17 games and applications for creating animation and animation – for children and teenagers
For children, creating animation and animation is a fascinating process. If a child is interested in this area, it is not always necessary to sign up for clubs: there are a number of functional, simple and complex applications and full-fledged programs, including for children, where you can learn how to create animated characters, cartoons and even full-fledged games. This is what we want to talk about.
We are in Pixel We use various supporting environments and applications to teach preschoolers and schoolchildren programming, creating games, animation and simple animated films. These are Scratch Junior, Scratch, Roblox and more. They simplify the completion of courses, help to better reveal creative abilities and consolidate knowledge, hone general and specific skills. At six–seven years or later – doesn't matter.
Today we want to talk about 17 games and applications that will help if a child is interested in creating animation, animation, and performing similar digital projects. We provided 3 thematic blocks for ease of navigation, highlighted and also described:
Mobile applications for preschoolers and primary schoolchildren.
Simple programs for beginners where you can create animations and games.
Professional software that is more suitable for teenagers with experience.
So, we suggest you get started.
9 mobile apps for beginner animators with no experience
First, let's look at applications where, thanks to simple and easy-to-use tools and functions, every creative child of preschool or school age will have the opportunity to try their hand at animation and basic animation. And even complete the first projects!
It will be simple and interesting: the developers of a number of presented mobile software options have provided intuitive tools and fascinating characters.
1. Application “Drawing cartoons”
Age: 7+
The application is characterized by maximum simplicity: even a beginner child can handle it.
Note that the developer provides several tools for creating animation using key frames and points. You don't need to draw them. The user also has access to an internal library with equipment, toy weapons, characters and similar objects. They can be added and colored.
2. FlipaClip: Create 2D Animation
Age: 4+
This is an animation creation application designed for preschool children. The developer has provided all the necessary tools to simplify the work and get a confident start. This:
Step-by-step instructions;
Educational materials;
Drawing tools, etc.
The process of creating animations in FlipaClip is simplified as much as possible thanks to its intuitive interface. This is a good option for starting in the direction of digital creativity.
3. Stick Nodes
Age: 4+
This is a remarkable application with various tools for creating animation compositions in simplified techniques. The possibility of drawing is provided, there is a good internal library with various objects and objects.
Using Stick Nodes tools, even a small child can understand the basics of modern animation and develop beginner-level skills.
4. Toontastic 3D
Age: 3+
In Toontastic you can draw, animate and even voice your own cartoons. A distinctive feature is the function of adding a photo and setting it to a specific character. This is very exciting: the child will be able to create an impromptu copy of himself and insert it into the cartoon.
5. Animation Creator HD
Age: 12+
Let us immediately note that the application can only be installed on an iPad. It is also more suitable for experienced users: Animation Creator HD for teaching children animation and animation is aimed at advanced children.
The advantage is represented by the availability of tools for:
Export and import animation;
Sound controls;
Video creation;
Drawing, etc.
6. Animation Desk – Cartoon & GIF
Age: 4+
Kdan Mobile Software Ltd studio team. has developed an excellent application specifically for children: internal tools allow you to draw and create simple animation, including using frame-by-frame technology.
A distinctive feature is the ability to develop sketches from scratch and even storyboards – sequences of 2D images for creating cartoons.
7. RoughAnimator
Age: 4+
This is a relatively complex, but quite useful mobile program for creating animation for children. The developer positions the application as follows: a fairly powerful tool for professionals, but very simple for beginners.
Still, we recommend the software to advanced users, but if the previous options have already been tried and mastered, then RoughAnimator is suitable.
8.FlipaClip
Age: 3+
A similar application from the same developer has already been presented, but there are differences. This is a Russian-language version, a simplified interface and advanced features.
FlipaClip mobile software is suitable for beginners. Provided:
Tools for creating animated videos and GIFs;
Internal image editor;
Visual effects library, etc.
9. Folioscope
Age: 12+
This is another application for advanced users, say, schoolchildren with experience. But specialized education and special knowledge are not needed: an intuitive interface and easy-to-understand tools will help you get started without effort.
Tools are provided for:
Drawings;
Animations;
Import and export;
Publishing projects and discussing them with other users.
3 programs for creating animation for children and teenagers
In this section we will talk about the programs used by Pixel teachers in programming courses using the example of creating animation and games.
1. Scratch Junior and Scratch
Age: 6–8+
They combined the options into one item for a reason: these are programs of the same type, slightly differing in the level of complexity. There is no fundamental difference.
We use the Scratch Junior and Scratch environments in courses for children aged 6 and 8 years, respectively. They are designed to teach block programming using the example of creating animation, cartoons and games.
Advantages:
Using colorful block designs to write code;
Availability of drawing tools;
Opportunity to develop creative skills and interest in programming.
Teaching children to work in the presented versions of Scratch means immersing them in IT in a playful way.
2. Roblox
Age: 8–9+
Roblox is an online gaming platform and an environment designed for developing simple games. They can be played and shared with other users.
When using virtual universe tools, we recommend that you simultaneously master Roblox Studio, an engine designed to work with game worlds. Thanks to these programs, children and teenagers learn to create and animate characters, objects and objects, phenomena and processes occurring in the digital space.
To be honest, the connection with animation and animation is indirect. However, Roblox can be considered a logical continuation of immersion in the basic topic and a tool for upgrading skills previously acquired, say, in the same mobile applications.
3. Unity
Age: 10+
The Unity environment is presented as a cross-platform engine for creating games with 2D and 3D graphics, AR and VR. Getting to know the platform on your own or taking courses is a big plus: you will be able to create simple and complex animations, game characters and even entire virtual worlds.
Unity benefits:
Ability to work with mobile platforms, not just PCs;
Low barrier to entry. The fact is that the Unity environment is more of a constructor than a professional engine. And this is so: in the Unity and C# course, our students assemble full-fledged projects from conditional objects consisting of components, and then program their behavior and actions;
Possibility of prototyping. The point is that any project can be launched in the editor and the necessary edits and additions can be made.
5 professional programs for experienced teenagers
Next, we want to consider 5 programs that are often used as the basis for advanced animation courses for children, as well as areas of 3D modeling and more. Getting acquainted with the presented software will help you learn more about the professions of an animator and animator, as well as get closer to them by completing your first independent projects.
1. Blender
Age: 13+
The Blender program is a fairly popular software designed for 3D modeling and design in three-dimensional format. Blender tools are widely used by designers, game creators, filmmakers and other professionals.
The advantage of this option is the complexity of the available tools. In the environment you can:
Model and work in digital sculpting mode;
Animate various objects;
Run simulations;
Engage in post-processing and video editing.
2.Pencil2D Animation
Age: n/a
This is a good option and at the same time a tool for creating 2D animation, featuring:
Minimalistic design. This simplifies the first steps and makes using the functions simple;
Ability to work with raster and vector images;
Cross-platform. You can use the software on devices with Windows, macOS operating systems, as well as Linux and FreeBSD;
Free. There is no need to pay to use Pencil2D Animation.
3. Pivot Animator
Age: n/a
The software is intended for experienced users, but it is simplified: you will work mainly with points. With their help, a teenager will be able to learn how to animate characters, various effects, and more.
If you choose this solution, you will have to immerse yourself in the direction of professional animation through:
Creation of figures and objects;
Managing them through key points;
Drawings and more.
4. Moho Debut
Age: n/a
The program is designed to create 2D vector graphics, as well as 2D animation. The functionality is somewhat limited, so Moho Debut will be easy for a beginner to use.
The developer provides:
Tools for creating vector graphics in the internal editor;
“Bones.” We are talking about conditional key points to which the basic movements of, say, an object are tied;
Internal library including characters, items, audio and visual effects, tracks, etc.
5. Cinema 4D
Age: n/a
This is a program for complex work with tools for animation, modeling and rendering. Thanks to it, you can create realistic images of various objects and objects. People, surroundings, interior, abstraction – do not matter.
The advantages in the context of professional use are as follows:
Availability of a basic version and additional modules;
Wide libraries of templates;
Modeling objects using polygons and splines;
Digital “sculpting” of forms, etc.
And we want to summarize and note that you can engage in digital creativity in the early years: there are many applications for creating animation for children 6–7 years old, simple and professional programs for teenagers.
We hope that one of the presented options is suitable and will be used by you and your child. And if you want to enlist the support of a mentor and master any area of digital creativity, stop by our school Pixel. We will teach you web and graphic design, working with Blender tools and more.
The material was prepared by Pixel teachers. We teach children digital creativity, programming, game creation, website development and other IT areas.
