Start a webcomic
Create a short webcomic by designing characters, scripting simple stories, drawing panels, digitizing pages, and sharing episodes online with adult supervision.
About this activity
Create a short webcomic by designing characters, scripting simple stories, drawing panels, digitizing pages, and sharing episodes online with adult supervision.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick a fun theme for your webcomic and write a one-sentence idea that tells who the hero is and what will happen.
- 2
Step 2
Draw a simple character sheet for your main character showing their face and one special outfit.
- 3
Step 3
Draw a quick character sheet for a sidekick or an opponent with one fun detail about them.
- 4
Step 4
Write a short script that fits three panels by describing the beginning middle and end in three sentences.
- 5
Step 5
Use your ruler to draw the panel boxes on a clean sheet so you have space for three or four panels per page.
- 6
Step 6
Lightly pencil-sketch each panel scene following your script so the actions fill each box.
- 7
Step 7
Trace your pencil drawings with a black pen or fineliner to make bold lines for the comic.
- 8
Step 8
Gently erase the pencil marks so only the inked artwork remains.
- 9
Step 9
Draw speech balloons in each panel and write the dialogue from your script clearly inside them.
- 10
Step 10
Colour your panels using your colouring materials to make the comic bright and fun.
- 11
Step 11
Add a title and episode number on the top of the page so people know it is part of your webcomic.
- 12
Step 12
Ask an adult to help you scan or photograph your finished pages so they become digital files.
- 13
Step 13
With an adult’s help upload and share your finished webcomic episode on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I start a short webcomic with my child?
Start by brainstorming characters and a simple episodic idea together. Write a brief script or three-panel outline for one episode, make rough thumbnails to plan composition, then draw final panels on paper or digitally. Scan or photograph pages, or export art from a tablet, add lettering and speech bubbles with simple image software, then export as web-friendly images. Share episodes online only with adult supervision and set a posting schedule to build routine.
What materials and tools do I need to create a child-friendly webcomic?
You’ll need basic drawing supplies (pencils, erasers, fineliners, colored pencils or markers) and paper or a sketchbook. For digitizing: a smartphone or scanner, or a drawing tablet (iPad or graphics tablet) with apps like Procreate, Clip Studio, or free Krita/GIMP. A simple image editor for lettering, and a safe hosting platform (private blog, kid-friendly comic sites, or social account supervised by an adult). Include chargers and backup storage.
What ages is starting a webcomic suitable for?
Starting a webcomic suits many ages: children 6–8 can make simple three-panel strips with adult help; ages 9–12 can design characters, write short scripts, and learn basic digitizing; teens 13+ can handle more complex storytelling, digital tools, and independent publishing with guidance about privacy. Always supervise online sharing, tailor tasks to attention span and fine-motor skills, and focus on fun and learning rather than perfection.
What safety tips should I follow when my child shares a webcomic online?
Keep safety first: never post real names, addresses, school details, or identifiable photos. Use pen names and fictional locations. Share on kid-friendly platforms or accounts controlled by an adult, enable privacy settings, and moderate comments. Teach children to avoid personal conversations with strangers and to report uncomfortable messages. Keep backups of art, set time limits for online activity, and discuss digital etiquette and copyright basics before publishing.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
If I don’t have a fineliner or a scanner, what can I use instead?
Use a regular black ballpoint pen or a sharpened mechanical pencil to trace your pencil drawings when the instructions say 'trace your pencil drawings with a black pen or fineliner', and ask an adult to photograph the finished pages in bright, even light instead of scanning to make digital files.
What should I do if my panels look cramped or my drawings don’t fit inside the boxes?
Measure and lightly mark panel sizes with your ruler before sketching so you can follow the 'use your ruler to draw the panel boxes' step, then redraw smaller poses or simplify backgrounds in pencil so the actions fit each box before inking.
How can I make this activity easier for a 5-year-old or more challenging for a 12-year-old?
For a 5-year-old, cut down to three big panels, use washable markers for the 'colour your panels' step and pre-drawn character sheets, while a 12-year-old can write a longer script, add extra panels, and fine-tune inks and colours for upload to DIY.org.
What are simple ways to personalize or grow my webcomic after finishing the first episode?
Personalize by designing a unique title banner and consistent episode number at the top of each page, create new character outfits on additional character sheets, and with an adult combine scanned pages into a single file or add simple captions before uploading more episodes.