The word Thaumatrope means “wonder turner”, a definition I just love. It is so simple to make and the possibilities are endless. It entails creating an image that when flipped and turned becomes one as your eye creates an optical illusion. Little one’s will be delighted by the images as it spins. Rowan was thrilled calling it magic.

Younger children will need help or they may enjoy glueing the elements together after you have painted it. Older kids can think up the myriad of ideas and have fun with this project all together.

Thaumatropes

Card stock cut into circles (page 2 of template here)
Paint or Crayons
Glue
Tape
stick or straw

Just think up an image, that when married together, creates one image. Paint half of your image on one circle, and then the remaining image on the other circle. Tape a stick or straw to the backside of one circle to create a handle, then glue the other circle to it. Make sure your image is lined up correctly, so that when you spin the Thaumatrope your image works.

If you want to create the dog in a house that you see above, you can download the template here.