Share your Pet's POV
Create a short pet POV video or illustrated diary by safely filming or drawing from your animal’s eye-level, adding captions to show its thoughts.
About this activity
Create a short pet POV video or illustrated diary by safely filming or drawing from your animal’s eye-level, adding captions to show its thoughts.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Find a quiet safe spot where your pet feels happy and relaxed.
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Step 2
Sit or kneel so your eyes are level with your pet using the cushion if you need extra height.
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Step 3
Choose whether you will film a pet POV video or make an illustrated pet POV diary.
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Step 4
If you chose to film place your recording device at your pet’s eye level so it shows what your pet sees.
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Step 5
If you chose to film gently get your pet’s attention with a treat or toy so it looks naturally toward the scene.
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Step 6
If you chose to film record several short clips of what your pet sees for 15 to 60 seconds each.
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Step 7
If you chose to film review your clips and pick the moments that show your pet exploring or reacting.
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Step 8
If you chose to film add short captions that show your pet’s thoughts above the clips using a simple editing app.
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Step 9
If you chose to draw watch your pet for a minute from eye level and notice the objects and actions it sees.
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Step 10
If you chose to draw sketch the scene from your pet’s point of view on your paper.
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Step 11
If you chose to draw colour your sketch and write thought or speech captions to show your pet’s voice.
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Step 12
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I create a pet POV video or illustrated diary?
To create a pet POV video or illustrated diary, start by choosing a calm time and a comfortable spot. Film at the animal’s eye level using a low tripod, handheld phone, or lightweight pet camera. Keep clips short (10–30 seconds) and use treats or toys to guide natural behavior. For illustrated diaries, sketch from ground perspective after watching the pet. Add short captions that voice the pet’s thoughts, edit into a simple sequence, and share safely.
What materials do I need for a pet POV video or illustrated diary?
You'll need a smartphone or camera, a low tripod or handheld grip, and a lightweight pet camera or chest harness designed for animals if you choose attachable shots. Bring treats, favorite toys, a leash or harness, and a soft mat for comfort. For illustrated diaries, have sketchbook paper, pencils, markers, erasers, and colored pencils. Also useful: a simple video-editing app, captioning tools, and adult supervision for handling equipment safely.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
This activity suits many ages: preschoolers (4–6) can participate with heavy adult help—mostly observing and choosing captions. Elementary kids (7–11) can film short clips, draw illustrations, and write simple captions with supervision. Tweens and teens (12+) can plan shots, edit videos, add creative captions, and safely share finalized work online with parental approval. Always supervise around animals, and tailor tasks to a child’s motor skills and attention span.
What safety tips should I follow when filming my pet's POV?
Keep your pet safe and comfortable: never mount heavy gear to an animal, use lightweight mounts or hold the camera at ground level. Limit sessions to a few minutes and watch body language—stop if the pet seems stressed. Use treats gently; avoid slippery surfaces or noisy locations. When sharing online, blur addresses or tags and ask permission before posting other people. Always supervise children near animals and equipment, and prioritize the pet’s wellbeing over getting a shot.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a recording device, cushion, or editing app?
Use a smartphone or tablet as your recording device, a stack of books or a folded blanket instead of a cushion to reach eye level, and free apps like iMovie or CapCut for captions—or switch to the 'choose to draw' steps using paper and pencils to make an illustrated pet POV diary.
My pet won't look at the camera or keeps moving—how can I still get good clips?
Gently get your pet’s attention with a treat or toy as the instructions say, record several short 15–60 second clips at your pet's eye level (using the cushion or books) and then review the clips to pick the moments that show your pet exploring or reacting.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger children, follow the 'choose to draw' steps—watch your pet for a minute, sketch big shapes on paper, and add simple thought captions, while older kids can 'choose to film', record multiple clips, and use a simple editing app to add captions and more complex storytelling.
How can we make the pet POV project more creative or personal?
After you review clips and add short captions, personalize the project by recording a voiceover or adding sound effects in your editing app, or create a recurring illustrated diary series with coloured sketches and speech captions and share the finished creation on DIY.org.