Learn to Draw Cartoons in Motion - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

All Activities

Learn to Draw Cartoons in Motion

Draw simple cartoon characters, sketch frame by frame poses, and make a flipbook or animated GIF to study timing, motion, and expression.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to learn to draw cartoons in motion

What you need

Paper or index cards, pencil, eraser, black marker, colouring materials (crayons markers or coloured pencils), ruler, binder clip or stapler, scissors (if you need to cut pages), adult supervision required

Step 1

Pick one simple action for your cartoon like jumping waving or running and draw three tiny thumbnail boxes showing the start middle and end pose.

Step 2

Gather 12 to 20 same-size pages or cut a stack of paper into equal rectangles and stack them neatly.

Step 3

Use your ruler and pencil to put a small registration dot in the same spot on every page so your drawings line up.

Step 4

Clip or tape the pages together along one short edge so they stay aligned while you draw.

Step 5

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

Step 6

On the middle page draw a strong key pose that shows the main action or peak of the movement.

Step 7

On the last page draw the ending pose that finishes the action.

Step 8

On each page between the key poses draw the next small step of movement so the character changes little by little from start to end.

Step 9

Go over the pencil lines with your black marker on every page to make clean outlines.

Step 10

Add facial expressions and simple motion lines on each page to show emotion and speed.

Step 11

Colour the drawings on each page if you like using your colouring materials.

Step 12

Flip the stack with your thumb to watch the motion and notice if it feels too fast or too slow.

Step 13

If timing needs change add or erase frames or redo a page to speed up or slow down the action.

Step 14

If you want an animated GIF make one by photographing each page from the same spot with steady lighting and uploading the photos into a GIF maker or app to save the animation.

Step 15

Share your finished flipbook or GIF on DIY.org

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a ruler, binder clip, or black marker?

Use the straight edge of a hardcover book to place the small registration dot with your pencil, secure the stacked pages along one short edge with a rubber band or heavy book instead of a binder clip, and trace over pencil lines with a dark fine-tip pen if you don't have a black marker.

My flipbook looks jumpy or the drawings don't line up — what should I check?

Recheck that the small registration dot is in the exact same spot on every page using your ruler and pencil, realign the pages to that dot and firmly tape or clip the short edge before redrawing or inking to prevent misalignment and jumpiness when you flip the stack.

How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?

For younger kids, use 3–6 thick pages, crayons, and pre-drawn thumbnail start/middle/end templates, while older kids can work with the full 12–20 pages, finer pencils, stronger key poses, black marker inking, and photographing pages to make a GIF.

How can we make the flipbook or GIF more creative or shareable?

Add changing simple backgrounds or a second character across frames, color every page, photograph each page from the same spot with steady lighting to create a smooth animated GIF in an app, and then upload the finished GIF to DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to learn to draw cartoons in motion

0:00/0:00

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 animation and cartooning for kids

🎞️ The flipbook (patented as the "kineograph" in 1868) is one of the earliest and simplest forms of animation — just flip the pages fast!

⏱️ Many hand-drawn cartoons are animated "on twos": about 12 unique drawings per second to match 24 fps film for smooth motion.

🦕 Winsor McCay's Gertie the Dinosaur (1914) was an early animated star that showed characters could have real personality and timing.

🧅 "Onion-skinning" is a drawing technique/tools feature that lets you see faint previous frames so you can plan motion between poses.

🎭 Cartoon animators often exaggerate expressions and poses so emotions and actions read clearly, even in tiny flipbooks or GIFs.

How do I teach my child to draw cartoons in motion step by step?

Start with a very simple character—a circle head and stick limbs. Sketch the key poses first (start, middle, end) to show the main action. Break those into a few in-between frames to smooth movement. Draw each frame on separate pages, flip them as a flipbook or photograph them for a GIF. Check timing by repeating frames or changing counts, then refine expressions and motion arcs for clearer action.

What materials do I need to help my child make a flipbook or animated GIF?

You’ll need plain paper or a small stack of index cards, pencils, erasers, and a binder clip to hold pages. Optional extras: colored pencils, a lightbox or window for tracing, a scanner or smartphone camera, and a simple GIF-making app or stop-motion app. For sturdier flipbooks, use cardstock for the cover and a clip to bind edges. Low-cost supplies work fine for practice.

What ages is learning to draw cartoons in motion suitable for?

This activity suits children about 5–6 years old and up; younger kids can make very simple flipbooks with adult help. Elementary-age kids (7–11) can handle basic timing and multiple frames independently. Teenagers can explore more complex motion, expression, and digital animation tools. Adjust complexity, supervision, and session length to match attention span and fine-motor skills.

What are the benefits of drawing cartoons in motion for kids?

Animating cartoons improves observation, timing, and sequential thinking. It strengthens fine motor skills, encourages storytelling and creativity, and teaches cause-and-effect as kids see drawings come alive. Making flipbooks or GIFs also introduces basic digital skills and patience through iterative editing. It’s low-cost, collaborative, and can boost confidence when kids share finished animations with family.

Ready to create?