# Making Your Own AI Videos With Your Child

_Turn screen time into creative time_

By Dr. Carla Engelbrecht · Making things together · For Preschool

Turn screen time into creative time with AI video tools. Expert guidance from Dr. Carla Engelbrecht on making personalized videos with your preschooler.

## Overview

Your child doesn't just want to watch videos, they want to make them. Luckily, new AI tools make it possible for even preschoolers (with your help) to become creators. You don't need fancy equipment or editing skills. You just need curiosity, a simple prompt, and a little time to explore together.

## Why Make AI Videos With Kids?

> **It shifts screens from passive to creative**
>
> Instead of "What's next?" it's "What should we make?"

> **It builds digital literacy**
>
> Kids learn that computers don't think for themselves; they follow instructions.

> **It personalizes learning**
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> A video about your child's name or their favorite animal is more memorable than any generic cartoon.

> **Research shows that personalization boosts attention, motivation, and recall. When kids see themselves in media, it sticks.**

## Tools You Can Try

Here are a few beginner-friendly AI platforms you can explore together. Many offer free trials before requiring a subscription:

> **Hippo Polka**
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> Personalized preschool literacy videos featuring your child's name, favorite things, and interests.

> **Veo (by Google DeepMind)**
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> AI video generation, type a prompt ("a happy puppy dancing under a rainbow") and watch it come to life.

> **Suno**
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> AI music creation, make a silly song about your child's favorite toy. ("A ball named Bob who bounces all day!")

> **ChatGPT**
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> AI storytelling, type prompts together like, "Tell us a story about a dragon who loves spaghetti." Then act it out or illustrate it.

> **Runway or Pika**
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> More advanced video tools that can turn prompts into short clips or help animate simple characters.

> **👉 Parent tip:** Always explore these tools together. Most require you to set up an account, and while many offer free trials, ongoing use usually means a subscription.

## Ideas to Try at Home

> **1. Name Song Video**
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> **Tool:** Hippo Polka or Suno
>
> **Prompt:** "Make a happy song that sings Emma's name three times."
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> **Extension:** Sing along, then look for the letters of Emma's name around the house.

> **2. Silly Story Animation**
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> **Tool:** Veo or Runway
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> **Prompt:** "A cat wearing a superhero cape who loves spaghetti."
>
> **Extension:** Ask your child to retell the story in their own words.

> **3. Dance-Along Music Video**
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> **Tool:** Suno + Veo combo
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> **Prompt in Suno:** "A silly dance song about dinosaurs."
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> **Use Veo:** "Dinosaurs stomping to music."
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> **Extension:** Have a living room dance party.

> **4. Illustrated Story**
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> **Tool:** ChatGPT (for story) + an AI art tool like DALL·E
>
> **Prompt:** "Write a story about a puppy who goes to space." Then generate one picture per page.
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> **Extension:** Print the pages and make your own "book."

## How to Involve Your Child

Even preschoolers can contribute. Ask them:

> - 🤔 "Which animal should we make a video about?"
> - 😄 "What silly thing should the puppy do?"
> - 🎵 "Should we make the song fast or slow?"

**Giving your child choices keeps them invested and teaches them that media isn't just consumed, it's created.**

## A Tale of Two Screen Times

> **Scenario 1: Passive Watching**
>
> A child scrolls through random YouTube cartoons for 20 minutes. They laugh but don't engage. Afterward, they're cranky when asked to stop.

> **Scenario 2: Creative AI Making**
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> Parent and child spend 20 minutes on Veo and Suno. They type in a silly prompt together, watch the AI create, and then dance to the video. Later, the child retells the story at dinner.

**Same time on screen. Completely different outcome.**

## Things to Keep in Mind

- **Stay hands-on.**: AI tools aren't designed for kids to use alone. You'll need to guide the prompts and supervise.
- **Expect mistakes.**: AI sometimes makes weird outputs (a dog with too many legs, a song that sounds funny). Use it as a chance to laugh and explain: "See? The computer doesn't always get it right."
- **Budget wisely.**: Most AI platforms have free trials, but ongoing use often requires a subscription. Decide which ones are worth keeping.
- **Balance with offline play.**: Use the video as a spark, then act it out, draw it, or sing it away from the screen.

## What Comes Next

Making your own AI videos is about shifting your child's mindset: from consumer to creator. When kids learn that technology listens to their ideas, it builds confidence, curiosity, and literacy.

The next step? Talking openly about AI, what it is, what it can do, and why it sometimes makes mistakes.

> **👉 Next:** [How to Talk About AI With Young Kids](/resources/talking-about-ai), simple language and playful activities to help your child understand AI without fear or confusion.

## Related guides

- /resources/parent-involvement