Valentine’s Day is a time for hearts, love, friendship and……optical illusions? Thaumatropes are one the earliest forms of animation and were once a popular toy. They work by creating an optical illusion of one image made from two! As well as a fun science craft activity, this simple STEM challenge is a great way to learn about the persistence of vision and how our brains process visual information. Get ready to create your own Valentine thaumatrope and discover the magic of science!
My handy thaumatrope template is free to download, or you can draw your own!
You’ll need
White card
Felt tip pens
Tape or glue
Scissors
Hole punch
2 elastic bands
Instructions
Draw two identical circles on the card ( or use my handy template ).
Draw a different image on each circle.
Glue the circles together with the images on the outside. For them to merge correctly, one image needs to be upside down.
Punch a hole in each side of the circle.
Loop an elastic band through each hole.
Hold the rubber bands between your thumb and first finger and twist them.
As the circles of card rotate, the two drawings merge, so they look like one image.
Why does it work?
The two images merge because your brain sees one image first and the second image before it finishes processing the first, so you see two images simultaneously.
This effect is called the persistence of vision.
More science activities for Valentine’s Day
Last Updated on February 13, 2025 by Emma Vanstone
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