Activity 1: Build a Thaumatrope

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In this activity, you'll create your very own optical toy, a thaumatrope.

You will need:

  • A cardboard circle of 100mm (approximately four inches) in diameter
  • A paper punch
  • Two pieces of 150mm (approximately six inches) of string
  • Coloured pencils

How to build a thaumatrope
  1. With the paper punch, make two holes, one on each side of the cardboard circle.

  1. Using your coloured pencils, draw a little bird on one side of the cardboard. Make sure the bird is in the middle of the circle.

  1. Now draw a bird cage on the other side of the cardboard. Make sure the cage is also in the middle of the circle.

  1. Attach the strings to each side of the circle, drawing the string through the holes you punched at the beginning of the exercise.

  1. Grasping the ends of each string, hold the thaumatrope tautly in front of you. Start twisting the strings between your fingers. As you pull and twist the ends of the stings, the cardboard disc will begin to spin quickly.

  1. What do you see the bird and the cage doing?

Quiz

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Animation Techniques

Time Estimated 20 mins

Difficulty Level Beginner

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