Looking for a quick and creative Christmas STEM activity? Try making a festive Christmas thaumatrope. It’s a classic optical illusion toy that blends art and science! Kids spin a picture on a straw and watch two separate images magically turn into one. It’s easy to set up, perfect for classrooms or holiday parties.
Christmas Thaumatrope STEAM Activity
Kids fascinated by optical illusions will also love our Peppermint Spinner and 3D Christmas Shape Ornaments. They are both easy STEAM projects using paper and simple supplies.
Below, grab our free printable Christmas thaumatrope templates and learn how this simple optical illusion works.
Supplies Needed for a Christmas Thaumatrope
You only need a few basic materials:
- Printable Christmas thaumatrope templates (see below)
- Paper straws (or pencils/chopsticks)
- Tape or glue
- Scissors
How to Make a Christmas Thaumatrope (Easy STEM Craft)
🎥 Watch the Video Tutorial!
Want to try the other activities seen in the video?
Check out:
Print your thaumatrope templates: Choose from our ready-made Christmas pictures—or design your own!
Cut out both circles: Make sure you keep each matched pair together.
Tape the back of one image to the straw: Secure it firmly so it won’t shift when spinning.
Tape the second picture to the other side of the straw: Make sure it aligns with the first picture.
Now spin the straw between your hands and watch the magic happen!
Free Christmas Thaumatrope Template
Grab your free Christmas thaumatrope STEAM activity here.
What Is a Thaumatrope?
A thaumatrope is an early 1800s optical toy with a picture on each side of a spinning disc. When spun quickly, the two images appear to blend into one thanks to persistence of vision—the way your eyes briefly hold an image even after it disappears.
Classic example:
Bird + Cage → Bird in a Cage
Our Christmas version uses fun holiday images like ornaments, wreaths, Santa hats, and more!
The Science Behind the Christmas Thaumatrope
A thaumatrope works because of a visual phenomenon called persistence of vision. When an image flashes before our eyes, it lingers for a fraction of a second. If another image appears quickly afterward, the two images overlap in the brain, creating the illusion of a single picture.
This simple spinning toy demonstrates:
- Early animation techniques
- How the brain processes visual information
- How motion creates optical illusions
More Fun Christmas Activities
- Christmas Science Experiments
- Christmas LEGO Ideas
- DIY Christmas Ornaments For Kids
- Snowflake Activities
- Christmas STEM Activities
- Christmas Art Projects
- Christmas Jokes for Kids
Printable Christmas Project Packs
Visit our SHOP for easy-to-print art, holiday, STEM, and science lesson plans for the whole year. Or join us in the Little Bins Club.
The link for the printable Christmas Thaumatrope pictures goes to a Free Christmas Color By Number request… Luckily, when I used the request anyway, the Thaumatropes printable arrived. The Thaumatropes look like a fun activity!
Shelley
When I click the link to get the printables, the wrong printables appear. Then In the past they have never been sent.
Please email me sarah@littlebinsforlittlehands I will double check it! Please note that some school/business systems may block the delivery of printables as they are automated.
Thank you I fixed it! Feel free to reach out to sarah@littlebinsforlittlehands.com if you need anything!