Free Code Club at The Dock: Scratch Coding for Ages 7-13

Scratch is the programming language developed at MIT for teaching children to code. It uses a visual block-based interface so kids can build logic without worrying about syntax - dragging and dropping pieces of code together to create animations, interactive stories, and games. The learning curve is genuinely gentle and the results are immediate, which makes it the right tool for this age group.

The Code Club at The Dock runs bi-weekly at Accenture’s innovation centre on Hanover Quay - a proper tech environment that gives children the sense they’re doing real work in a real setting rather than sitting in a school computer room.

What to Expect

A structured but hands-on session for children aged 7 to 13. Kids work through Scratch projects under the guidance of volunteer instructors, building up from simple animations to interactive games over successive sessions. The bi-weekly format means children can develop a project over time rather than starting from scratch each session.

The Dock is Accenture’s flagship innovation centre - a well-equipped, high-spec space on the Grand Canal Dock. The environment matters: children respond to being taken seriously and given access to proper facilities.

This is free, which removes the barrier that often stops families from engaging with STEM activities outside school.

Good to Know

• Free to attend - book your place on Eventbrite
• Ages 7 to 13
• Wednesday evenings at 6pm, bi-weekly
• No prior coding experience required
• Hanover Quay, Grand Canal Dock - well served by public transport

Getting There

The Dock at Accenture is at 7 Hanover Quay, Dublin 2, in the Grand Canal Dock area. The Luas Red Line stops at Spencer Dock, about a 10-minute walk. Grand Canal Dock DART station is right beside the venue. Multiple bus routes serve the south docklands area.