How to make a Flipbook

Setting this up is a bit time-consuming, so it helps to get a parent in on the action or, if the students are older, have them do some of the preparation! 

You will need anywhere from 20 to 50 pages of preferably white paper.  (This can be scrap as long as you use the blank side.) 

Each page can be fairly small (4 x 3cm).  Students will be drawing on two thirds to one half of the page; otherwise the drawing will be lost in the margin end of the book.

Put all the pages together and secure by a binder clip or staples.  Test the flip of the pages to make sure that they are not sticking together.  Some trimming may be necessary to get it just right.

Now the students create a stencil of the scene that will move throughout the flip book.  This must be fairly simple, especially for the younger grades that should only do one object (e.g. a bug flying through the air from one side of the page to the other).  The stencil is drawn with a fine, dark marker on a paper that fits into the flip book.

Students turn to the last page and slip the stencil under this page.  They will trace the beginning of the object that is first seen entering the page (the beginning of the bug’s antennae).  On the next page they will move the stencil along a small amount and trace the object a little further into the page, increasing bit by bit till the object is completely seen and slides along until the last bit is seen on the last page. 

For the older grades this action can be a bit more complicated than just a slide in and out of sight (an arm moves up and down or a smile develops on a face).

Tracing/drawing should be done with a soft dark pencil.

Enjoy!!