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Create a Claymation

Create a Claymation
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Make clay characters and a tiny set, photograph frame by frame with a phone, then edit the photos into a short stop motion film.

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Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to create a claymation

What you need
Adult supervision required, colouring materials or scrap paper, desk lamp or steady light, flat tray or table surface, modeling clay, small cardboard box or shoebox, small props like buttons or bottle caps, toothpicks or thin wire

Step 1

Think of a short silly story and draw three boxes showing the beginning middle and end of what will happen.

Step 2

Turn the shoebox into your tiny stage by lining it with coloured paper and cutting a simple backdrop.

Step 3

Shape 2 or 3 clay characters and press a toothpick or thin wire into each so they can stand and be posed.

Step 4

Make tiny props from clay buttons or scraps and place them on the stage where you want them to appear.

Step 5

Put your set on a flat tray or table and place the lamp so the whole scene is bright and evenly lit.

Step 6

Prop your phone on a stack of books or a tripod so the camera is steady and the whole set fills the frame.

Step 7

Tap and hold the camera screen to lock focus and exposure so the light and focus stay the same between photos.

Step 8

Take one test photo and check that the characters are framed and the light looks good.

Step 9

Take the first photo to start your claymation sequence.

Step 10

Move your characters a tiny amount about 2 to 5 mm toward the next pose.

Step 11

Take another photo after moving the characters.

Step 12

Repeat Step 10 and Step 11 until your story is finished or you have about 40 to 60 photos.

Step 13

Import your photos into a stop-motion app or video editor on your device.

Step 14

Edit the photos into a short movie set the frame rate to about 12 frames per second and export the video.

Step 15

Share your finished claymation on DIY.org and show everyone your tiny movie!

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use instead of thin wire or toothpicks from Step 3 if I can't find them?

If you don't have toothpicks or thin wire for Step 3, use wooden cocktail skewers trimmed to size, pipe cleaners pushed into the clay, or straightened paperclips as reusable armatures so the figures can stand and be posed.

My photos are coming out blurry or my characters keep falling over—what should I check?

Make sure each character has a toothpick/armature pressed in from Step 3 and is anchored to the stage on a flat tray (Step 5), prop the phone steadily on books or a tripod (Step 6), tap-and-hold the screen to lock focus/exposure (Step 7), and move the figures only 2–5 mm per frame (Step 10) to prevent blur and tipping.

How can I change the activity for different ages?

For younger kids simplify the story to two panels, use store-bought playdough and take 10–20 larger-step photos, while older kids can build wire armatures in Step 3, craft detailed props from buttons/scraps in Step 4, and shoot 40–60 frames to edit at ~12 fps (Steps 11–13).

What are quick ways to enhance or personalize our claymation?

Paint or tape a detailed backdrop into the shoebox (Step 2), make textured props from buttons/scraps (Step 4), diffuse the lamp with tracing paper for even light (Step 5), add sound effects or music when you import into the stop-motion app and include a title card before sharing on DIY.org (Steps 12–14).

Watch videos on how to create a claymation

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How to make a Claymation film! An online tutorial

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Facts about stop-motion animation for kids

⏳ Professional stop-motion shorts often take months (or longer) to create, so patience is a superpower for animators.

🦶 Animators sometimes move characters as little as a millimeter between frames to produce smooth, lifelike movement.

🧱 Clay animation (claymation) uses squishy materials like plasticine so characters can be reshaped between frames for expressive motion.

🎬 Stop-motion animation dates back to the 1890s, making it one of the oldest animation techniques in film history.

📸 To make one minute of film at 24 frames per second you'd need 1,440 photos — short scenes still take many pictures!

How do you create a claymation stop-motion film?

To make a claymation, plan a short storyboard or sequence, sculpt simple clay characters and build a tiny set. Secure your phone on a tripod and use consistent lighting. Move characters in tiny increments, taking a photo after each small change. Aim for 8–12 frames per second for smooth motion. Import the photos into a stop-motion app or video editor, adjust frame rate, add sound effects and music, then export your short film.

What materials do I need to make a claymation?

You'll need air-dry or modeling clay for characters, a small base or box to build the set, basic props (paper, cardboard, fabric), a smartphone with a camera, a stable tripod or phone stand, good lighting (desk lamps or daylight), toothpicks/wire for armatures, sculpting tools or household items for shaping, and a stop-motion app or video editor to compile frames. Optional: craft paint, glue, and a small ruler to measure consistent movements.

What ages is creating claymation suitable for?

This activity suits children aged about 6 and up, with supervision. Ages 6–8 enjoy simple characters and basic frame-by-frame shooting with adult help. Ages 9–12 can handle more detailed sculpting, planning, and editing, while teens can make longer narratives and complex sets. Younger children (3–5) can join by shaping clay or moving characters while an adult photographs. Adjust expectations for attention span, fine motor skills, and provide supervision for small parts and tools.

What are the benefits of making claymation?

Making claymation boosts creativity, storytelling, fine motor skills, and patience as children plan scenes and move characters precisely. It teaches sequencing, problem-solving, basic filmmaking and editing skills, and teamwork when collaborating. The slow, careful process improves focus and attention to detail. It’s also screen-positive: kids learn to create content rather than just consume it. For safety, supervise small parts and tools, and use non-toxic clay suitable for children.
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