Make Your Own Emoji
Design and create your own emoji badge using paper, markers, and a safety pin; sketch, color, cut out, and assemble a wearable emoji.
About this activity
Design and create your own emoji badge using paper, markers, and a safety pin; sketch, color, cut out, and assemble a wearable emoji.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials from the list and set them on a clear workspace.
- 2
Step 2
Place the round object on the cardstock and trace one circle with your pencil for the front of your emoji.
- 3
Step 3
Trace a second matching circle on the cardstock for the badge backing.
- 4
Step 4
Draw your emoji face lightly with pencil on the first circle using big simple shapes.
- 5
Step 5
Erase and refine the pencil lines until your emoji looks just right.
- 6
Step 6
Colour your emoji using markers or crayons to make it bright and fun.
- 7
Step 7
Cut out the coloured emoji circle carefully with scissors.
- 8
Step 8
Cut out the second backing circle carefully with scissors.
- 9
Step 9
Cut a small strip of leftover cardstock about one inch wide to make a pin anchor.
- 10
Step 10
Fold the small strip into a loop so it will hold the safety pin.
- 11
Step 11
Glue the folded loop to the center of the back circle to make a secure anchor.
- 12
Step 12
Wait for the glue to dry so the loop is firmly attached.
- 13
Step 13
Ask an adult to help slide the safety pin under the folded loop and close the pin so it is safely attached.
- 14
Step 14
Glue the front emoji circle to the back circle aligning the edges and let the glue dry.
- 15
Step 15
Share a photo of your finished wearable emoji badge on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I make my own emoji badge?
To make an emoji badge, draw a circle on sturdy paper or thin cardboard and sketch your emoji face with a pencil. Color with markers or colored pencils, then cut neatly using child-safe scissors. Glue the colored layer to a backing circle for strength; optionally laminate for durability. Attach a safety pin to the back by folding a small strip of paper over the pin or use adhesive badge backs. Let glue dry before wearing.
What materials do I need to make an emoji badge?
You'll need sturdy paper or thin cardboard, a pencil for sketching, markers or colored pencils, child-safe scissors, glue stick or liquid glue, and a safety pin or adhesive badge backing. Optional materials: a circle template, stickers, glitter pens, clear tape or laminating sheets for durability, foam sheets for a 3D badge, and a ruler. Replace the safety pin with a magnet or keyring for different wearable options.
What ages is making an emoji badge suitable for?
This project fits preschoolers through tweens with adult support. Ages 3–5 can participate by coloring, choosing designs, and helping hold paper while an adult cuts and attaches the pin. Ages 6–8 can sketch, color, and cut with child-safe scissors with supervision. Ages 9+ can complete most steps independently and try more detailed designs or added features like laminating or foam layers for sturdiness.
What safety tips and fun variations are there for making emoji badges?
Safety tip: supervise pin use—consider using adhesive badge backs, safety-lock pins, or magnets for younger children to avoid pricks. Work on a clear surface and teach safe scissor handling. Variations: make foam or felt emojis, add glitter or stickers, turn designs into fridge magnets, keychains, or button badges using a button maker. This activity builds creativity, fine motor skills, social play and gives kids a personalized wearable they can trade or gift.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have cardstock, a round object to trace, or a safety pin?
If you don't have cardstock use flattened cereal-box cardboard for both circles and the one-inch strip anchor, use a mug or jar lid as the round object to trace, and substitute a brooch back, a folded paperclip loop, or a small magnet instead of the safety pin.
My pin anchor keeps coming loose or the badge falls apart when I try to attach the pin — what should I do?
If the folded loop comes loose (step: glue the folded loop to the back circle), reinforce it by gluing a second small strip across the base, press and clamp the glued area while it dries, or use clear tape or hot glue with adult help before inserting the safety pin.
How can I adapt this activity for toddlers, school-age kids, and older kids?
Have an adult pre-trace and cut the circles and pre-fold/glue the pin anchor for toddlers so they can draw and color the emoji (steps: trace, cut, fold, glue), let school-age kids do the cutting and supervised pin attachment themselves, and challenge older kids to add mixed-media details, laminate the badge, or replace the safety pin with a sewn brooch back for a finished look.
How can we extend or personalize the emoji badge project beyond the basic instructions?
To personalize and extend the project, trace extra circles to make a set (step: trace a second matching circle), seal the colored front with clear glue or laminate for durability, add 3D details like googly eyes or foam stickers, or swap the safety pin for a magnet so the emoji can be used on a fridge before sharing a photo on DIY.org.