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Description

What are we making? A spinning optical illusion. One side shows a bird and the other shows a cage. When the disc spins quickly, your eyes and brain blend the two pictures, so the bird appears to be inside the cage.

Resources

Paper bird and cage template
One basswood circle for each child
Child-safe scissors
Glue stick or a small amount of PVA glue
string for spinning
Pencil and felt-tip pens or colouring pencils

Instructions

Adult jobs: Pre-cut the basswood if required, make the side holes, and check the wood for splinters or rough edges.
Safety rule: Keep the spinner at the table. Do not wave, jab, throw or spin it close to another person.

Make your spinner

Colour the pictures. Colour the bird and the cage on the paper template.
Cut them out. Follow the outside lines carefully. Ask for help if you need it.
Check the sides. Put the bird on one side of the basswood and the cage on the other side.
Line them up. The pictures must be centred. The bird and cage should both be the right way up when you look at each side.
Glue the bird. Use a thin, even layer of glue. Press the picture flat.
Glue the cage. Turn the wood over and glue the cage to the other side. Press it flat.
Let it dry. Place the disc flat and wait until the pictures are secure.
Add the string loops through the side holes
Spin safely. Hold the strings between both hands and roll it backwards and forwards. Keep it away from faces.
Watch closely. Can you see the bird appear inside the cage?

Tags

• creative craft
• experiment badge
• Eye Illusions
• optical illusions
• science
• spinner

Badge Links

• Experiment - Experiment