Share an animation brainstorming technique
Create a simple flipbook storyboard: draw sequential frames, cut and bind pages, flip to test motion, and brainstorm ways to improve your animation.
Step-by-step guide to create a simple flipbook storyboard
Informational Writing for Kids - Episode 2: Brainstorming & Choosing a Topic
Step 1
Pick a very simple action to animate like a bouncing ball blinking eye or a flower opening.
Step 2
Decide how many frames you want to draw try 12 to 20 frames for a smooth flipbook.
Step 3
Cut or fold enough small identical pages from your plain paper so you have the number of frames you chose.
Step 4
Stack the pages in order and number the back of each page from 1 up to your total.
Step 5
On the first page draw the starting position of your object lightly with pencil.
Step 6
On each following page draw the object in the next tiny position so the change from page to page is small.
Step 7
Add details and color to each frame if you want your motion to be clearer or more fun.
Step 8
Trim any uneven edges so all pages are the same size and will flip smoothly.
Step 9
Align the pages in order and hold them tightly along one short edge so the corners match.
Step 10
Fasten the pages along that edge with a stapler binder clip or strip of tape to make your flipbook.
Step 11
Flip the pages quickly with your thumb to watch your animation come to life.
Step 12
Write down three ideas to improve the animation for example add more frames change timing exaggerate the motion or add color.
Step 13
Choose one idea from your list and redraw or add frames that implement that improvement.
Step 14
Flip the updated flipbook again to see how your change affects the motion.
Step 15
Share your finished flipbook creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of plain paper or a stapler if we don't have them?
If you don't have plain paper or a stapler, cut identical frames from cereal boxes, index cards, or sticky notes and fasten the short edge with a rubber band, paperclip, clothespin, or a strip of tape.
My pages don't flip smoothly or the drawing shifts—what should I check?
Make sure you trim uneven edges so all pages are the same size, number the back of each page and align them in order, hold the pages tightly along one short edge before fastening with a binder clip or tape, and redraw any misaligned frames lightly in pencil.
How can I change the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children use fewer frames (6–8), larger simple shapes or tracing templates and let them color after stacking, while older kids can use 20–24 frames, add timing changes or exaggerated motion and finer detail as they 'decide how many frames' and 'add details and color.'
How can we improve or personalize our flipbook beyond the basic instructions?
Follow the 'write down three ideas' step and then add a colored background, more frames to change timing, an illustrated cover with your name, or scan the frames into a GIF or video to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to create a simple flipbook storyboard
How to Write an Imaginative Narrative for Kids Episode 2: Brainstorming
4 Videos
How to Write an Imaginative Narrative for Kids Episode 2: Brainstorming
A Brainstorming Technique for Students that ACTUALLY Works
Animation Basics in 14 Minutes (6 Big ideas for beginners)
Brainstorming Techniques: How to Innovate in Groups
Facts about animation basics for kids
✏️ Professional animators always start with tiny tests: a quick flipbook or pencil test helps tweak timing and motion before full production.
🎞️ Standard film runs at 24 frames per second — animators often draw "on twos" (12 drawings per second) to save time.
📚 The flipbook (also called a flick book or kineograph) was first patented in 1868 by John Barnes Linnett.
🔁 You only need a few dozen pages in a flipbook to show convincing motion — even 10–30 frames can create a fun loop!
🧠 Your brain blends separate images into smooth motion — usually around 16 frames per second or higher looks continuous to most people.
How do you make a simple flipbook storyboard?
What materials do I need to create a flipbook storyboard?
What ages is a flipbook storyboard suitable for?
What are the benefits and easy variations of making flipbook storyboards?
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