Make a musical video
Plan and record a short musical video using simple instruments, costumes, and a smartphone; learn timing, performance, and basic video editing together with friends.
About this activity
Plan and record a short musical video using simple instruments, costumes, and a smartphone; learn timing, performance, and basic video editing together with friends.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Choose a short song or make a simple melody to perform.
- 2
Step 2
Choose roles for everyone such as singer player director or camera helper.
- 3
Step 3
Gather your instruments and costume pieces in one spot.
- 4
Step 4
Make a simple plan on paper for the song order and one or two easy moves.
- 5
Step 5
Practice the song with your instruments twice to get the timing right.
- 6
Step 6
Mark each performer’s spot on the floor with tape or a prop.
- 7
Step 7
Set up a plain backdrop behind the performance area.
- 8
Step 8
Tidy the performance area to remove tripping hazards.
- 9
Step 9
Place the camera on a stable surface at eye level.
- 10
Step 10
Do a short test recording to check sound and picture.
- 11
Step 11
Record three full takes of your performance.
- 12
Step 12
Review the takes and pick the best one.
- 13
Step 13
Trim the start and end of the chosen take using a basic editing app.
- 14
Step 14
Add a fun title or one simple effect to your trimmed clip.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished video on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you plan and record a short musical video with kids?
Start by choosing a short song or melody and assign simple roles (singer, instrument, dancer). Plan a clear beginning, middle and end, rehearse timing together, and pick costumes and props. Set a smartphone on a tripod or stable surface, check lighting and sound, then record several takes. Use a simple editing app to trim clips, add titles and combine best takes. Finish by watching together and celebrating the final video.
What materials do I need to make a kid-friendly musical video?
You’ll need a smartphone with enough battery and storage, a tripod or steady surface, simple instruments (shakers, tambourine, keyboard or homemade instruments), basic costumes/props, and a child-friendly video editing app. Optional extras include a small external mic for clearer audio, soft lighting or a lamp, printed lyrics or cue cards, and headphones for monitoring sound while editing. Most items can be household substitutes.
What ages is making a musical video suitable for?
This activity suits a wide range: ages 4–6 enjoy simple roles, movement and costumes with close adult support; ages 7–9 can learn timing, basic recording and simple edits; ages 10–14 can plan arrangements, handle editing apps and take leadership roles. Tailor complexity to the child’s attention span and motor skills, and provide supervision for safe use of devices and managing performance nerves.
What are the benefits and safety tips for kids making musical videos?
Creating musical videos builds timing, confidence, teamwork, creativity and basic tech skills. It encourages performance practice and communication. For safety, supervise device use, disable location sharing, get permission before posting, keep videos private or shared only with trusted family, limit screen time, and ensure props are safe. Check volume levels to protect hearing and avoid sharp or heavy props that could cause injury.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of a dedicated camera or a plain backdrop if we don't have them?
Use a smartphone or tablet for the camera and hang a solid-colored sheet or large poster board from a clothesline or tape it to the wall to create the plain backdrop mentioned in the instructions.
What should we do if the sound is too quiet or the picture is shaky during the test recording?
Have performers stand closer to the camera or use an external mic if available, and secure the camera with books or a tripod to reduce shakiness, then repeat the short test recording to check sound and picture as step nine directs.
How can we adapt the activity for younger or older kids?
For preschoolers, simplify by picking one short melody, reducing roles to singer and helper, and skipping editing, while older kids can write a two-line plan, do three full takes, and use a basic editing app to trim and add a title as in steps four, eight, eleven, and twelve.
How can we make the video more creative or professional?
Add simple choreography or colored lighting, film one or two extra camera angles for cuts, and use the basic editing app to trim, add a title, or include a single fun effect before sharing on DIY.org as steps twelve through fourteen suggest.