Overview Thaumatropes were a very popular toy that children used to play with before there was television, movies, or cartoons. It uses the same process that animators use to make a cartoon look like it’s moving. Each frame of a cartoon is drawn by the artist to show any movement like jumping, walking, dancing... This activity will allow you to create two separate images on each side of your thaumatrope, and when it is spun quickly, it will trick your eyes and brain into thinking the image is moving or actually connected and on one paper together.
Materials
A pencil to draw with
White paper (Construction paper or stiffer paper type works best.I used a paper plate cut the same size, to tape my paper to and make my paper stronger.)
Colored Pencils, Crayons, or Markers to add color to your drawings
Tape
Scissors
A bowl or other circle to trace (About 3-4 inches across)
Chopstick, a pencil, or another type of thin dowel rod to use as the spinner
Directions
Trace your bowl or other round object TWO times to create two circles of the same size and carefully cut them out.
Start with Circle 1 and draw your first picture. Make sure you think about how large it should be and where you are drawing it on the circle.
Now hold up both circles to a window and VERY LIGHTLY trace the outline of your first drawing onto Circle 2. (This will help your make sure that your drawings match up in the correct spot and your illusion/animation is successful)
Draw your second image on Circle 2 making sure it’s large enough and in the correct spot so that the two pictures make sense together.
Add color to both of your drawings. You also might consider tracing with a marker so you can see the details really well when you spin it.
Sandwich your chopstick between the two circles & tape the paper to the rod, and then tape the paper together, creating a paper and chopstick lollipop! (I added a circle I cut from a paper plate in the center of my lollipop to make it stronger)
Practice slowly turning the rod by rubbing your hands together, so that you see Circle 2, then Circle 1. Then gradually increase your speed. As you do this you will notice the two images merge and combine together.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH MRS. HOSBACH SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE A THAUMATROPE!
Hmmmmmm, WHAT TO DRAW??? Here are some ideas to get you started with your thinking....
Think of two pictures that would make sensetogether
A goldfish and a fishbowl
A bird and a birdcage
A flower and a bumblebee
A bird and a tree branch
A spider and it’s web
Or it could be one object that you separate into two parts.
A slice of watermelon and the seeds
A cupcake and a cherry on top
A ice cream cone and ice cream
It could also be one object and you can draw it in two different positions to make it look like it’s moving.
A Butterfly with its wings open and closed
A person doing jumping jacks
A bird flying
REMEMBER...These are all just ideas to help you start thinking creatively. What other ideas can you come up with?