Have you heard of Scratch? It’s one of the most popular ways for children to learn computer programming skills, by creating and animating scenes with characters, using blocks of visual code.

Originally developed in the US by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it has recently spawned a new iPad app called ScratchJr, created by some of the same people. And it’s also inspired coding-for-kids apps like Tynker, which we’ve written about before.

Scratch is also the basis for a brand new iPad app called Pyonkee, created by Japanese company SoftUmeYa, but available here in the west too. It’s a free download from the App Store, and is based on the open-source code for Scratch.

“By combining visual blocks, kids/adults are able to create original games, animations, and stories on their own,” explains its App Store listing. “Through the programming process, we will learn about logics, productivity, creativity, and collaborations.”

The app has been designed for the touchscreen, and can use the iPad’s microphone and camera for children importing their own pictures and sounds into whatever they’re creating. It’s also compatible with programs created by children in Scratch itself on the web.

Pyonkee may not walk children through coding steps like Tynker does – it’s more something for them to start creating with, which in turn may make it a little daunting at first. This, of course, is a good reason why parents may want to sit down with their children for a couple of sessions to figure it all out.

Parents are certainly spoilt for choice with coding-for-kids apps at the moment: we’ll have a roundup soon to help you decide which is best for your children.

In the meantime, Pyonkee is a free download for iPad from Apple’s App Store, and you can read about the other coding for kids apps that we’ve covered too.