How to Create Animated Videos using Canva For FREE: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
In the ever-evolving digital world, engaging content is key to standing out. If you’re looking for a way to create captivating videos that grab attention, animated videos are an excellent choice. But what if you don’t have a budget to spend on expensive animation tools or software? That’s where Canva comes in!
Canva offers a simple and intuitive platform that lets anyone, from beginners to seasoned marketers, create animated videos — and the best part? It’s 100% free! Whether you’re creating content for social media, marketing, or personal projects, Canva can help you bring your ideas to life in a matter of minutes.
In this detailed guide, we will walk you through how to create animated videos using Canva for FREE in a step-by-step tutorial. Let’s dive in!
Why Canva is the Best Free Tool for Animated Videos
Before we jump into the tutorial, you might be wondering: why should you use Canva for animated videos, and what makes it the best choice for free video creation? Let’s take a look at the benefits of using Canva:
- Completely Free: Canva’s free plan offers a robust set of tools for video creation, including access to a variety of free templates, animations, and music.
- User-Friendly Interface: Canva’s drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy for anyone to create professional-quality videos without any design skills.
- Pre-Made Templates: Canva has a vast library of templates for every niche imaginable. Whether you’re making a promotional video, explainer video, or social media post, there’s a template that fits your needs.
- Customizable Animations: Canva allows you to animate text, images, and other elements. You can easily tweak the duration, effects, and transitions to create a dynamic and engaging video.
- Mobile-Friendly: With the Canva mobile app, you can create and edit videos on the go.
Now that you know why Canva is a powerful tool for creating animated videos, let’s explore how to make one for free!
How to Create Animated Videos using Canva For FREE: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Sign Up for a Free Canva Account
To start, head over to Canva.com and create a free account. You can sign up using your email, Google account, or Facebook account. If you already have an account, simply log in.
Step 2: Choose the Right Template or Start from Scratch
Once you’re logged in, click on the “Create a design” button, then select “Video”. Canva offers a variety of video templates for different needs such as business ads, social media content, presentations, and more. Browse through the available templates or start from scratch by choosing a blank video template.
Step 3: Add and Customize Your Content
After selecting a template or starting fresh, it’s time to add content to your video:
- Text: Add titles, subtitles, or captions to your video. Canva offers a wide range of fonts, sizes, and colors. You can even animate your text for added visual appeal.
- Images and Videos: You can upload your own images or use Canva’s free library of stock photos, illustrations, and videos. Drag and drop elements into your design, resize, and position them as needed.
- Icons and Graphics: Canva has a variety of icons and shapes that can be used to enhance your design. Whether it’s a simple arrow or a custom illustration, you can add it seamlessly to your video.
- Background: You can change the background color or upload an image to serve as the backdrop for your video. Canva also offers a selection of animated backgrounds that can make your video stand out.
Step 4: Animate Your Elements
This is where things get fun! Canva lets you animate text, images, and graphics to make your video come to life. Here’s how to animate:
- Text Animation: Select the text box you want to animate, click on the Animate button in the top toolbar, and choose the animation style you prefer. Canva offers a range of animations, such as Fade, Pan, Rise, and more.
- Element Animation: You can also animate images and graphics. Select an element, click Animate, and apply the animation style of your choice.
- Timing: Adjust the timing of each element’s animation to control when it appears and how long it stays on the screen. You can change the duration of the animations by dragging the timeline slider.
Step 5: Add Transitions and Music
Transitions help make your video flow smoothly. You can add transitions between scenes or elements to keep the audience engaged.
- Transitions: To add transitions between scenes, simply click on the small box between two video slides and select the transition style.
- Music: Canva provides a library of free music tracks you can use in your animated video. You can search for a track that suits your video’s theme and add it to the timeline. You can also adjust the volume and trim the music as needed.
Step 6: Preview and Fine-Tune Your Video
Once you’ve animated your elements and added your music, it’s time to preview your video. Click on the Play button to watch your animation. If something doesn’t look right, you can go back and make adjustments to the timing, animations, or elements.
Step 7: Download Your Video
Once you’re happy with your animated video, it’s time to download it. Click on the Download button in the top right corner. Choose MP4 as the file type and select the quality you want.
Your video is now ready to be shared on social media, your website, or anywhere you like!
FAQ: How to Create Animated Videos Using Canva For FREE
Q1: Can I create animated videos in Canva for free?
Yes! Canva offers a free plan that allows you to create animated videos with a variety of tools, including templates, text animations, and background music. The free version is more than capable of creating high-quality animations for business, social media, and personal projects.
Q2: How do I animate text in Canva?
To animate text in Canva, select the text box, click the Animate button in the top toolbar, and choose your preferred animation style. You can select from a variety of effects like Fade, Rise, Pan, and more.
Q3: Can I upload my own audio for the animation?
Yes! Canva allows you to upload your own audio files. Simply go to the Music tab on the left, and click Upload to add your audio file to your project.
Q4: Are there any limitations in Canva’s free plan for video creation?
While Canva’s free plan is quite robust, there are a few limitations. For example, you won’t have access to premium templates, images, or videos, which are available to Canva Pro users. However, the free version is sufficient for most basic video projects.
Q5: How can I share my animated video from Canva?
Once your animated video is ready, you can share it directly from Canva by clicking the Share button. Canva lets you share your video on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube or download it to your device.
Q6: Can I use Canva animations for commercial purposes?
Yes! You can use Canva animations for commercial purposes as long as you comply with Canva’s licensing agreement. If you use premium content, you’ll need to have the proper rights or license for commercial use.
Conclusion
Creating animated videos has never been easier, especially when you use Canva’s free platform. With a simple drag-and-drop interface and plenty of customization options, Canva lets you design stunning animations in no time. Whether you’re creating content for your business or for social media, Canva is a powerful and cost-effective tool that you can rely on.
Now that you know how to create animated videos for free, it’s time to start experimenting and unleash your creativity! Try Canva today and see just how easy it is to create animated videos that captivate and engage your audience.
Call to Action: Have you created any animated videos using Canva? Share your experience in the comments below, or sign up for our newsletter for more design tips and tutorials!
Bonus: What’s New in Canva for 2025
In 2025, Canva is expected to introduce new features for animation and video creation. Keep an eye out for updates like enhanced video editing tools, new templates, and even more powerful animations that will help you create dynamic content faster and easier.