Thaumatrope - Pioneer Craft and Toy

Our Aug. / Sept. Prize

This project was submitted by one of my group members from Facebook. She is the winner of our Aug. / Sept. Contest. The contest was simple , make something from the pioneer era. Nothing to complex but something the entire group could do , everything from toys to homemade recipes were welcome.We hold a monthly contest , but this one ran over a little in an effort to let others participate. Please visit my group on Facebook for more contests and info.
I wanted to share this with you because it is simple and basic but tons of fun for the children and adults alike. It is also educational not only in the making of the toy but the history that surrounds it.

We are studying Colonial America for our history segment, so this project was timely!

The thaumatrope is an optical illusion.  When you spin the disk, the two pictures spin so fast that your eye is tricked into thinking they are one.

You’ll need:

• a square of stiff cardboard
• hole punch
• two pieces of string
• 

  markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• scissors

1.  Cut circle out of the cardboard.

2.  Punch a hole in each side of the circle.

3.  Draw a picture on each side of the circle.  When put together, the two pictures should make one picture, such as a bird and a cage, a mother and child, or a flower and a pot.  To make sure that the pictures will fit together, hold the circle in front of you. Flip it over from the bottom. The picture on the other side should be right side up.

4.  Tie a piece of string to each side of the cardboard circle.

5.  Hold one string in each hand and wind up the thaumatrope. When you release the circle, the pictures will spin together and form one picture.

Reference/source  http://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/researchthaumatrope.htm