Lights, camera, learning! Media-making picks that put students in the spotlight.

high school students doing a video shoot

From slide shows and stop-motion animation to short films and remixes, video-making is a tried-and-true way to get kids engaged in building, demonstrating, and sharing knowledge. These video and animation apps and sites offer user-friendly tools and features that make it more fun than ever to get kids' productions created, edited, and polished. There are also a few tools that feature video-based formative assessment, so kids can record and share their video reflections.

See the rating of each app, game, and website on our Top Picks List: 

Erin Wilkey O.

Erin’s work has focused on supporting students, teachers, and families for over a decade. As content director for family and community engagement at Common Sense, she provides parents and caregivers with practical tips and strategies for managing media and tech at home, and supports teachers in strengthening partnerships with families. Prior to her work with Common Sense, Erin taught public high school students and adult English learners in Kansas City. Her time as a National Writing Project teacher consultant nurtured her passion for student digital creation and media literacy. She has bachelor's degrees in English and secondary education and a master's degree in instructional design and technology. Erin loves to knit, read, hike, and bake. But who has time for hobbies with two young kids? In her free time these days, you'll find her hanging out at playgrounds, the zoo, and the beach with her family.