re a student, teacher, or beginner coder, this project is an excellent example of game-based learning using Scratch programming. It’s also perfect for classrooms, coding clubs, or STEM competitions.

Call to Action

Don’t forget to check out the full video tutorial: How to make Math Racing Game in Scratch | Racing game in Scratch – Kodex Academy
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