How do I change the data protection settings on my smartphone? What do I need to pay attention to so that my presentation is good? And how do I cook delicious spaghetti bolognese? In many families, learning new things with the help of videos has long been part of everyday life. Platforms such as YouTube or TikTok are full of explanatory videos that convey knowledge in a clear, creative and often entertaining way. You can find out how such videos help with learning in our article “When videos on the Internet replace the dictionary“.
But why just consume? In just a few steps, you can create an explanatory video together with your child using a smartphone and the like. It’s fun, improves media skills and the whole family can take part.
Ways to create your own explainer video
First you need to decide on the topic. Perhaps there is something interesting from your child’s school lessons that can be presented in a video? Everyday topics such as a favorite recipe, caring for a pet or a tricky repair job are also ideal. An explainer video can look different. We present four different styles that are easy to implement at home.
Smartphone video in social media style
Explanatory videos in the style of Instagram Reels or TikToks are very popular with children. They are quick to make and fun to watch. Smartphone clips are more suitable for small information snippets without much depth.
- This is how it works: Film with your smartphone in portrait format. It’s best to choose short scenes in which your child plays, talks or explains things. Get creative together and add text overlays, emojis, music, stickers or filters to the video.
- Tip: Use video editing apps such as iMovie(iOS) or InShot(Android) to cut and design videos easily.
Animated cartoon in the Legetrick style
Animated films are a simple, imaginative and creative way of explaining something. Animated videos convey content slowly and vividly. Their calm and clear presentation makes even complex topics easy to understand.
- This is how it works: Cut out figures or symbols that you have drawn or printed out yourself from paper and prepare matching text blocks. Place the objects on a light background. Make sure the light is even, preferably from above. Use a tripod or attach the smartphone or tablet to a tabletop or a box. Now photograph the laying trick story step by step. A voice-over text can be recorded later.
- Tip: Apps such as Stop Motion Studio(Android/iOS) are very suitable. This video guide from the JFF – Institute for Media Education explains how to use the app. You can find out how to set up an animation studio at home in this video tutorial from the JFF.
Create an explainer video with AI tools
Explanatory videos with tools that use artificial intelligence are ideal if you want to get things done quickly. They are very easy to create and particularly suitable for families who enjoy writing texts.
- This is how it works: Write an explanatory text on a topic and enter it into an AI tool such as simpleshow(https://simpleshow.com). An animated video is automatically created from this – including a reading voice.
- Tip: Make sure the language is suitable for children and the story is clearly structured. The explanatory video will look more personal if you download it and set it to music in a video editing program with your own spoken text.
Screen recording – explanatory video directly from the monitor
An explainer video as a screen recording is particularly suitable for showing digital processes or presentations. Such an explanatory video is particularly suitable for older children and school content.
- This is how it works: Present a presentation together with your child or show how a program works. Record the screen live and use your voice to explain what can be seen.
- Tools: We recommend, for example, the whiteboard tool Explain Everything(https://explaineverything.com/). You can find video and PDF instructions for the tool on the medienbildung-muenchen.de website.
Practical tips for all types of explainer videos:
- Preparation pays off: Think together with your child about what should be said, shown and explained. A simple storyboard or a short text will help with the overview.
- Technology: A camera on a smartphone or tablet is perfectly adequate. Practical: You can often edit the video directly on the same device.
- Post-production: Editing, adding text or adding music – all this is possible with free apps such as iMovie(iOS) or PowerDirector(Android).
- Publish: If you and your child want to share the video with others, make sure you respect personal rights and copyright. A suitable platform for children is offered by the German Children’s Fund (Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk ). Here you and your child can get further tips and tricks on video and animated film production, produce simple animated films online and upload your own videos.
