In this AI image generation lesson, kids and families spark creativity by crafting prompts to compare how top AI tools bring their imaginations to life.

What you need…

1. Computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

2. Internet Connection

Pro-tip: This activity works best if you are able to connect your device to a large screen (like a television or projector). Kids love to see their work on TV and it creates a group-activity vibe.

Step 1. Develop Prompt

Spend some time developing a great prompt together. This is where you let the creative juices flow and imaginations run wild. Spending time here develops an image in your child’s mind that they will compare the AI images to. Developing this clear expectation now makes for better discussion later.

Use this format for a well structured AI image prompt:​

Subject + Medium/Style + Details + Lighting + Color + Mood + Composition

Example Prompt:

🎨 Key Components Explained

• Subject: The main focus of your image (e.g., "an animated gorilla").

• Medium/Style: Specify the artistic medium or style (e.g., "digital art," "watercolor," "Pixar Studios").

• Details: Include specific elements to enrich the image (e.g., "neon signs," "flying cars").

• Lighting: Describe the lighting conditions (e.g., "golden hour," "moonlit").

• Color: Mention color schemes or palettes (e.g., "pastel," "vibrant reds and oranges").

• Mood: Convey the emotional tone (e.g., "mysterious," "joyful").

• Composition: Define the framing or perspective (e.g., "bird's-eye view," "close-up portrait").

💡 Tips and Tricks for Success

1. Be Specific and Descriptive: The more detailed your prompt, the better the AI can render your vision. For instance, instead of saying "a bird," specify "a majestic eagle soaring over snow-capped mountains.”

2. Use Commas to Separate Concepts: This helps the AI distinguish between different elements of your prompt.​

3. Incorporate Artistic Styles or Movements: Referencing specific styles like "Art Deco," "Anime," or artists like "Van Gogh" can guide the AI's aesthetic choices.​

Step 2. Ready, Set, Prompt!

Time to use our prompt to create images using the following AI tools. These are today’s leading image generators. For each site, save the image so you can compare them later (if multiple versions are created, pick your favorite).

Be sure to name each one after the AI Tool used to create it.

1. Midjourney: This tool cost ~$10 a month, but as the leading AI Image tool it may be worth a try if only for a single month.

2. Dall-e 3 (Integrated into ChatGPT): Be sure to click the “Create Image” option in the prompt box.

3. Stable diffusion: Requires paid account (currently $9 a month) but you can complete this activity with their 3-day free trial.

4. Adobe Firefly: This tool is integrated into Adobe products like Illustrator and Photoshop, but we’ll use the free web app.

Step 3. Compare Images

Now its time for a side by side comparison. Here’s where you decide which image wins. For a systematic approach, use the discussion questions in the next step. But 1st, lets make things easy on ourselves.

For easy comparison use the following prompt in ChatGPT:

Step 4. Discuss and Decide

Use these questions to guide your comparison:

1. Which image looks the closest to the picture you imagined in your head when we made the prompt?

   This question encourages children to compare each image to their expectations, focusing on how well the AI captured the subject and details. It helps identify which AI best interpreted the overall vision.

2. Which image has the style and colors that match what we asked for in the prompt?"

   This targets the medium/style and color components of the prompt. For younger learners, this can be as simple as, “Which one looks most like a cartoon?” or “Which has the brightest colors?” It highlights how different AIs handle artistic interpretation.

3. Which image makes you feel the mood we wanted, like silly or playful?

   This question helps kids connect to the images emotionally and teaches them that AI can influence feelings through visuals, sparking a conversation about creative intent.

4. Which image has the best lighting and composition, like the bright afternoon light or wide-angle view we asked for?"

   Children can compare how each AI handled specific requests, like “bright afternoon light” or a “wide-angle composition.” It encourages attention to technical details and how AIs interpret spatial and lighting instructions.

5. If you could pick one image to show everyone, which one would you choose and why?

   This open-ended question lets participants synthesize their observations and choose a “winner” based on overall quality. It prompts them to justify their choice, drawing on aspects like accuracy to the prompt, visual appeal, or creativity.

   Bonus Question: Is this the same image they picked for question #1?

Key Vocabulary Words and Definitions

1. Prompt

   • Definition: A prompt is the description you give to the AI to tell it what to do. In this case what kind of picture to make.

   • Why It’s Important: Prompts are important because they tell AI tools exactly what you want, whether it’s a picture, a story, or an answer. A clear and detailed prompt helps the AI understand your idea and create something closer to what you imagine

2. Style

   • Definition: Style is the way the picture looks, like whether it’s a cartoon, a painting, or looks like a certain artist’s work.

   • Why It’s Important: You pick a style in your prompt, like “Little Blue Truck” art, and each AI tries to make the image match that style. It’s what makes the picture look special!

3. Composition

   • Definition: Composition is how everything in the picture is arranged, like whether it’s a close-up or a wide view showing lots of things.

   • Why It’s Important: In your prompt, you choose a composition, like a “wide-angle view,” to tell the AI how to set up the scene. It helps make sure the picture shows what you want!