Stop-Motion Animation

This activity is ideal for elementary to middle school students!

Did you know that hit movies like Chicken Run, Coraline, and Fantastic Mr. Fox all have something in common? They were all made with stop-motion! Each movie is comprised of thousands of still frames that, when played consecutively, create motion! However, you don’t need a multi-million dollar budget to make a simple stop-motion film—you can make a video at home with just a few materials and a bit of time!

Materials: Camera (i.e. phone, tablet), backdrop (wall, posterboard, bedsheet, etc.), toys or objects to animate, *optional: Stop Motion app for easy compilation of photos

Directions: Set your initial scene of toys/objects on your backdrop and snap a picture.

Make a small adjustment/move the objects slightly in the direction you want them to eventually go and snap a picture.

Continue the process until you’ve moved the objects to their final position.

Compile your photos onto a video editing app (this is where an app designed to help create stop motion videos can be helpful!) and enjoy your masterpiece.

Challenge for older students: Create a storyboard for your stop-motion video to keep your film on track, or even try creating your own characters out of clay or other craft supplies!