Best Animation Apps for Kids
Best Animation Apps for Kids
Product recommendations are based on editorial evaluation. Verify age-appropriateness for your child. Affiliate links may be present.
Animation apps teach children to bring drawings and characters to life through movement. The process of creating animation develops patience, planning, artistic skill, and an understanding of how motion works — frame by frame. Modern apps range from simple flipbook-style tools for young children to sophisticated 2D animation studios for teenagers. We tested the leading options to find apps that make animation accessible and rewarding for young creators.
How We Evaluated
Each app was tested by children creating original animations over multiple sessions. We scored on five criteria:
- Ease of learning — Can children produce their first animation quickly enough to maintain motivation?
- Creative depth — Does the app support complex projects as skills grow?
- Drawing tools — Are the brushes, colors, and layers adequate for the target age?
- Export quality — Can finished animations be saved as videos and shared?
- Value — Does the price match the feature set and creative potential?
Top Picks
| App | Age Range | Price | Platform | Our Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlipaClip | 8+ | Free / $4.99-$9.99 (Pro) | iOS, Android | 4.8 / 5 | Best overall |
| Toontastic 3D | 5-12 | Free | iOS, Android | 4.7 / 5 | Best for beginners |
| Stop Motion Studio | 6+ | Free / $4.99 (Pro) | iOS, Android | 4.7 / 5 | Best stop motion |
| Animation Desk | 8+ | Free / $9.99 (Pro) | iOS, Android, Windows | 4.6 / 5 | Best drawing tools |
| Scratch | 8-16 | Free | Web, iOS, Android | 4.7 / 5 | Best coding + animation |
| Procreate (with animation) | 12+ | $12.99 (one-time) | iOS | 4.8 / 5 | Best for teens |
| Animate It! | 8+ | $2.99 | iOS, Android | 4.5 / 5 | Best claymation tool |
Detailed Reviews
FlipaClip — Best Overall
FlipaClip is a frame-by-frame animation app that emulates traditional flipbook animation. Children draw each frame, with onion skinning (translucent overlay of the previous frame) to guide consistent movement. The app includes drawing tools, layers, audio recording, and text. Finished animations export as MP4 or GIF files.
Why parents love it: FlipaClip teaches real animation principles. Children learn about frame rates, onion skinning, keyframes, and timing through practice rather than lectures. The free version is fully functional for learning, and the community features let young animators share work and find inspiration.
Limitation: Frame-by-frame animation is time-intensive. Children need patience and commitment to produce even a short animation. This is a feature for developing persistence but a barrier for those who want instant results.
Toontastic 3D — Best for Beginners
Toontastic lets children create 3D animated stories by moving characters on screen while recording narration. It is the fastest path from idea to finished animation because children do not draw individual frames — they perform the animation in real time by dragging characters.
Why parents love it: A complete animated short can be created in under five minutes, which matches young children’s attention spans perfectly. The story structure framework (beginning, middle, end) teaches narrative alongside animation.
Stop Motion Studio — Best for Stop Motion
Stop Motion Studio turns a tablet into a stop-motion animation studio. Children photograph physical objects (LEGO figures, clay sculptures, action figures) frame by frame, and the app assembles the photos into an animated video. Features include onion skinning, audio recording, green screen support, and title cards.
Why parents love it: Stop motion connects digital and physical creativity. Children build, sculpt, and arrange physical objects while learning digital filmmaking principles. The tangible aspect of moving real objects appeals to kinesthetic learners.
Animation Desk — Best Drawing Tools
Animation Desk provides professional-grade drawing tools including pressure-sensitive brushes (with Apple Pencil support), layers, and a timeline. The interface is designed for serious animation work while remaining accessible to beginners. Export options include video, GIF, and individual frame images.
Why parents love it: Children who are serious about art and animation get tools that support genuine creative growth. The brush quality and layer support rival desktop animation software.
Scratch — Best Coding Plus Animation
Scratch allows children to animate characters (sprites) through block-based programming. Instead of drawing each frame, children code movement, costume changes, and interactions. This approach teaches both animation principles and programming logic simultaneously.
Why parents love it: Scratch combines two valuable skills in one activity. Children who animate in Scratch are learning computational thinking alongside visual storytelling.
Procreate — Best for Teens
Procreate is a professional illustration app that includes an animation assist feature. Teenagers can use Procreate’s industry-leading brushes and tools to create frame-by-frame animations with professional quality. The one-time purchase of $12.99 provides lifetime access.
Why parents love it: Procreate is used by professional illustrators and animators worldwide. Teens who learn animation in Procreate develop skills that transfer directly to art school and career work.
What to Look For
Start with the right difficulty level. Children under eight should begin with Toontastic or Stop Motion Studio, which produce results quickly. Children eight and older can handle FlipaClip’s frame-by-frame approach. Teenagers ready for professional tools benefit from Procreate.
Manage expectations about timeline. Even a short animation takes hours of work. Help children set realistic goals: start with a five-second animation, not a five-minute movie.
Encourage planning before drawing. Storyboards (simple sketches of key moments) help children plan their animation before committing to drawing frames. This develops project planning skills alongside artistic ones.
Key Takeaways
- FlipaClip is the best app for learning real frame-by-frame animation principles.
- Toontastic 3D provides the quickest path to a finished animation for beginners.
- Stop Motion Studio uniquely connects physical and digital creativity.
- Scratch combines animation with coding education.
- Procreate offers professional-quality tools for serious teenage animators.
Next Steps
- Start with Toontastic for children under eight, or FlipaClip for children eight and older.
- Try stop motion with LEGO figures or clay to add a physical dimension to animation.
- Explore video editing. See Best Video Editing Apps for Kids for tools to polish and combine animations.
- Build coding skills through animation. Visit Scratch Complete Guide to learn animation through programming.
- Develop storytelling. Check Best Storytelling Apps for Kids for narrative tools that complement animation work.