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You can make a paper-based animation in two simple ways: draw a changing image on each page of a flipbook, or move paper cutouts a little at a time and photograph each position. A flipbook is viewed by riffling its pages; cutout animation is assembled from a sequence of photos. Both work best when each frame changes only a little.
Choose a paper-animation method
| Method | What changes between frames | How you view it | Good first project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-drawn flipbook | You redraw the image with a small change on each page. | Riffle the pages quickly by hand. | A bouncing ball |
| Paper cutout stop motion | You physically reposition paper pieces. | Photograph each position with a phone or tablet, then play the images in sequence. | A simple scene or short story |
The National Museum of Australia describes a flipbook as a stack of slightly different images that appears to move when flipped. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s cut-paper activity uses a different workflow: arrange a paper scene, photograph it, shift the pieces slightly, and photograph it again. National Museum of Australia; The Met.
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How to make a hand-drawn flipbook
Gather simple materials
Use sticky notes or small rectangles cut from ordinary paper. The National Museum of Australia suggests sheets measuring 5 cm × 10 cm. You’ll also need a pencil, eraser, and a way to hold the pages together, such as a bulldog clip, staples, or glue. Alternatively, the George Eastman Museum suggests blank index cards or other heavy paper, drawing tools, and a thick rubber band. A special animation kit is not necessary. National Museum of Australia; George Eastman Museum.
Draw the sequence
- Choose one short action. A bouncing ball is a manageable first subject. If helpful, sketch its start, middle, and end on scrap paper before drawing the pages. Both museum activities use a ball as an example.
- Set a consistent reference. If the ball moves over the ground, draw a horizon or ground line in the same place on each page. The National Museum of Australia suggests tracing the line to keep it steady.
- Draw one frame per page. Begin with the first pose, then make a small change on every following page. For a ball, vary its position and shape: it can stretch as it moves and squash when it hits the ground. The Met’s flipbook activity also shows a ball changing position and shape across sticky-note pages.
- Keep the image in the same area. Use the same part of each page and maintain your reference line. There is no universal required drawing-area measurement; consistency helps reduce unwanted jumps.
- Check and secure the stack. Put the pages in order, align them, and clip, staple, glue, or rubber-band them together so they stay aligned.
- Riffle and revise. Hold the stack and release its page edges quickly with your thumb. If the action jumps, redraw frames so neighboring images change less.
The National Museum of Australia estimates 40–60 minutes for its flipbook activity; that is the museum’s estimate for its project, not a guaranteed completion time for every maker. National Museum of Australia.
How many pages or frames do you need?
There is no single number in these beginner activities. The National Museum of Australia’s undated activity page, accessed in 2026, says to use about 25 frames per second. The George Eastman Museum’s 2020 activity kit says about 16 cards make one second and suggests 30–50 cards for a movie lasting a few seconds. These are different project guidelines, not one shared technical standard. For a first flipbook, prioritize small, gradual changes and a quick, even riffle rather than treating either figure as mandatory. National Museum of Australia; George Eastman Museum.
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How to make paper cutout stop motion
- Make paper pieces. Cut a simple character, object, or background from paper. ACMI lists paper cutouts among materials for stop motion.
- Arrange and frame the scene. Place the pieces on a background and frame the scene with a phone or tablet camera. The Met describes photographing a paper scene with a tablet.
- Move and photograph in small increments. Take a picture, move one or more pieces a little, remove your hands from the scene, and take the next picture. Repeat until you have the action you want.
- Keep the camera steady. A stand can help, but a stack of books is a no-cost support. DIY.org recommends stabilizing the device when footage jitters. Keep the framing consistent as well.
- Check your software before relying on editing aids. ACMI notes that some stop-motion software offers onion skinning, which overlays a prior frame to help guide the next position. Availability depends on the software, so check the app you plan to use.
Consistent lighting is sensible for a photographed sequence, but the cited activity guidance does not establish a quantitative lighting rule.
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Fix common problems
- The subject jumps. Reduce the change between neighboring drawings or photos, check that the pages are in order, and use a steady visual reference such as a ground line.
- The photographed scene jitters. Stabilize the phone or tablet and keep the scene framed consistently. A stack of books can support the device if you do not have a stand.
- The action is hard to follow. Simplify the movement and plan its steps before making every frame. The Eastman Museum recommends sketching an idea first; the Met recommends planning individual movements for a more challenging stop-motion story.
- The flipbook separates or pages are out of order. Recheck the sequence, align the stack, and secure it with a clip, staples, glue, or a rubber band.
Why the images appear to move
In a flipbook, each page changes slightly from the images before and after it. The National Museum of Australia explains that this difference makes the sequence appear to move. The MetKids activity, dated June 5, 2026, describes the effect as an illusion created by the brain and eyes working together. The National Museum of Australia dates flipbooks to the 1860s; that historical date is the museum’s account. National Museum of Australia; The Met.
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