All Activities
Make a persona

Make a persona
Green highlight

Create a persona by choosing traits, drawing appearance, naming them, writing a short backstory, and imagining goals for stories or play.

Orange shooting star
Start Drawing
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to create a persona

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

DIY Human Origami Tutorial

What you need
A few sheets of extra paper for notes, coloring materials (markers crayons or colored pencils), eraser, paper, pencil

Step 1

Gather your materials and find a comfy spot to sit.

Step 2

Pick what kind of persona you want to create (for example a brave explorer a funny robot or a mysterious wizard).

Step 3

Choose three personality traits for your persona and write them down (for example kind clever curious).

Step 4

Decide on one special feature (a cape a glowing eye a pet or a magical mark) and write it down.

Step 5

Draw a simple outline of your persona on the paper (head body and major shapes).

Step 6

Add details like hair clothes accessories and the special feature you chose.

Step 7

Color your persona using your coloring materials.

Step 8

Give your persona a name and write it near the drawing.

Step 9

Write a short backstory of two to four sentences about where your persona came from and what they like to do.

Step 10

Write three goals or dreams your persona wants to achieve and one problem or fear that makes stories interesting.

Step 11

Share a photo or description of your finished persona on DIY.org so others can see your creation.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder
Challenge badge

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have paper or coloring materials?

If you don't have paper or traditional coloring materials, make your simple outline on a cereal-box panel or cardboard and color it with markers, pens, torn fabric glued on as collage, or even food-safe dyes.

My child can't draw the outline or choose traits—how can we fix that?

If the outline or trait choices are hard, trace a toy or cup for the head/body, pick three traits from a short prompt list (brave, kind, curious), and sketch lightly in pencil so you can erase and add details before coloring.

How can we adapt this persona activity for different ages?

For younger kids use large crayons, stickers for traits, and a one-sentence backstory, while older children can add detailed clothing, a 2–4 sentence backstory, three goals, a fear, and more intricate coloring or mixed-media details.

How can we extend or personalize the finished persona?

Personalize and extend the project by sewing or gluing a real fabric cape for the special feature, adding foil or a tiny LED for a glowing eye, writing a short comic about one of the three goals, and sharing a photo plus description on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to create a persona

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

Character Building For Kids-Character Education-Building Good Character | Social-Emotional Learning

4 Videos

Facts about character creation and storytelling for kids

✍️ Many writers use character sheets (favorite food, biggest fear, secret skill) to build deeper, believable personas.

🎨 Character designers often sketch dozens of looks and outfits before choosing a final appearance.

🧠 Psychologist Carl Jung used the word "persona" to describe the social "mask" we wear — a neat idea for backstories.

🎲 Role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons use character sheets to help players create goals, flaws, and motivations.

🎭 The word "persona" comes from Latin for "mask" — actors used masks to show different characters.

How do you create a persona with a child for stories or play?

Start by asking the child to pick basic traits (brave, curious, shy). Have them draw the character’s appearance, then choose a name. Guide them to write a short backstory (where they’re from, one challenge they faced) and list a few goals or dreams for the character. Finish by role-playing a scene or creating a diary entry. Use open questions and celebrate unusual ideas to keep imagination flowing.

What materials do we need to make a child’s persona?

You’ll need paper or a notebook, pencils, erasers, colored markers or crayons, and optional stickers. A simple template with boxes for traits, drawing, name, backstory, and goals helps younger kids. Extras: magazines for collages, glue, scissors, and a timer for short activities. If preferred, use a tablet or simple drawing app. Keep materials safe and age-appropriate, and have scrap paper for rough sketches.

What ages is persona-making suitable for?

Persona-making works for ages about 4–12, with adaptations. Ages 4–6 enjoy drawing, choosing a name, and simple wants (like "wants a friend"). Ages 7–9 can write short backstories and goals with prompts. Ages 10–12 can explore motivations, flaws, and longer stories. Adults should scaffold the activity for younger kids and offer optional challenges for older children, like tying personas into longer plays or stories.

What are the benefits of creating personas with children?

Making personas boosts creativity, vocabulary, and storytelling skills while strengthening empathy by imagining another’s feelings and goals. It supports planning and sequential thinking as kids build backstories and motivations. Role-playing the persona improves social skills and confidence. This low-cost activity also encourages fine motor skills through drawing and writing, and can be repeated to track a child’s growth in imagination and self-expression.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.

Make a persona. Activities for Kids.