Go to a comic convention
Attend a local comic convention with an adult to explore comics, meet creators, sketch favorite characters, learn cosplay basics, and practice polite interview questions.
About this activity
Attend a local comic convention with an adult to explore comics, meet creators, sketch favorite characters, learn cosplay basics, and practice polite interview questions.
What you need
Step by step
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Step 1
Find a local comic convention and pick a day to go with an adult.
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Step 2
Buy or reserve your tickets together with the adult.
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Step 3
Pack your backpack with your sketchbook pencil eraser coloring materials folder for autographs and your tickets.
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Step 4
Put on comfortable clothes and shoes before you leave.
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Step 5
Arrive early and pick up a convention map and schedule at the information desk.
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Step 6
Walk around the show floor for 15 to 20 minutes to spot booths artists and panels you like.
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Step 7
Visit an artist alley table and introduce yourself politely to an artist.
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Step 8
Ask one polite interview question that you practiced with your adult.
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Step 9
Ask for an autograph or a business card if the creator offers one.
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Step 10
Find a quiet spot and sketch your favorite character for 15 to 20 minutes.
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Step 11
Attend a cosplay basics demo or watch a cosplayer to see how costumes are made and worn.
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Step 12
Practice your polite interview questions with your adult while you review what you learned.
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Step 13
Share your finished sketch and what you learned at the convention on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do we attend a comic convention with a child?
Start by choosing a family-friendly local convention and buying tickets in advance. Plan a short schedule with must-see spots (Artist Alley, kid panels, cosplay basics). Arrive early, get a venue map, and set realistic times for panels and breaks. Encourage your child to sketch favorite characters and politely approach creators for autographs. Practice short interview questions beforehand so they feel confident asking about art, inspiration, or character design.
What materials should I bring for a child at a comic convention?
Bring the child's ticket/ID, a sketchbook, pencils and a small eraser, and a portable pencil case. Pack water, easy snacks, a lightweight backpack, hand sanitizer, and a small first-aid kit. Include a portable charger, a folded map or printed schedule, and a thin rain jacket. For simple cosplay repairs, add safety pins, double-sided tape, and clear tape. Also bring a lanyard with emergency contact info.
What ages are comic conventions suitable for?
Comic conventions suit different ages: children around 6 and older generally enjoy visuals, artist booths, and short panels with adult supervision. Ages 8–12 are great for sketching, learning basics of cosplay, and practicing polite interviews. Teenagers benefit from deeper creator interactions and cosplay workshops. Very young children may be overwhelmed by crowds and noise—check the convention's age policies and plan sensory breaks if needed.
What safety tips should I follow when taking a child to a comic convention?
Choose a meeting point, give the child a card or wristband with your name and phone number, and teach them to find staff or security if lost. Keep photos and autograph etiquette clear, respect creators’ boundaries, and watch for crowded areas. Stay hydrated, schedule quiet breaks, and carry emergency info. Agree on a check-in routine and set boundaries about approaching strangers or accepting items from people you don’t know.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a sketchbook, pencil, eraser, or a folder for autographs?
Use a spiral notebook or loose printer paper as your sketchbook, a regular graphite pencil or ballpoint pen plus any eraser, crayons or washable markers for coloring, and a clear plastic sleeve or envelope in your backpack to hold autographs and tickets.
What if an artist is busy or won't sign—how should we handle that at artist alley?
If an artist is busy, politely wait a few minutes or return later using the convention map and schedule, offer your practiced polite interview question, and if they can't sign, ask for a business card or take a quick photo of their table instead.
How can I adapt the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids shorten the show-floor walk and the 15–20 minute sketch to 5–10 minutes, bring noise‑canceling headphones and have the adult handle tickets and introductions, while older kids can spend extra time in panels, ask more detailed interview questions, and bring a portfolio to show artists.
How can we extend or personalize the convention visit after we share on DIY.org?
After sharing your finished sketch and what you learned on DIY.org, turn your sketches and autographs into a mini zine, follow favorite artists on social media, and plan a cosplay or themed art project inspired by the cosplay basics demo.