Create a Character Of Your Own
Design and draw an original character, choose personality traits and costume, write a short backstory, then share or act out your creation.
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Step-by-step guide to create a character of your own
Creating Interesting Characters - A Beginner's Guide
Step 1
Gather all Materials Needed and put them on a clean table.
Step 2
Imagine your character for one minute and think about what makes them special.
Step 3
Decide whether your character is a human animal or a fantasy creature.
Step 4
Think of one personality trait and write it on a sticky note.
Step 5
Think of a second personality trait and write it on a sticky note.
Step 6
Think of a third personality trait and write it on a sticky note.
Step 7
Draw a simple body shape for your character on your paper.
Step 8
Draw the face and main features that show one of the personality traits.
Step 9
Design and draw a costume and accessories that match your character.
Step 10
Colour your character and costume using your colouring materials.
Step 11
Think of a name for your character and say it out loud.
Step 12
Write a short backstory of three to five sentences on a new sheet of paper.
Step 13
Make a small prop or simple costume piece using scrap paper and glue stick.
Step 14
Practice acting as your character for one minute in front of a family member.
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Help!?
We don’t have sticky notes, a glue stick, or fancy colouring supplies — what can we substitute when we 'think of personality traits' and 'make a small prop'?
Use small squares of scrap paper taped to the page or clipped with a paperclip instead of sticky notes, replace the glue stick with clear tape or a dab of white school glue when making the prop, and colour the character with crayons, markers, colored pencils, or even watercolour paints you already have.
What if my child gets stuck drawing the face that shows a personality trait or is too shy to practice acting for one minute?
If they can’t draw the facial expression in the 'Draw the face and main features' step, give them emoji/photo references or sticker eyes and mouths to place, and if they’re shy about 'Practice acting as your character for one minute,' start with 20–30 second rehearsals in front of a mirror or a stuffed animal before performing for a family member.
How can I modify the activity for different ages while following the steps like 'Draw a simple body shape,' 'write traits,' and 'write a short backstory'?
For preschoolers, limit to one trait with pre-cut body shapes and sticker features; for early elementary keep three sticky-note traits and a one-sentence backstory; for older kids require detailed costume design, a full 3–5 sentence backstory, and a photographed or video share on DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalise the project after finishing the basic steps like colouring, making a prop, and sharing on DIY.org?
Turn the small prop or costume piece into a wearable item using fabric scraps, build a cardboard diorama to stage a photographed scene, film a short character performance to upload to DIY.org, or expand the three-to-five sentence backstory into a mini-comic.
Watch videos on how to create a character of your own
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Facts about character design and creative storytelling for kids
🎨 Many character designers begin with lots of tiny 'thumbnail' sketches — sometimes 20–50 quick ideas — to discover the best silhouette.
🧩 Giving a character 2–3 clear, contrasting personality traits (like brave but anxious) makes them more memorable.
🧥 A single costume piece (hat, cape, mask) can make a character instantly recognizable across different media and cultures.
✍️ Writers often use one-sentence backstory prompts (e.g., "What was their biggest fear as a child?") to unlock rich character details.
🎭 Actors use physical choices—voice, posture, walk—to 'become' a character, which helps reveal personality and emotions for storytelling.
How do I create an original character with my child, step by step?
What materials do I need to create a character-of-your-own activity?
What ages is designing and drawing original characters suitable for?
What are the benefits of creating original characters for children?
