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