Materials Needed

1. Computer, laptop, tablet and/or smartphone.

Pro-tip: If you use a free ChatGPT account you will get better results using a laptop instead of mobile device.

Before You Start

1. Open ChatGPT.com and create an account if you don’t already have one

*A free account works great, but you will get a limited amount of images a day.

Step 1. Get Inspired

Start by brainstorming ideas with your child. It helps to do this before they know what the activity is because they don’t feel pressure to come up with “the perfect idea”. Ask the following questions:

1. Lets pretend you’re a superhero. What would your superpower be?

2. What colors and style would your superhero suit be (at least 2, no more than 4)?

3. What kind of stuff would you have (let’s think of at least 3 accessories)?

Example: Eric pretends to be a superhero who rides a dinosaur and fights crime in the wild west. He wears a cowboy suit that is made of shiny metal. He carries a lasso, has a cowboy hat and a badge.

Note: If you’re not into superheroes you can brainstorm ideas about any type of action figure; army-man, doll, dinosaur etc.

Step 2. Select a reference Image

Now, either take a new picture of your kiddo or choose an existing one. Make sure to use a photo that shows the face clearly and preferable includes the body from at least the waist up.

Example:

Step 3. Craft Your Prompt

Okay, here’s the most important part. Use the ideas you talked about in Step 1, to complete the prompt template below. (Tip: use a word document or notepad to craft your prompt, then copy and past it into ChatGPT).

Use this image to create a picture of an action figure toy of a __(Child’s Age)__ year old, (type of superhero)__ superhero in a blister package from head to toe, the suit should be __________________ colors with accessories including _______________ , ________________ , and __________________. the package should read __(Your Childs Name)__ the __(type of hero/superpower)__.

Example Prompt: Use this image to create a picture of an action figure toy of an 8 year old cowboy who rides a dinosaur superhero in a blister package from head to toe, the suit should be a shiny metal wild west cowboy suit with accessories including cowboy hat, lasso, and badge. The package should read Eric the Super Lawman.

Step 4. Generate

1st - Add the photo of your child to the prompt by clicking the plus sign in the bottom left of the chat box and uploading the picture from step 2.

Next - Paste your prompt into the chat-box on the ChatGPT homepage, hit enter and see what you get!

These take a few minutes to generate, so now’s a good time to take a play-break.

Here’s what came back!

Step 5. Refine…

If there is anything you want to change about your action figure use the photo editor tool to make changes.

1. Click the image and it will open in the editor.

2. In the top-right corner you’ll find the “select” tool (it looks like a paint brush)

3. Use it to paint the section you want to change (like the hands or face)

4. Then prompt ChatGPT with the change you want applied to that area

Step 6. Download

Once your action figure looks just right. Time to download and share. I can’t wait to see what you created! Don’t forget to post it in the comments section.