Share Your Zoom Setup
Create and photograph a kid friendly Zoom setup with tidy background, camera angle, lighting, and microphone; describe tips and share with classmates.
About this activity
Create and photograph a kid friendly Zoom setup with tidy background, camera angle, lighting, and microphone; describe tips and share with classmates.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Clear your desk and the floor in front of your background so the space looks tidy and ready for a video call.
- 2
Step 2
Choose a plain wall or hang your cloth behind the desk to make a calm non-distracting background.
- 3
Step 3
Put only the items you need for a call on the desk like a notebook a pen and a water bottle.
- 4
Step 4
Raise your camera to eye level using books or a box so your eyes are centered in the frame.
- 5
Step 5
Sit so the light from the window or lamp shines on your face and not from behind you.
- 6
Step 6
Put on your headphones or place your microphone close enough to pick up your voice clearly.
- 7
Step 7
Add one small tidy decoration like a plant or a small stuffed toy to make the background friendly.
- 8
Step 8
Ask an adult to take a test photo or use a timer to check that your head and shoulders are in the frame and the background looks tidy.
- 9
Step 9
Write three short tips in your notebook that explain your background choice camera angle and lighting.
- 10
Step 10
Take a final photo that shows your setup and place your written tips next to it so both the picture and tips are visible.
- 11
Step 11
Share your finished creation on DIY.org so your classmates can see your setup and learn from your tips.
Fun facts
How do I set up and photograph a kid-friendly Zoom setup to share with classmates?
To do the Share Your Zoom Setup activity, start by asking your child to tidy their background and choose a simple backdrop like a bookshelf or plain wall. Adjust camera height to eye level using a laptop, books or a small tripod. Set soft front lighting, test the microphone, add one kid-friendly prop, then photograph the whole setup from a few angles. Have the child write three quick tips and share the photo and description with classmates using a teacher-approved platform.
What materials do I need to create a child-friendly Zoom setup and take photos of it?
Materials you'll need: a laptop or tablet with camera, smartphone or camera to photograph the setup, a tripod or stack of books to set camera height, a lamp or natural light source, a simple backdrop or tidy wall, headset or external microphone, a small kid-friendly prop, sticky notes for labels, and paper or a device for written tips. Add parental supervision for handling devices and to help with photo-taking or sharing.
What ages is the Share Your Zoom Setup activity suitable for?
This activity suits ages about 6–12: younger children (6–8) will need adult help with camera setup and sharing, while 9–12-year-olds can handle most steps independently and think about lighting and framing. Teens can extend the task with more advanced audio or background design. Always tailor instruction to your child's skills and provide guidance on device safety and online sharing when they prepare photos to send to classmates.
What safety and privacy tips should I follow when kids photograph and share their Zoom setups?
Safety and privacy tips: remove personal information (school name, address, family photos) from backgrounds and use a plain wall or virtual background if available. Get parental permission before photographing or sharing setups; teachers should approve the sharing platform and audience. Turn off location services on the device, avoid full name labels, and supervise file uploads. Teach children to report any uncomfortable messages and practice polite digital etiquette when commenting on classmate
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I don't have a cloth to hang behind my desk or headphones — what can I use instead?
Use a plain bedsheet, poster, or large piece of paper instead of the cloth, and use ear buds or your device's built-in microphone placed close to your mouth if you don't have headphones.
My test photo shows my face in shadow or my camera angle is awkward — how do I fix that?
Move your desk so the window or lamp shines on your face (not behind you), raise the camera to eye level with books or a box, and retake the test photo to check the framing.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children, have an adult help raise the camera with books or a box, take the test photo, and write one short tip in the notebook, while older kids can add more tidy decorations and write three detailed tips before sharing on DIY.org.
How can we personalize or improve the final setup and photo for sharing on DIY.org?
Add one small tidy decoration like a plant or name card that matches your background, place your written three tips next to the final photo, and include both a wide shot and a close-up so classmates can see details.