Animate using Tweening
Create a short digital animation using tweening in a simple editor, placing keyframes and adjusting easing to make smooth motion and expressive movement.
About this activity
Create a short digital animation using tweening in a simple editor, placing keyframes and adjusting easing to make smooth motion and expressive movement.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Open your tweening animation editor.
- 2
Step 2
Create a new blank project.
- 3
Step 3
Add or draw a simple sprite or shape on the stage.
- 4
Step 4
Move the sprite to the place where you want it to start.
- 5
Step 5
Add a keyframe at frame 1 for your sprite.
- 6
Step 6
Add a second keyframe near the end of the timeline for the final pose.
- 7
Step 7
Move the sprite to its final position at that second keyframe.
- 8
Step 8
Create a motion tween between the first and second keyframes.
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Step 9
Set the easing to ease in or ease out to make the motion feel natural.
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Step 10
Add a middle keyframe halfway through the timeline.
- 11
Step 11
Change the sprite scale or rotation at the middle keyframe to add a little expression like a bounce or twist.
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Step 12
Press play to preview your animation and watch how it moves.
- 13
Step 13
Tweak the keyframe positions timing or easing until the motion looks smooth.
- 14
Step 14
Export or save your animation as a GIF or MP4.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished animation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you create a short tweening animation in a simple editor?
Open a simple animation editor and start a new project. Place your object or character on the stage, then add a starting keyframe and move the playhead to the end point and add an ending keyframe. Use the editor’s tween feature to interpolate motion, then adjust easing curves to make movement smooth and expressive. Preview, refine timing and poses, add simple secondary motion, and export a short clip when you’re happy with it.
What materials and software do I need to teach a child tweening animation?
You need a computer or tablet, a mouse or stylus, and a simple tweening editor (Wick Editor, Synfig, OpenToonz, or kid-friendly apps with tween support). Also have a basic storyboard or sketchbook, reference images, and headphones if needed. Optional: a camera for reference motion and spare storage for project files. Ensure parental controls and an account if the app requires sign-in.
What ages is tweening animation suitable for children?
Tweening suits kids roughly aged 7 and up. Younger children (7–9) can follow guided activities using simple editors and pre-made assets, while older children (10+) can plan keyframes, tweak easing, and refine timing more independently. Adapt complexity to attention span: short two-key tweens for beginners, more keyframes and layered motion for older kids learning principles like squash and stretch or follow-through.
What are the benefits of teaching kids tweening animation?
Tweening teaches sequencing, timing, and cause-and-effect while boosting creativity and storytelling. Kids learn digital skills—keyframes, easing, layers—and develop patience and problem-solving as they refine motion. It also improves fine motor control and visual planning when creating poses and timing. Short projects give quick wins, encouraging experimentation and confidence with technology and art.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have the specific tweening animation editor the instructions mention?
Open a free alternative like Wick Editor, FlipaClip, or an online editor and then follow the first step to 'Open your tweening animation editor' so you can create a new blank project and add a sprite.
The sprite isn't moving or easing doesn't seem to work — what should we check?
Confirm you added a keyframe at frame 1 and a second keyframe near the end, created a motion tween between them, and enabled the easing option on that tween so the sprite will interpolate and ease correctly.
How can we change the activity to suit different ages or skill levels?
For younger children, keep it simple with only start and end keyframes and a big shape to move, and for older kids, add the middle keyframe, change scale or rotation, experiment with easing curves, and tweak timing for more advanced motion.
How can we extend or personalize the animation after finishing the basic tween?
Add background layers and extra sprites with staggered keyframes, include sound, refine the middle keyframe's scale or rotation for expression, then export as a GIF or MP4 and share the finished animation on DIY.org.