Animation is a way of making pictures or objects appear to move. A character does not have to be a complicated cartoon: a bouncing dot can explain the basic idea.
Pictures become frames
Each picture in an animation is called a frame. When frames show small changes and play one after another, our eyes experience movement.
An easy demonstration
Draw a ball in the corner of the first page of a flipbook. Move it a little on each new page. Flip the pages and watch the ball travel.
Different ways to animate
In drawn animation, an artist changes the drawings. In stop motion, an object is moved between photographs. Computer animation uses digital tools to change objects or images over time.
What to try next
Make a tiny flipbook first. After that, use paper cut-outs to create a short scene with adult help. Both teach observation, patience and planning.
Try something together
Make a bouncing-ball flipbook animation
Animate a bouncing ball on paper, one little drawing at a time.
Create a paper stop-motion scene
Make paper characters appear to move with a series of photographs.
This guide provides general creative-learning suggestions. Choose activities and classes based on your own child and circumstances.