How To: Create a zoetrope

For a fun novelty project, try making a zoetrope at home.

* A plastic coffee can lid
* A strip of white paper 20" x 1.5" tall
* A strip of black paper 20" x 3" tall
* Glue, rubber cement or tape
* A craft knife
* A pencil
* A ruler
* A plastic coffee can lid
* A strip of white paper 20" x 1.5" tall
* A strip of black paper 20" x 3" tall
* Glue, rubber cement or tape
* A craft knife
* A pencil
* A ruler
* A plastic coffee can lid
* A strip of white paper 20" x 1.5" tall
* A strip of black paper 20" x 3" tall
* Glue, rubber cement or tape
* A craft knife
* A pencil
* A ruler
* A plastic coffee can lid
* A strip of white paper 20" x 1.5" tall
* A strip of black paper 20" x 3" tall
* Glue, rubber cement or tape
* A craft knife
* A pencil
* A ruler
* A plastic coffee can lid

Step 1. Plan the animation.
Step 2. Place the lid flat side down
Step 3. Roll white paper into a tube and place into lid
Step 4. Mark where the inside edge overlaps the paper
Step 5. Measure the white paper
Step 6. Divide by the number of steps in your animation
Step 7. Sketch out the animation
Step 8. Return the paper to the lid
Step 9. Place black paper flat with white paper on top
Step 10. Draw a line down the length of the black paper
Step 11. Continue the marks you made onto the black sheet
Step 12. Move the white sheet
Step 13. Extend the lines
Step 14. Connect the sets of marks
Step 15. Cut windows
Step 16. Cut an X in the lid's center
Step 17. Run a bead of glue on the inside of the lid's lip
Step 18. Roll the black paper and place it in the lid
Step 19. Push the black paper against the glue and let dry
Step 20. Poke the pencil down through the X
Step 21. Roll the white sheet and place inside the drum
Step 22. Rotate the drum
Step 23. Watch your animation