Make an Animated Movie
Plan a short storyboard, create simple characters from paper or clay, photograph frames, add voices and music to make a short animated movie.
Step-by-step guide to make an animated movie
How To Create Kids Animation Learning Videos Using CANVA For Beginners (FULL TUTORIAL)
Step 1
Gather all your materials and clear a flat workspace so you have room to build and film.
Step 2
Think of a very short story with a beginning middle and end and say it out loud once.
Step 3
Draw four simple storyboard boxes on a sheet of paper and sketch what happens in each box.
Step 4
Choose whether to make paper cut-out characters or clay figures and pick which one to make now.
Step 5
Create your characters using paper shapes or by sculpting simple clay figures.
Step 6
Decorate the cardboard or box lid to make a stage and attach a simple backdrop.
Step 7
Place your characters and any props on the stage in the starting pose from the first storyboard box.
Step 8
Set your phone or camera on a steady surface and frame the whole stage so nothing gets cut off.
Step 9
Take one photo of the starting pose to make your first frame.
Step 10
Move the characters a tiny amount toward the next action in your storyboard.
Step 11
Repeat moving the characters a tiny amount and taking a photo until you have frames for each part of your story.
Step 12
Record voices for each character and any sound effects using a phone or computer microphone.
Step 13
Import your photos into a simple video editing app on a phone or computer.
Step 14
Add your recorded voices and a bit of background music in the editor and set each photo to show quickly so the motion looks smooth then export the movie file.
Step 15
Upload and share your finished animated movie 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 modeling clay, cardboard, or a tripod if we can't find them?
If you don't have modeling clay, make paper cut-out characters from construction paper or use pipe cleaners; replace the cardboard stage with a shoebox lid or a hardcover book and tape a paper backdrop to it; and steady your phone by propping it on stacked books or taping it to a heavy object.
Why does the animation look jumpy or the characters keep falling over, and how do we fix it?
If the motion looks jumpy, make tinier moves between photos and take more frames as you 'move the characters a tiny amount', keep lighting consistent, steady your phone on a flat surface or weight it down, and secure paper or clay figures to the stage with Blu-Tack or tape so they don't tip.
How can I adapt this activity for younger children or make it more challenging for older kids?
For preschoolers, simplify by using only two storyboard boxes and paper cut-outs with big moves and fewer photos, while older kids can sculpt detailed clay figures, use many more frames for smooth motion, record dialogue and sound effects with a microphone, and try a more advanced video editor when importing the photos.
What are some ways to extend or personalize our animated movie after it's finished?
To extend and personalize the movie, add layered handmade props and backdrops to your cardboard stage, create lip-sync by matching mouth positions to recorded voices, include titles and credits and custom background music in the video editor before exporting, and experiment with simple camera sliders or different angles for more dynamic shots.
Watch videos on how to make an animated movie
Simple Techniques to Create an Animated Film in Adobe Animate and Premiere Pro with Chris Georgenes
4 Videos
Simple Techniques to Create an Animated Film in Adobe Animate and Premiere Pro with Chris Georgenes
Easy Animation Method: Create Stunning Animations in Minutes! | Beginner-Friendly 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
✏️ Storyboards are like comic-strip blueprints for movies; Walt Disney’s studio helped popularize them for planning scenes.
📸 A 30-second stop-motion short at 12 fps needs about 360 photos — that’s 360 tiny moves you get to create!
🧱 Clay animation (aka claymation) uses squishable plasticine so characters can be reshaped frame by frame — Wallace & Gromit made it famous!
🎞️ Many animated films run at 24 frames per second, but stop-motion often uses 12 fps to cut the number of photos while still looking smooth.
🎙️ Voice actors often record their lines before animating so animators can match mouth shapes and timing to the performances.
How do I make a short animated movie with my child?
What materials do we need to make a simple stop-motion animated movie?
What ages is making a stop-motion animated movie suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for kids making animated movies?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required