How to Make an Animated Flip Book

This interactive flip book can help you learn the ins and outs of animation. Making this project could also help you complete requirement 3 of the Animation merit badge.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• A stack of index cards
• Packing tape
• One paintbrush
• Mod Podge or craft paste
• Binder clip
• Paint, markers, scissors and other items to help create your animation

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Step 1: Draw the first sequence of your animation on the top card of the stack of index cards. Continue drawing through the stack, changing your design only slightly with each card. By the bottom card, your animation should look different than it did on the top card.

Step 2: Neatly stack the finished cards and carefully wrap the packing tape around the left side of the stack. This will act as the book’s binding.

Step 3: With the tape secured to the top and bottom cards, remove the middle portion of the flip book and lay the remaining two cards flat. You should have a gap in the tape. Use the paintbrush to evenly spread some of the Mod Podge or paste onto the tape.

Step 4: Before it dries, carefully reinsert the rest of the cards into the book and fold the top and bottom cards around them. Place the binder clip around the left edge of the flip book and let it sit for about an hour, until the binding is dry.