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Meme explained
4 min read

How to Make the Bad Times Trend Toddler Video From a Photo of Your Child

The toddler version of the BAD TIMES argument trend, step by step: what the toddler take is, who may upload a child's photo, which photo works, privacy, and what it costs.

How to Make the Bad Times Trend Toddler Video From a Photo of Your Child

A toddler wobbles up to the phone, points a tiny finger, holds up a little "stop" hand, shrugs and walks off giggling — all to Imael Angel's "BAD TIMES". After the original argument went viral, parents started filming their toddlers doing it their own way. Here's how to make one starring your own child, from one photo.

What is the Bad Times toddler video?

The original BAD TIMES TikTok shows a woman having an over-the-top argument with whoever holds the phone, lip-syncing the song. Parents then filmed their toddlers doing the same, and this version follows one of those toddler takes — 26 seconds long — instead of the adult original.

Upload a photo of your own child and they play the part. The video keeps their face, age, hair and outfit and the room from your photo, so it looks like a home video of your little one.

Who can upload a child's photo?

Only a parent or legal guardian, and only a photo of their own child. Do not upload anyone else's child. That's also what our terms and privacy policy allow: photos of children only in templates made for children, uploaded by their parent or guardian.

How to make it

  1. Open the toddler version.
  2. Add one photo of your child. Clear and well lit, face toward the camera, only your child in the photo.
  3. Pick a version. Premium makes the whole 26-second take; Balanced makes its first 15 seconds for fewer credits.
  4. Generate and download. In a few minutes you get a vertical 9:16 MP4 with the song. It stays private until you choose to share it.

Photos that work best

  • Face clear. Eyes and mouth sharp and toward the camera; blurry or side-on photos lose the likeness.
  • Upper body in frame. Head and shoulders or more, so the video gets their outfit and proportions right.
  • Good light. Daylight or a bright room, without heavy filters.
  • Only your child. One child per photo, no one else in frame, and no one holding them.

Toddlers and babies who can stand — roughly 1 to 4 years old — work best. The motion comes from a toddler's take, and the video keeps your child small and toddler-sized.

Privacy

Photos and videos are never published, shown to other users or used in our examples or marketing; only you can see them in Your renders. The photo you upload is deleted 30 days after the video is made.

Why was my child's photo rejected?

The video provider reviews every photo first and sometimes rejects photos of children. When that happens the credits come back automatically; a clearer everyday photo may pass.

What does it cost?

Premium makes the whole 26-second video: 45 credits at 480p, 100 at 720p and 180 at 1080p. Balanced makes the 15-second highlight from 15 credits. Each account's first full 480p video costs just 20 credits. There's no watermark, and failed renders and rejected photos are refunded automatically.

FAQ

Is the song included? Yes. Imael Angel's "BAD TIMES" is added under the video in time with the moves.

Can I make one with an adult? Use the original Bad Times AI template, which follows the original performer.

Can I share it with family? Yes — download the MP4 and send it however you like. Nobody else sees it unless you share it.

Make your toddler's Bad Times video →