Cartoonify a Household Object
Green highlight

Turn a household object into a friendly cartoon character using paper, markers, glue, and recycled materials; design facial features and pose to express emotions.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to cartoonify a household object

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

A to Z Household Items for Kids | Learn Home Objects Names | Educational Video |

What you need
Adult supervision required, colouring materials such as markers crayons or colored pencils, glue, household object, paper, recycled materials like cardboard bottle caps fabric scraps, scissors, tape

Step 1

Pick one household object you want to turn into a cartoon character.

Step 2

Decide what emotion your character will show like happy sleepy or surprised.

Step 3

Look at your object and choose where a face would fit best.

Step 4

Draw the facial features on paper using a pencil so you can change them if needed.

Step 5

Color the paper features with your colouring materials to make them bright and bold.

Step 6

Cut out the paper features carefully from the paper using scissors.

Step 7

Collect recycled materials to make accessories such as a hat arms or glasses.

Step 8

Glue the paper features and recycled accessories onto your object to make the face and outfit.

Step 9

Add a pose by attaching folded paper legs or arms with tape so the character looks active.

Step 10

Give your character a name and write it on a small paper tag to stick on the object.

Step 11

Share your finished creation 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
Challenge badge placeholder

Help!?

What can we use instead of scissors, glue, or colouring materials if we don't have them at home?

If you don't have scissors for step 6 use torn paper edges or ask an adult to cut with a craft knife, swap glue in step 7 for double-sided tape or a stapler, and replace colouring materials in step 5 with markers, crayons, or painted scraps.

What should we do if the paper face or recycled accessories won't stick or the character keeps falling over?

If features from step 7 won't stick, press them with extra glue or use strong double-sided tape and if folded paper legs from step 8 make the object tip, reinforce or widen the legs with tape or glue a small cardboard base underneath for balance.

How can we adapt this activity for different age groups so it's safe and fun for everyone?

For toddlers use pre-cut paper features, stickers, and wide crayons and let them attach accessories with tape (steps 5–8), while older kids can cut finer details, sew fabric accessories, or add small LEDs and moving joints to arms or legs with supervision (steps 6–8).

How can we extend or personalize the cartoon object after finishing the basic steps?

You can personalize accessories from recycled materials in step 7 with fabric, buttons, or googly eyes, make a small cardboard stage for poses in step 8, write a funny backstory on the name tag in step 9, and film a short video to share on DIY.org in step 10.

Watch videos on how to cartoonify a household object

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How To Cartoonize A Picture | AI Image to Cartoon or 3D Animation Pixar Style

4 Videos

Facts about character design and paper crafts for kids

♻️ Recycling one ton of paper can save about 17 trees, so using recycled materials helps the planet.

✂️ Papercraft and collage let kids layer textures and colors to give flat objects 3D personality and motion.

🤖 Anthropomorphism—giving objects human traits—is how artists turn a teapot or sock into a character with feelings.

🎨 Many cartoons are built from simple shapes—circles, squares, and triangles—so they're easy to draw and remember.

🙂 People around the world commonly recognize six basic facial emotions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise.

How do I cartoonify a household object step by step?

To cartoonify a household object, pick a clean, sturdy item (mug, box, spoon). Decide the character’s personality and emotion. Sketch facial features on paper, color and cut them out, then glue or tape them to the object. Add recycled materials (fabric, bottle caps) for hair, clothes, or accessories. Pose the object by bending parts or adding stands, and let the child name and role-play the character. Supervise cutting and gluing.

What materials do I need to turn a household object into a friendly cartoon character?

You’ll need the household object to transform, paper or cardstock for features, washable markers or crayons, child-safe scissors, white glue or glue sticks, tape, and recycled bits like bottle caps, fabric scraps, and cardboard. Optional extras: googly eyes, pipe cleaners, safe paints, and string. Cover the workspace with newspaper and have wet wipes handy. Avoid small parts for young children and don’t use hot glue without adult supervision.

What ages is this Cartoonify activity suitable for?

This activity suits a wide range: toddlers (3–5) can decorate with stickers and crayons with close supervision; school-age children (6–9) can design and assemble features with child-safe scissors and glue; older kids (10–13+) can plan more detailed characters, use paints, and experiment with mixed media. Always supervise scissors, small decorative parts, and any hot glue or sharp tools. Adapt complexity to the child’s fine-motor skills and interest.

What are the benefits of cartoonifying household objects for kids?

Cartoonifying household objects boosts creativity, storytelling, and fine motor skills as children cut, glue, and decorate. It strengthens emotional literacy by asking kids to express feelings through a character’s pose and face. The activity promotes problem-solving, reuse of recycled materials, and collaborative play when siblings or parents join in. It’s low-cost and adaptable, encouraging confidence as kids create and name their own characters and share stories.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required