Thursday, January 10, 2013

Ice-skating rink from an altoid tin


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Using an old altoid tin, a magnet,  paperclip and my drawing abilities, I made this cute, portable little toy!


Using a magnet on the bottom, she really skates around the "rink".
My 4 year old son was so impressed by this, he couldn't believe I made it!
I love when I can impress my own kids, it's very rare!


So, to make your own, just clean out your tin, and create a scenic background. You can draw one like I did,
or look online and print your own, cut out from a magazine or use your own photographs...many possibilities. 
In fact, to further impress my children, I think I will make another set of these...using tiny photos of my 2 kids. They will be dancing, and I know, they will find this hilarious!

Just tape a paperclip to the back of the image of the person you want to move, bending a portion of the clip up, to attach, but leaving a good portion down, to act as a stand for the person.
We had to use a pretty strong magnet, to move the girl around. She would glide pretty easily, then suddenly flip over sideways, causing hysterical belly laughs. (also giving me the idea to make dancers for the next set.)

Also, it can all be stored neatly inside it's own tin!  How great is that?


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If you like little magnetic games, check out our Tiny Magnetic Tintin Game
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17 comments:

  1. dawtJanuary 11, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    This is one of the most adorable things I've ever seen! I especially like your idea of using your kids' photos and hope you'll post pictures of that if you make them.

    While I'm here my daughter and I would like to thank you for contributing to our Craft Discoveries tumblr blog. We appreciate submissions from people like you who craft for the joy of it!

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    1. Corinne DeanJanuary 11, 2013 at 11:36 AM

      Thank you so much, for your comments and for sharing our work on your blog! You really have so many fun, creative ideas on there!

      I will let you know, when I finish the tins with my "dancing kids" too!

      Delete
  2. UnknownJanuary 14, 2013 at 10:50 AM

    This is such a creative idea for kids, and it's so beautiful!

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  3. UnknownJanuary 19, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Hi, I really love your ice skating ring...i think the idea of using photos of your kids sounds pretty hilarious...magnets can be so much fun...i made this little puppet theatre with magnets a few years back... http://www.colouredbuttons.com/2009/06/matchbox-monday-4-rocky-monster.html
    thought you might like to see it.

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    Replies
    1. Corinne DeanJanuary 20, 2013 at 3:12 PM

      Thank you so much! Your puppet theatre is adorable, thank you for sharing! I will probably have to spend some time looking over your whole blog now, looks like you have lots of cute ideas.

      Delete
  4. vervlogen dagenJanuary 23, 2013 at 1:33 AM

    I love this. Finding a tin mocht be the hardest part of it, Altoids aren't available in Holland and I guess a lot of tins have been replaced by plastics.

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    1. Corinne DeanJanuary 27, 2013 at 7:33 PM

      Thank you. That is a shame you are having trouble finding the tin...maybe someone online would sell them? Good luck!

      Delete
  5. maggieelyseJanuary 30, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Hi! This is so adorable! I was thinking of making one of my boyfriend and me for Valentine's day since our very first date was skating! :) I was wondering where you found the magnet you used? Thanks so much!

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    1. Corinne DeanJanuary 30, 2013 at 2:22 PM

      That is a really cool idea! The magnet I used, I bought years ago in an art museum gift shop. But, if they still make them, it was made by Umbra. They are pretty strong. Good luck!

      Delete
  6. AritulMay 9, 2013 at 6:22 AM

    That is so awesome.

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  7. AmetllaJune 23, 2013 at 12:59 AM

    jajajaa que buena idea!

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  8. MandyDecember 21, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    I was so excited to make this and it came out so cute, but unfortunately I am having no luck with the magnet. I have tried three different ones, all very strong I thought! The girl doesn't move at all. :( :( :( Any tips???

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  9. Corinne DeanDecember 21, 2013 at 9:14 PM

    Hey Mandy, sorry you are having such trouble finding magnets, I guess I didn't realize how strong the ones i had were!
    The magnets i used i had for years, made by Umbra. I found this link on ebay that actually has them, although a bit pricey, but at least you can see them; http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=121211778274
    Try checking online or at teacher supply store or a science surplus type store for.super strong magnets. Let me know if you find something, good luck!

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  10. JERNEJADecember 8, 2014 at 1:44 PM

    wooow brilliant idea :D

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  11. Jann SchottSeptember 17, 2015 at 11:50 PM

    This really is adorable! It reminds me of a music box I have from a LONG time ago. It's a baby chick 'dancing' on this plastic piece that covers the music box metal area, and when the music plays, the chick dances, twirls and swirls around. The chick is on a magnet which keeps it moving. Thank you for sharing.

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