Share an animation brainstorming technique
Create a simple flipbook storyboard: draw sequential frames, cut and bind pages, flip to test motion, and brainstorm ways to improve your animation.
About this activity
Create a simple flipbook storyboard: draw sequential frames, cut and bind pages, flip to test motion, and brainstorm ways to improve your animation.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick a very simple action to animate like a bouncing ball blinking eye or a flower opening.
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Step 2
Decide how many frames you want to draw try 12 to 20 frames for a smooth flipbook.
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Step 3
Cut or fold enough small identical pages from your plain paper so you have the number of frames you chose.
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Step 4
Stack the pages in order and number the back of each page from 1 up to your total.
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Step 5
On the first page draw the starting position of your object lightly with pencil.
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Step 6
On each following page draw the object in the next tiny position so the change from page to page is small.
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Step 7
Add details and color to each frame if you want your motion to be clearer or more fun.
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Step 8
Trim any uneven edges so all pages are the same size and will flip smoothly.
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Step 9
Align the pages in order and hold them tightly along one short edge so the corners match.
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Step 10
Fasten the pages along that edge with a stapler binder clip or strip of tape to make your flipbook.
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Step 11
Flip the pages quickly with your thumb to watch your animation come to life.
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Step 12
Write down three ideas to improve the animation for example add more frames change timing exaggerate the motion or add color.
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Step 13
Choose one idea from your list and redraw or add frames that implement that improvement.
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Step 14
Flip the updated flipbook again to see how your change affects the motion.
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Step 15
Share your finished flipbook creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make a simple flipbook storyboard?
Start by planning a very short action (3–12 frames). Draw each frame on the corner of separate small pages or index cards, changing the subject slightly each time to show motion. Stack pages in order, trim edges so they align, and bind with a clip or staple on one side. Hold the bound edge and flip pages with your thumb to test motion. Finally, brainstorm improvements like smoother in-betweens, clearer poses, or added backgrounds.
What materials do I need to create a flipbook storyboard?
Gather about 10–30 small papers or index cards, pencils, eraser, fine-tip markers or colored pencils, scissors, and a stapler or binder clip to hold pages. A ruler helps keep drawings aligned; sticky notes or post-its work for quick tests. Optional extras: a lightbox or bright window for tracing, stickers for decoration, and a hole punch with a binder ring for a neater flip mechanism.
What ages is a flipbook storyboard suitable for?
Flipbooks suit many ages: preschoolers (4–6) enjoy simple two-frame flips with adult help; early elementary kids (6–9) can draw short sequences and learn timing; older kids (10+) can plan storyboards, add details, and refine animation principles. Supervision recommended for scissors and staplers. Tailor complexity to the child’s patience and motor skills and offer tracing or templates for younger artists.
What are the benefits and easy variations of making flipbook storyboards?
Flipbooks develop storytelling, sequencing, timing, and fine motor skills while encouraging observation and creative problem solving. They’re low-cost and build confidence through quick results. Variations include using colored pencils, adding sticky-note layers for easy in-between edits, photographing pages to make a digital animation, creating looped motions, or collaborating on a group storyboard. Always trim and bind safely to avoid paper cuts.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of plain paper or a stapler if we don't have them?
If you don't have plain paper or a stapler, cut identical frames from cereal boxes, index cards, or sticky notes and fasten the short edge with a rubber band, paperclip, clothespin, or a strip of tape.
My pages don't flip smoothly or the drawing shifts—what should I check?
Make sure you trim uneven edges so all pages are the same size, number the back of each page and align them in order, hold the pages tightly along one short edge before fastening with a binder clip or tape, and redraw any misaligned frames lightly in pencil.
How can I change the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children use fewer frames (6–8), larger simple shapes or tracing templates and let them color after stacking, while older kids can use 20–24 frames, add timing changes or exaggerated motion and finer detail as they 'decide how many frames' and 'add details and color.'
How can we improve or personalize our flipbook beyond the basic instructions?
Follow the 'write down three ideas' step and then add a colored background, more frames to change timing, an illustrated cover with your name, or scan the frames into a GIF or video to share on DIY.org.