Make Post-it Stop Motion Film
Make a stop-motion movie using Post-it notes, a camera or phone, and simple frame-by-frame animation to bring paper characters and scenes to life.
About this activity
Make a stop-motion movie using Post-it notes, a camera or phone, and simple frame-by-frame animation to bring paper characters and scenes to life.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials listed and clear a flat table space to work on.
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Step 2
Choose a simple story idea for your movie like "a Post-it walks across the page" or "a cat finds a hat."
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Step 3
Decide how many small moves or frames you want for your story (aim for 20 to 40 frames).
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Step 4
Draw the main character and any props on individual Post-it notes with your colouring materials.
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Step 5
Carefully cut out the characters and props you drew on the Post-its.
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Step 6
Lay the plain paper down as your background and tape the corners so it stays flat.
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Step 7
Add large background Post-its to the paper to build your scene like trees houses or clouds.
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Step 8
Place your phone or camera on a steady surface or stand above the scene and open the camera app.
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Step 9
Take one test photo to check framing and lighting and fix anything that looks off.
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Step 10
Stick your first character Post-it in the starting spot for the scene.
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Step 11
Take the first photo of your starting scene.
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Step 12
Move the character a tiny bit to the next position.
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Step 13
Take another photo; repeat moving a tiny bit then taking a photo until your story is finished.
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Step 14
Use a stop-motion app or your phone's video editor to assemble the photos into a video and export the movie.
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Step 15
Share your finished stop-motion movie on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make a Post-it stop-motion film?
Start by sketching a short storyboard (5–30 seconds per scene). Create characters and props on Post-it notes, cut and color them, then stick them to a flat background. Mount a phone or camera on a tripod and frame your scene. Take one photo, move the Post-it slightly, then take the next. Keep lighting consistent and make tiny movements between frames. Compile the images in a stop-motion app or video editor, adjust speed, and add sound or music.
What materials do I need to make a Post-it stop-motion movie?
You’ll need Post-it notes in various colors, markers or pens, scissors, and tape for props. A smartphone or camera with a tripod or stable stand is essential. Use a plain background (paper, poster board, or tabletop) and consistent lighting (desk lamp). Download a simple stop-motion or video-editing app to stitch frames, and optional extras include colored paper, pencils, washi tape, and a ruler for precise movement.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
Post-it stop-motion is great for kids aged 4 and up with adult help for cutting and device use. Ages 6–12 can plan scenes, design characters, and handle basic photography independently. Teens can explore more advanced editing, sound design, and frame rates. Supervision is recommended for younger children when using scissors, small parts, or screens, and to help maintain steady lighting and equipment placement.
What are the benefits of making Post-it stop-motion films?
Making stop-motion builds storytelling, sequencing, and planning skills while boosting fine motor control through careful movements. Kids learn patience, problem-solving, and basic cinematography and editing concepts. It encourages creativity, collaboration, and confidence when they see their ideas come to life. The activity is low-cost and reusable, making it a fun way to blend art, technology, and STEM thinking in short, achievable projects.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have Post-it notes or enough sticky paper?
If Post-it notes aren't available, draw your characters on small scraps of paper or index cards and attach them with small pieces of tape or a removable glue dot when you 'Stick your first character Post-it' and move them between frames.
My phone images keep shifting or the characters fall off between photos—how do I fix that?
If framing shifts or Post-its move, redo the test photo, secure your phone on a steady surface or stand as directed in step 'Place your phone or camera on a steady surface,' tape the background corners, and use tiny pieces of tape on the cut-out Post-its so they stay put between frames.
How should we change the activity for younger kids or older kids?
For younger kids simplify the project by choosing 10–15 frames, drawing bigger characters on Post-its and having an adult help with cutting and phone setup, while older kids can aim for 40+ frames, add detailed background Post-its, and do their own editing in the stop-motion app.
How can we make the stop-motion movie more creative or professional-looking?
To enhance your movie, add recorded voiceovers or sound effects in the stop-motion app, layer extra Post-it background pieces and props you 'cut out' to create depth, and tweak lighting after the test photo to change the mood.