How to Create Your Own Documentary for Kids

Inspire your child with real-life drama and help her create a homemade documentary. Working together, you and your child can choose a subject, scout locations, film the movie and edit it. Unlike made-up creations, documentaries provide your child with the understanding that the real world contains its own drama. Whether your child wants to emulate the majesty of Discovery Channel-type nature shows or film her friends in their own habitats, your young director can get creative and make her own documentary.

Things You'll Need

  • Video camera
  • Computer
  • Movie-editing program or software

Instructions

    • 1

      Brainstorm documentary ideas. Help your child choose something that is close to her heart or lies within her field of interests. For example, if she is an animal enthusiast, she may enjoy making a documentary about your pet dog or following around her grandma's cat. Other ideas to brainstorm include her friends, family, school or even a social issue such as the obesity epidemic in America and children overeating at fast food restaurants.

    • 2

      Make a list of places that you will need to film. For example, your child can go with a more free-form experience and just follow the family pet around the house with a camera or you can come up with different places such as the backyard, the basement, the family room and the local community pet park.

    • 3

      Get any necessary permissions. If you and your child are planning to film in a space such as the local school or a restaurant, ask the person in charge if it is acceptable or allowable to make your documentary there.

    • 4

      Help your child film her documentary. Use a video camera or opt for the video function on a smartphone. Encourage your child to use different angles or types of camera movements. For example, if she is filming her dog at the community animal park, zoom in to get a better view. Have your child decide where she wants to stand with the camera and if there is enough light.

    • 5

      Edit the film as needed. Put the scenes together in a way that makes sense and enhances the overall objectives. Add music or special effects, such as slow motion, to make it more visually interesting. Use a software program such as Microsoft Movie Maker or an app such as iMovie. Help your child pick a soundtrack to play in the background that matches the tone of her movie, if desired. For example, a serious look at the life of her pregnant teen friend may require a more brooding type of music, while a lighthearted documentary about her basketball team will pair better with an uptempo tune.

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