DIY in ASL!
Learn and practice basic American Sign Language signs by creating a short ASL video or flipbook showing greetings, alphabet letters, and simple words.
About this activity
Learn and practice basic American Sign Language signs by creating a short ASL video or flipbook showing greetings, alphabet letters, and simple words.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Decide whether you will make a short ASL video or a flipbook.
- 2
Step 2
Pick 3 greetings 5 alphabet letters and 5 simple words you want to show in ASL.
- 3
Step 3
Write each chosen greeting letter and word on a separate sheet or card.
- 4
Step 4
For each item look up the correct ASL sign in an ASL video or online dictionary.
- 5
Step 5
Practice each sign in the mirror until you can make it clearly and confidently.
- 6
Step 6
If you chose a flipbook draw the starting hand position for your first sign on the top page.
- 7
Step 7
If you chose a flipbook draw small changes on each following page to show the hand moving through the sign.
- 8
Step 8
If you chose a flipbook repeat drawing frames for every chosen greeting letter and word.
- 9
Step 9
If you chose a flipbook stack the pages in order and staple or clip them so you can flip them quickly.
- 10
Step 10
If you chose a video set up a quiet background and position yourself so the camera would see your hands clearly.
- 11
Step 11
If you chose a video record a short clip of each sign in the order you chose.
- 12
Step 12
If you chose a video edit your clips into the correct order.
- 13
Step 13
If you chose a video add a simple title card or caption for each sign.
- 14
Step 14
Practice showing your flipbook or play your video once to make sure each sign looks clear.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you do the DIY in ASL activity?
Start by choosing 8–12 basic signs: greetings (hello, goodbye), a few alphabet letters, and simple words (mom, eat). Practice each sign in front of a mirror, then plan a short sequence. For a video, set up a steady camera, face the lens, sign slowly, and add captions. For a flipbook, draw each hand position on sequential cards and bind them to flip. Review, correct, and celebrate progress together.
What materials do I need for DIY in ASL?
You’ll need a smartphone/tablet or simple camera and a stable surface or tripod, good lighting, and a mirror for practice. For a flipbook, use index cards or paper, markers or pencils, a stapler or binder rings, and a ruler. Optional resources: an ASL chart or app, props for words (toy phone, cup), and a basic video-editing app to add captions and trim clips.
What ages is DIY in ASL suitable for?
This activity works well for ages about 4–12. Preschoolers (4–6) benefit from short, repeated sessions and adult modeling. School-age kids (7–12) can plan, record, and edit more independently. Adapt complexity: use only greetings and a few letters for younger children, add spelling and simple sentences for older kids. Always supervise recording and guide correct handshapes and movements.
What are the benefits and safety tips for DIY in ASL?
Learning ASL boosts visual language skills, fine motor control, memory, and cultural awareness, and builds confidence through sharing work. Safety tips: don’t post videos with full names or personal info, get parental permission before sharing online, and supervise recordings. Encourage respectful use of ASL and focus on accurate handshapes and facial expressions to support clear communication.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have index cards, a stapler, or a camera?
Cut regular printer or scrap paper into card-sized sheets or use cereal-box cardboard for sturdy pages, fasten flipbook pages with a binder clip or tape instead of a stapler, and use a smartphone or tablet to record following the 'set up a quiet background and position yourself so the camera would see your hands clearly' step.
My hands look blurry or keep going off-camera when I record—how do I fix that?
Move to a well-lit, plain background, position the camera so your hands fill the frame as the instructions say, record short clips for each sign and review each clip to re-record any unclear takes before you 'edit your clips into the correct order.'
How can I change this activity to suit younger or older kids?
For younger kids, choose fewer items (for example 1–2 greetings and 3 letters), use large drawings on thick paper and practice each sign in the mirror together with an adult, while older kids can expand to sentences, add captions or a title card, and edit the clips into a polished video.
How can we make the flipbook or video more creative or educational?
Add colored cards or drawings for each word, include a short caption or title card for every sign as you 'add a simple title card or caption for each sign,' record slow-motion clips for tricky signs, and personalize the project with your own name sign before sharing on DIY.org.