Visual arts activity
Storyboard a Joke
Draw a 3-box comic of a silly joke or surprise. Boxes go in order: setup, middle, surprise!
Materials and setup
- paper
- markers
- ruler (optional)
How this changes by age
Pre-K (ages 3–4)
Draw a 3-box comic of a silly joke or surprise. Boxes go in order: setup, middle, surprise!
Steps
- Fold a paper into 3 big boxes.
- In box 1 draw the beginning (who is there).
- In box 2 draw the middle (what happens).
- In box 3 draw the silly surprise.
- Show it to a grown-up and make them laugh.
Learning objectives
- Understand beginning, middle, end in visual form
- Draw a sequence
- Share visual stories with others
Kindergarten (ages 5–6)
Build a 4-panel storyboard of a joke or surprise. Label each panel with shot type (wide or close).
Steps
- Fold paper into 4 boxes.
- Sketch each beat of a short funny scene.
- Under each box, write 'W' for wide or 'C' for close.
- At least one box must be a close-up for the punchline.
- Tell the story using your storyboard.
Learning objectives
- Break a moment into 4 story beats
- Assign shot types intentionally
- Use close-ups for emphasis
Early elementary (ages 6–8)
Build a 6-panel storyboard with camera angles for a short joke or prank. Add arrows showing motion.
Steps
- Think of a short scene with a twist (30 seconds of screen time).
- Draw a 6-panel storyboard.
- Label shot type AND camera angle (eye, low, high) for each.
- Add arrows for anyone or anything that moves.
- Read the storyboard aloud, describing each shot.
Learning objectives
- Combine shot type and angle in a single plan
- Use arrows to pre-visualize motion
- Verbally present a visual plan
Upper elementary (ages 8–10)
Detailed storyboard challenge: 8 panels, shot descriptions, dialogue or sound notes, action arrows, and a running-time estimate.
Steps
- Write a one-paragraph scene (under 45 seconds).
- Storyboard it in 8 panels on a template.
- For each panel: shot type, angle, action arrows, dialogue or sound note, estimated seconds.
- Add up seconds — does it match your 45-second budget?
- Present the board to someone and ask them to guess the beat you feel weakest about.
Learning objectives
- Produce a detailed storyboard with technical annotations
- Pace a scene against a time budget
- Seek targeted feedback
Safety and evidence note
Read the full activity before beginning. An adult should supervise tools, heat, food, outdoor work, movement, and experiments as appropriate. Completion records that the activity was done; the child’s explanation, work sample, photo, or demonstration is stronger evidence of learning than a completion check alone.
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