A Creative Day Out: Stop Motion Animation Workshop at the Sydney Opera House

My two eldest kids recently attended the Stop Motion Animation Workshop at the Sydney Opera House which was part of the London International Animation Festival.

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Both of my kids are neurodiverse, so new experiences can sometimes be overwhelming! This workshop struck the perfect balance between structure and creativity, making it an inclusive and enjoyable experience for them both.

The Setup

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First up, let’s talk about the location. The Centre for Creativity at the Opera House is such a welcoming space that immediately makes you feel calm when you walk through the doors. It was the perfect environment to set the tone for an engaging and hands-on experience. Parents were asked to drop their children off, making this a kids-only event which I thought was really good for them! I was sitting not too far on the other side of the doors, so they knew I was nearby. The staff were so lovely and reassuring throughout and made sure any little anxious kids were able to check in with their parents if needed. Besides running out for a snack, my two were kept busy inside and could have stayed all day. 

London International Animation Festival, Sydney Opera House. Photo credit: Jaimi Joy 

From the moment they walked in, the facilitators made sure the kids felt comfortable. A brief introductory video explained the basics of stop motion to give them a solid foundation before they dived into creating their own animations. The kids really appreciated this step, with Ishq mentioning, “When we came in, they explained everything so we weren’t just on our own.“

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A Hands-On Approach

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One of the first exercises involved animating a zipper, helping the children get familiar with the stop motion technique before moving on to their own projects. Both Ishq and Zarick found this particularly helpful. Ishq noted, “I really liked how they had a practice round before we did the actual thing. It was a really good way to get used to it.“

The workshop encouraged creativity by offering a variety of materials such as pom-poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners – and lots of other little bits and bobs. This inspired the kids to think outside the box when crafting their characters. Ishq loved this approach, saying, “I really liked how they didn’t have clay because it encouraged you to be a bit more creative with coming up with your characters.“

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The Experience

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Both children enjoyed the autonomy they had during the session. While facilitators were available to assist, the kids were free to work at their own pace and make their own creative choices. This aspect of independence was particularly beneficial for Ishq, who appreciated that “you could do it by yourself and not have to work in a group, but there were other people around if you needed inspiration.“

For Zarick, a more introverted kid, the number of participants was initially a bit daunting, but the structured environment helped ease those nerves. He shared, “I didn’t like how there were so many people at first but they made me feel comfortable and there was a lot of space to work at your own station“ Being able to sit at the same table as his sister was a bonus and made him feel more comfortable.

Learning Through Play

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The organisers provided all materials, except for the iPad which we brought along with the Stop Motion Studio app pre-installed. The kids were able to dive straight in without wasting time setting it all up. The kids were fascinated by the process of taking multiple photos to create movement, learning that even big-budget animated films use the same technique. 

Ishq was particularly excited to discover the app’s ghosting feature, which helps track an object’s previous position, making animations smoother. “I learned that when you move an object, you can still see the silhouette of where it was before, which really helps,“ she explained.

A Lasting Impression

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At the end of the session, parents were invited in to watch their children’s progress with the animation they had been creating – a moment of pride and accomplishment.

The experience left a lasting impression on both of them, with Ishq declaring, “I could have stayed the whole day!“

As a parent, it was wonderful to see my kids engage in a creative activity that catered to their individual needs – all while allowing them to explore, learn, and express themselves.

The Opera House provides such wonderful, enriching, and inclusive experiences for young minds, and this workshop was no exception. It was clear that they have a well-established team dedicated to fostering creativity in children, making them feel welcomed and valued. We happened to visit the Opera House the following week for a show and ran into one of the same staff members who had greeted us at the workshop. It was so lovely of her to recognise the kids and warmly welcome them back.

It’s not lost on me how lucky we are to have access to this beautiful city. The Opera House has excellent creative programmes that not only support our kids but also provide them with access to one of the most iconic places in Australia, set against the breathtaking backdrop of our magical harbour. The staff are incredibly friendly and I love how they make you feel at home in what might otherwise feel like an ‘official’ place, given its status as a national landmark.

It means so much that my creative kids get to experience such a wonderful and enriching environment.

Would we go back? Absolutely. A massive thumbs-up from both kids!