Take a selfie with a cool background

What can we use if we don't have a camera, lamp, or special props listed in the instructions?

Use a smartphone camera held at arm's length instead of a separate camera (step 9), position yourself near a sunny window if you don't have a lamp (step 6), and make props from household items like a scarf, hat, book, or favorite toy (step 5).

My selfies look dark, blurry, or the background is distracting—what should I try?

Move closer to or face a window or turn on a lamp for better light (step 6), remove or move unsafe or distracting items from the background with your adult's help (steps 3–4), and steady the camera on a table or use a timer so your arm-held shots are less blurry while you take several photos to pick the sharpest one (steps 9 and 11).

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For toddlers have an adult pick the safe background, clear items, hold the phone, and guide one simple pose and expression (steps 1, 3–4, 9, 7–8), while older kids can try multiple poses, experiment with lighting and props, and choose and share their favorite photo themselves (steps 10–12).

How can we extend or personalize the selfie activity after taking photos?

Make a theme (superhero, nature, color), add simple costumes or more props from step 5, edit or crop favorites to create a collage or mini photo-story, and then share your best shot on DIY.org with your adult's help (steps 5, 10–12).