It started with a simple question from my youngest son:
“What Simpsons character would you be?”
We tossed around a few guesses, laughing about whether I was more of a Homer or a Ned, and then I flipped the question back at him. That’s when the lightbulb went off… I remembered how we’d used ChatGPT 3.5 in the past to create a fun little RPG together, where he gave input and the AI spun a story around it. We had a merry adventure beating an orc, tricking a wizard, and eventually saving the day. Why not see if it could figure out what Simpsons character we would be?
This time, with GPT-4o, I uploaded a photo of him and asked it to turn him into a Simpsons character. Not only did it create a fantastic cartoon version of him in that signature yellow hue, it gave him a name, a personality, a backstory. He instantly transformed into Milo Munchman, a snack-loving, big-hearted troublemaker with a squirrel sidekick “Nutters” and a knack for vending machine mischief.
And then, as these things often do in our house, it spiraled… in the best way possible.
We brought in the rest of the family:
• Abe Munchman, the quiet, bearded engineer dad who keeps the Springfield Power Plant from imploding (from the basement, of course).
• Marge Munchman, the loving, detail-oriented homemaker and holiday party queen.
• Lisa Munchman, Milo’s fiercely loyal older sister with a pink-shirt-wearing soft armor philosophy.
• Bart and Burt, the lovable goofball older brothers who specialize in breaking things creatively.
• Mimi Munchman, the grandma with a purse full of wisdom and snacks.
• Maw Maw, the homesteading, plaid-clad matriarch who can outbuild, outbake, and outwit just about anyone.
• And Auntie Grace, the galaxy-hoodie-wearing cosmic crafter and aunt every kid dreams of.
We had a blast watching each image pop into existence, complete with Christmas hats, personality quirks, and in some cases, galactic glitter! The backstories were sometimes eerily spot-on and sometimes hilariously off, but always perfect. We laughed, we built out a fictional universe, and honestly, we made a memory that’ll stick with us for a long while.
What started with a question turned into a full-blown family portrait, Springfield style.
Want to Do It Yourself?
If you’re curious to try this out with your own family (or just want to see yourself as a Simpson), here’s how we did it:
1. Upload a photo to GPT-4o.
2. Ask it to turn the person into a Simpsons character.
3. Request a backstory… and maybe a catchphrase for good measure.
4. Keep going. Add relatives, pets, friends, and create your own little Springfield.
I love utilizing AI to help me spark play, fuel creativity, and bring the family together in unexpected, delightful ways. When kids own the adventure, it’s just different, seeing their creations come to life… Today we brought springfield to us and I wouldn’t trade it for all the Duff Beer in the world!
