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Draw Cartoons in Motion

Draw Cartoons in Motion
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Create a simple flipbook by drawing sequential cartoon frames, flip pages to watch characters move, and learn basic animation timing and motion.

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Step-by-step guide to draw cartoons in motion

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Learn to Draw with Cartooning 4 Kids

What you need
Black marker, colouring materials like crayons or markers, eraser, pencil, small stack of paper or a pad of sticky notes, stapler or binder clip

Step 1

Choose a simple cartoon character and pick one short action for it to do like a wave a jump or a walk.

Step 2

Take 10 to 20 sheets from your stack and align them neatly so all edges match.

Step 3

Secure the aligned sheets along one short edge with the stapler or binder clip so the pages can flip easily.

Step 4

On the first page draw your character in the starting pose lightly with your pencil.

Step 5

Turn to the next page and draw the same character with a tiny change in position compared to the first page.

Step 6

Repeat the tiny change on each new page until you reach the last sheet so the motion is shown step by step.

Step 7

Lightly erase any stray pencil marks on each page so the drawings look clean.

Step 8

Trace the final important lines on every page with the black marker to make the frames bold and easy to see.

Step 9

Hold the bound edge with one hand and use your thumb to flip the pages quickly to watch your character move.

Step 10

If the motion looks too fast add duplicate frames by drawing the same pose on extra pages to slow it down.

Step 11

If the motion looks too slow redraw a few pages with smaller changes between poses to speed it up.

Step 12

Colour your drawings on each page if you want to make the animation bright and fun.

Step 13

Write a title and your name on the front or back of your flipbook.

Step 14

Share your finished flipbook 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
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Help!?

What can I use if I don't have a stapler or binder clip to secure the pages?

If you don't have a stapler or binder clip, tape the short edge securely or punch holes and tie the pages together so they still flip easily.

My animation looks jumpy—how can I fix it so the motion is smoother?

If the motion looks jumpy because poses don't line up, redraw a few pages with smaller position changes or add duplicate frames of the same pose to smooth and slow the action.

How can I change the activity for younger or older kids?

For preschoolers use about 10 sheets with big, simple pose changes and a parent pre-drawing the starting pose, for elementary kids use 15 sheets with light pencil sketches and erasing, and for older kids use 20 sheets with marker tracing, coloring, and extra frames for finer timing control.

How can I make my flipbook more special or shareable?

To enhance your flipbook, color each page, add a background or stickers, write a title and your name on the cover, and film the flip with a phone to share it on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw cartoons in motion

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

How To Draw Spongebob Squarepants | Beginner Sketch Tutorial

4 Videos

Facts about flipbook animation for kids

✏️ You can create a convincing flipbook with as few as 12–24 drawings — each tiny change becomes a step in the motion.

🐎 Eadweard Muybridge's 1878 photographic studies proved that a galloping horse briefly has all four hooves off the ground.

🎞️ Flipbooks were patented in 1868 by John Barnes Linnett and were once called "kineographs".

🎬 Standard film runs at about 24 frames per second — that's why a quick sequence of drawings looks like smooth motion.

🔄 The zoetrope, invented by William Horner in 1834, makes moving pictures by spinning a strip of drawings and viewing them through slits.

How do I create a flipbook to draw cartoons in motion?

To make a flipbook, stack 30–50 small pages or sticky notes, clip them together, and number lightly. Start with a simple character and draw a key starting pose on the bottom page. Move up one page at a time, changing the character slightly each frame to show motion (arm lift, step). Flip the corner with your thumb to view motion, then refine timing by adding or removing frames. Ink or color after you’re happy.

What materials do I need to make a cartoon flipbook?

Materials you’ll need: a stack of small, uniform papers (index cards, sticky notes, or cut printer paper), a soft pencil and eraser for sketching, a ruler or clip to hold pages, and colored pencils or markers for finishing. Optional: a lightbox or smartphone scanning app to compare frames, and a glue stick to bind finished books. Household substitutes (torn notebook paper) work fine for quick practice.

What ages is drawing cartoons in motion suitable for?

This activity suits preschoolers through teens with adjustments. Ages 4–6 enjoy simple two- to five-frame motions with adult help for cutting and holding pages. Ages 7–10 can plan 12–24-frame actions and learn timing. Ages 11+ can experiment with frame rate, looping, and complex movement. Always supervise scissors and small supplies for younger kids. Tailor frame count and details to attention span and motor skill level.

What are the benefits of making flipbook cartoons?

Making flipbooks builds storytelling, sequencing, and observation skills as kids learn cause-and-effect in motion. It improves fine motor control, patience, and visual memory while introducing basic animation timing and frame rates. This activity boosts creativity and confidence because kids see their drawings come alive. Variations include: pause-and-play loops, using cut-out puppets, or digitizing frames into a simple GIF for sharing.
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