The Great fire of London
Bringing History to Life: Animating The Great Fire of London with Cloud Stop Motion
Teaching history isn’t just about reading dates and facts — it’s about helping children imagine what it was like to live through those moments. One brilliant way to do this is through stop motion animation. Using Cloud Stop Motion, pupils can combine their creativity with technology to retell historical events in a fun, memorable way.
Setting the Scene
Before filming, the children painted detailed 2D backdrops of London in 1666. These colourful scenes became the stage for the fire, with pupils carefully adding details of houses, churches, and narrow streets.
Clay Flies and Fire Effects
To add atmosphere and movement, pupils modelled small clay flies buzzing around the fire. Layered tissue flames and lighting effects were animated frame by frame to show the blaze spreading across the city.
Capturing the Animation
Using Chromebooks and CSM, pupils worked in groups to shoot each frame. The fire grew, buildings collapsed, and smoke filled the sky as the children carefully moved their props and characters one step at a time.
Adding Sound and Effects
One of CSM’s strengths is how easily pupils can add sound, music, and effects. The class recorded crackling fire sounds, layered in dramatic music, and used fades to make the destruction feel more real.
The Finished Film
The final result was a striking stop motion animation of the Great Fire of London. With painted sets, clay flies, and fiery sound effects, the children recreated this famous event in a way that felt both creative and unforgettable.
Why Stop Motion Works in the Classroom
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Cross-curricular learning: History, art, design & technology, and ICT all in one project.
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Creativity and ownership: Pupils bring their own vision to life.
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Accessible for all ages: From simple animations to more advanced edits, CSM scales with ability.
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Cloud-based and classroom-friendly: Works on Chromebooks, laptops, and tablets with no special setup.
Try it in your school
With Cloud Stop Motion, projects like this are easy to run and hugely rewarding. Whether you’re teaching the Great Fire of London, Ancient Egypt, or World War II, pupils can recreate history through animation.
👉 Start animating today and see how your class can bring learning to life.