When imagination meets technology, something magical happens, and that’s exactly what Year 2 pupils at Coed Eva Primary School in South Wales experienced during a three-day stop-motion animation workshop delivered by Bigfoot Arts Education South Wales.
Led by Bigfoot educator Ellie-Mae Williams, this hands-on project blended creative storytelling, digital learning, and teamwork, all while linking beautifully with the Curriculum for Wales through Expressive Arts and Science & Technology (STEM).
SEE THE PROJECT IN ACTION HERE
A Creative Curriculum in Action
Expressive Arts
Pupils explored their imaginations by designing clay characters, crafting simple stories, and bringing them to life through stop-motion animation. Every step, from sketching ideas to filming, encouraged them to create, explore, and respond, echoing the What Matters statements in the Curriculum for Wales.
Working in small groups helped children build essential skills in collaboration, reflection, and problem-solving as they refined their ideas and transformed them into moving stories on screen.
Science & Technology (STEM)
Armed with iPads and the Stop Motion Studio app, the children practised digital literacy while discovering how technology can be used creatively. They also developed fine motor skills through clay modelling and simple engineering thinking as they built their sets and characters.
Through trial and error, adjusting lighting, testing camera angles, and perfecting their sequences, they learned that perseverance and curiosity are just as important as creativity.
The Three-Day Journey
Day 1: Discovering Animation Magic
The adventure began with wide eyes and plenty of laughter as children explored the question: “How do toys and clay come alive?”
Ellie-Mae introduced the basic principles of stop-motion animation, tiny movements, still frames, and the magic of patience. Pupils designed their own clay characters and experimented with simple test films, marvelling as their creations appeared to move on screen.
The day ended with the joyful Magic Box reflection, a moment for each child to “pull” something they had learned out of an imaginary box, celebrating the day’s discoveries with words or mime.
“You could feel the energy in the room shift,” Ellie-Mae recalls. “The moment they saw their first few seconds of animation come to life, they were hooked!”
Day 2: Fairytales and Film Sets
On the second day, the classroom transformed into a mini animation studio. Working in small teams, the children chose a traditional fairytale to retell in their own unique way.
They story-boarded scenes, sculpted characters, and painted colourful backgrounds for their sets — from enchanted forests to Grandma’s cottage. Each group assigned filmmaking roles like Director, Animator, and Photographer, learning to share responsibility and solve problems collaboratively.
By the end of the day, every group had built the world of their story, ready to bring it to life the next morning.
“At the start, many wanted to do everything themselves,” says Ellie-Mae. “By day three, they were saying things like, ‘You hold the camera, I’ll move the model.’ Watching that teamwork develop was wonderful.”
Day 3: Lights, Camera, Action!
The final day was all about filming, capturing each tiny movement, recording dialogue, and adding sound effects. There were moments of concentration, bursts of laughter, and even a few happy gasps when playback revealed their characters moving and speaking for the first time.
Some pupils initially felt shy about recording voices, but Ellie-Mae’s encouragement, and her own funny voice demos, quickly turned nerves into giggles.
“Soon the whole class was laughing and experimenting,” she says. “They weren’t just animating; they were acting, directing, and storytelling.”
When the final films were shown on the whiteboard, the pride in the room was palpable. The children watched their creations, then immediately asked to see them again.
“They weren’t just pupils anymore,” Ellie-Mae reflects. “They were filmmakers.”
The day ended with one final Magic Box moment, each pupil choosing something they were proud of or had enjoyed most over the three days. It was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and confidence.
Teacher Reflections
“The children absolutely loved every minute of it,” shared Vicky, Class Teacher at Coed Eva Primary School.
“Ellie’s enthusiasm and encouragement really inspired them. Even after the sessions ended, they were talking non-stop about their ideas and asking when they could make more!
We’ve had so many lovely messages from parents saying how excited their children were to tell them all about what they learned. We all learned so much about storytelling, teamwork, and animation. Ellie really made the experience special for everyone.”
Educator’s Perspective: Ellie-Mae Williams
For Ellie-Mae, this project was a highlight:
“Spending three full days with the same group meant we could really connect. We were able to slow the process down and explore each stage in depth — from the first spark of an idea to model-making and filming. Watching children find joy in making something from scratch is endlessly rewarding.”
She continues:
“One of my goals was to make sure every child could see themselves in this creative world. We talked about real animation careers, model-makers, sound designers, storytellers, and you could see the lightbulb moments. For some, it was the first time they realised creativity could be their future.”
Ellie-Mae left feeling inspired by the group’s imagination and determination:
“If this is what seven-year-olds can do, the future of storytelling is in very good hands.”
Creativity That Lasts
In just three days, these young learners discovered what happens when you combine storytelling, teamwork, and technology. They didn’t just make animations, they built confidence, resilience, and belief in their ideas.
The stop-motion animation project is a shining example of Bigfoot Arts Education’s mission: to help children see that creativity isn’t a separate subject, it’s a way of learning, thinking, and connecting with the world.
✨ Interested in bringing animation and storytelling to your school?
Bigfoot Arts Education South Wales offers bespoke creative projects for Primary schools, aligned with the Curriculum for Wales and designed to inspire confidence, collaboration, and creativity.
📧 Contact: wales@bigfootartseducation.co.uk