Make an animation sequence
Create a simple stop motion animation using paper cutouts or toys, a smartphone camera, and frame by frame movement to learn timing and storytelling.
Step-by-step guide to make a stop motion animation
How to Create Animated Kids' Story Videos with AI for FREE! | Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1
Gather all your materials and put them on a clear table so they are easy to reach.
Step 2
Pick one short story or action for your animation like âa toy walks across the screenâ or âa bird flies to a tree.â
Step 3
Draw and color a character on paper or choose a small toy to be your main actor.
Step 4
Cut out your paper character carefully with scissors or get your toy ready to use.
Step 5
Lay the plain sheet or poster board flat and tape its edges so it wonât move while you animate.
Step 6
Place your camera device on a stable surface aimed at the whole background so the scene fits in the frame.
Step 7
Open the camera app or a stop-motion app and set it to photo mode.
Step 8
Put your character in the starting spot on the background.
Step 9
Take the first photo to record the starting pose.
Step 10
Move the character a very small distance toward the next pose.
Step 11
Take another photo and repeat moving a tiny bit then taking a photo until your story is finished.
Step 12
Play back the photos as a movie in the app to check timing then save and share your finished animation 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 I use instead of poster board, tape, or a stop-motion app?
Use a large sheet of printer paper or flattened cardboard taped or held down with heavy books as the background (step 5), use a smartphone camera in photo mode if you don't have a stop-motion app (step 6), and have an adult help cut if you don't have scissors (step 4).
My character jumps or the scene flickers when I play the movieâhow can I fix it?
If the character jumps or the scene flickers, retape the background edges so it won't move (step 5), put the camera on a heavier stable surface or tripod (step 6), and move the character only a tiny bit between photos (step 9).
How can I change the activity for younger or older kids?
For ages 3â5 use a small toy actor and let an adult take the photos while the child makes a few big moves (steps 3â9), for 6â9-year-olds have them draw and carefully cut their own character to practice fine motor skills (steps 2â4), and for 10+ encourage using a stop-motion app to adjust timing and add more frames for smoother motion (steps 6 and 11).
How can we make the animation more creative or longer?
To extend or personalize the project, create multiple scenes on different poster board pieces and film each then splice the saved movies together in the app, add sound effects or a voiceover to match the action, and decorate the character with colored pencils or stickers (steps 2, 5, and 11).
Watch videos on how to make a stop motion animation
Learn the basics of 2D animation (exercises, design, walk cycle,...)
4 Videos
Learn the basics of 2D animation (exercises, design, walk cycle,...)
How to Make a Simple Animation in Scratch | Scratch Tutorial
How to animate for beginners? (Easiest method!)
How to Make Kids 3D - Animated Stories Video | Fast, Easy and Free
Facts about stop motion animation for kids
âď¸ Lotte Reiniger pioneered silhouette/cutout animation and made the feature The Adventures of Prince Achmed in 1926.
âąď¸ Beginners often shoot at 12 frames per second (called shooting "on twos") to get smooth motion with fewer photos.
𦴠Ray Harryhausen animated legendary creatures (like in Jason and the Argonauts) and inspired generations of filmmakers.
đŹ Stop-motion makes toys and paper 'come alive' by photographing tiny movements one frame at a time.
đą You can create great stop-motion with just a smartphone, simple tripod, and free apps â perfect for quick projects!
How do I make a simple stop motion animation with paper cutouts or toys?
What materials and apps do I need to create stop motion at home?
What ages is making a stop motion animation suitable for?
What are some benefits, safety tips, and variations for stop motion animation?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required