Make a stop-motion video of a moving vehicle.
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Create a stop-motion video of a toy vehicle moving across a simple track using a smartphone or camera, small position changes, and basic editing.

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Step-by-step guide to make a stop-motion video of a moving vehicle

What you need
Adult supervision required, flat table or clear floor space, masking tape, small props like blocks or toy trees, stack of books or small box to prop a camera, sticky notes or ruler, toy vehicle

Step 1

Clear a stretch of flat table or floor so you have plenty of room for your track.

Step 2

Lay two parallel strips of masking tape on the surface to make a straight track for the vehicle.

Step 3

Place small props like blocks or toy trees along the sides of the track to make a fun scene.

Step 4

Put your toy vehicle at the starting end of the track so it's ready to move.

Step 5

Prop your camera or phone on the stack of books so the lens faces the track and will not move.

Step 6

Look at the camera screen and adjust it so the entire track and vehicle are inside the frame.

Step 7

Press the shutter button to take the first photo of the vehicle at the start position.

Step 8

Move the vehicle forward a very small amount (about 1 centimeter or the width of a coin).

Step 9

Press the shutter button to take the next photo of the new vehicle position.

Step 10

Repeat moving the vehicle a small step and taking a photo until the vehicle reaches the end of the track.

Step 11

Transfer all the photos into your photo or video editing app on a computer or tablet.

Step 12

Put the photos in order from first to last so the movement will play correctly.

Step 13

Set the playback speed to about 10 to 15 frames per second so the motion looks smooth.

Step 14

Export the finished stop-motion as a video file from the app.

Step 15

Share your finished stop-motion video of the moving vehicle on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have masking tape or small toy props for the track and scenery?

If you don't have masking tape or toy props, substitute painter's tape or a ruler/string for the 'Lay two parallel strips of masking tape' track and use LEGO bricks, folded paper trees, or cardboard cutouts for the 'Place small props' step.

My camera moved or the motion looks jerky—what should I check or change so the stop-motion works?

To avoid a shifted camera or choppy motion, firmly secure the 'stack of books' or use a phone stand and timer/remote for the 'Press the shutter button' step, keep lighting steady, and move the vehicle in very small ~1 centimeter (coin-width) steps as instructed.

How can I adapt this stop-motion project for younger children or for older kids wanting more challenge?

For younger children, have an adult hold the phone or help with the 'Prop your camera or phone on the stack of books' step and use larger, fewer moves and photos, while older kids should use precise ~1 cm moves, add detailed props along the track, and set playback to 10–15 fps for smooth motion.

What are simple ways to enhance or personalize the finished stop-motion before exporting and sharing?

After you 'Transfer all the photos into your photo or video editing app,' enhance the video by adding sound effects or music, animating multiple vehicles or background paper scenery, fine-tuning the playback speed (10–15 fps), then 'Export the finished stop-motion' and share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make a stop-motion video of a moving vehicle

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How to MAKE a STOP-MOTION VIDEO with a PHONE

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Facts about stop-motion animation

⏱️ Animators often shoot "on twos" (each position shown for two frames) to save time while keeping motion smooth.

📸 A 10-second stop-motion clip at 12 fps needs 120 photos, so even short videos can take lots of pictures!

🎬 Classic films like King Kong (1933) used stop-motion to bring monsters and models to life.

📱 Most smartphones can record at 30 or 60 fps — or take steady still photos you can stitch into stop-motion.

🚗 You can make a toy car look like it's driving smoothly with about 12 frames per second (fps).

How do you make a stop-motion video of a moving toy vehicle?

Set up a stable camera (smartphone on a tripod) and a simple track on a flat surface. Frame the scene and lock exposure/auto-focus. Place the toy at the start, take a photo, move the vehicle a small, consistent amount, and take another. Repeat until the vehicle reaches the end. Import images to a stop-motion app or video editor, set frame rate (6–12 fps for smooth motion), add sound, then export. Keep lighting steady and mark positions for consistency.

What materials do I need to make a toy vehicle stop-motion video?

You’ll need a smartphone or camera, a tripod or steady holder, a toy vehicle, and a simple track (tape, cardboard, or a paper road). Also gather a stable background, good lamps for consistent lighting, sticky tack or modeling clay to steady pieces, a ruler or masking tape to mark positions, and a stop-motion app or basic video editor for compiling frames and adding sound.

What ages is making a stop-motion vehicle suitable for?

Stop-motion works well for a wide range: preschoolers (5–6) can join with adult help to move toys; elementary kids (7–11) handle most steps with supervision; and teens enjoy more complex planning and editing. Young children will need help with camera setup, tiny moves, and exporting videos. Adjust complexity—short clips and larger moves for younger kids, finer increments and longer scenes for older children.

What are the benefits and creative variations for this stop-motion project?

This project builds patience, planning, fine motor skills, and basic storytelling and tech confidence. Creative variations include animating multiple vehicles, adding characters or clay props, changing frame rate for fast/slow motion, using mini-sets or green-screen backgrounds, or making a chase scene. Safety tip: keep small parts away from very young children and secure tripods and lamps to avoid tipping. Experiment with sound effects and titles to boost engagement.
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Make a stop-motion video of a moving vehicle.