Make a Claymation Video - Bouncing Ball
Create a short claymation video of a bouncing ball using clay, a phone or camera, stop-motion frames, and simple editing to animate movement.
About this activity
Create a short claymation video of a bouncing ball using clay, a phone or camera, stop-motion frames, and simple editing to animate movement.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Set up a flat workspace by putting the cardboard base on a table and taping the plain poster behind it as your background.
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Step 2
Roll a smooth clay ball about the size of a ping-pong ball so it is ready to bounce.
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Step 3
Place the clay ball at the starting spot on the base where you want the bounce to begin.
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Step 4
Put your phone or camera on the tripod or stack of books and make sure it will stay still.
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Step 5
Look at the screen and frame the shot so the whole bounce path fits inside the picture.
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Step 6
Press the shutter to take the first photo to mark the starting position.
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Step 7
Move the clay ball a tiny bit along the path to show the next position and take another photo.
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Step 8
Repeat moving the ball small amounts and taking one photo each time until the bounce reaches the end position.
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Step 9
Open the photos in your stop-motion app or video editor and import them in order.
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Step 10
Play the frames as a quick slideshow and adjust the speed to about 10–15 frames per second so the ball looks smooth.
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Step 11
Trim or delete any extra photos that make the motion look jumpy and add a title or simple sound if you want.
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Step 12
Export your finished claymation video and share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make a claymation bouncing ball video?
Set up a simple scene on a flat surface with a plain background and steady camera. Roll a clay ball and plan the bounce path. Take one photo, move the ball a tiny bit to show motion (squash it slightly at impact), then take another. Repeat to build frames—more frames = smoother motion. Import photos into a stop-motion app or video editor, set frame rate (8–12 fps for kids), then add sound or titles and export.
What materials do I need to make a claymation bouncing ball?
You’ll need modeling clay or plasticine, a phone or camera, and a stable tripod or stand. Also prepare a plain backdrop, a flat surface, good lighting (desk lamp or window), and a stop-motion app or basic video editor. Optional items: toothpicks for small adjustments, craft tools, colored paper for scenery, and headphones/microphone for sound. Keep small parts away from very young children.
What ages is making a claymation bouncing ball suitable for?
This activity suits children about 5 and up with adult help. Ages 5–7 will enjoy basic frame-by-frame shooting and need supervision for camera and small pieces. Ages 8–12 can plan timing, experiment with squash-and-stretch, and try simple editing. Teens can create smoother animation, add sound effects, and handle more advanced editing and lighting. Adjust complexity and supervision based on the child’s skills.
What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for a claymation bouncing ball project?
Claymation teaches patience, sequencing, fine motor skills, and basic storytelling. Safety tips: use non-toxic clay, supervise small parts, secure the camera/tripod, and limit continuous screen time. Variations include changing ball colors, animating multiple balls, adding characters or backgrounds, creating slow-motion hops, or turning frames into a GIF. Encourage kids to storyboard first and celebrate practice—improvements come quickly with repetition.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of a tripod, poster board, or modelling clay if we don't have them?
If you don't have a tripod, steady your phone on a stack of books as the instructions suggest, tape a plain wall or large sheet of white paper behind the cardboard base in place of a poster, and use Play‑Doh or air‑dry modelling clay rolled into a ping‑pong‑sized ball for the bounce.
My claymation looks jumpy or the ball slides unpredictably—what should I check and fix?
Make sure the phone stays totally still on the tripod/books, move the clay ball only tiny amounts between photos as the steps say, keep the lighting consistent, and then delete or retake frames that cause jumps before setting the speed to 10–15 fps.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger kids, roll a larger ball, take fewer and slightly bigger moves with an adult pressing the shutter, and for older kids have them do finer clay movements, aim for 10–15 frames per second, and use the stop‑motion app to trim and add titles or sound.
What are simple ways to enhance or personalize our bouncing ball claymation?
Add a painted face or tiny props to the clay ball, decorate the poster background or cardboard base with drawn scenery, introduce small obstacles for the ball to bounce off, and use the stop‑motion app to add a title and sound before exporting.