![](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/how-to-3/1000px.jpg)
How to Make Your Kids a Dimmer Switch Story DialM
M
In 11 Cool Hand Drawn Steps
home hacks
!['Day Night' Dimmer Switch Dial](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/photo-2/dimmer-switch-dial-1000px.jpg)
!['Day Night' Dimmer Switch Dial](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/photo-3/dimmer-switch-dial-1000px.jpg)
!['Day Night' Dimmer Switch Dial](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/photo-4/dimmer-switch-dial-1000px.jpg)
Mesmerise your kids by turning their bedroom dimmer switch into a fun interactive story.
With the lights on, a cardboard dial displays a picturesque daytime scene… as the lights are dimmed, the sun in the picture begins to set, until the picture reveals a night sky with moon and stars!
Step by Step Guide
If you’d like to make your own ‘dimmer dial’ follow the instructions below. First, let’s take a look at the approach as a whole…
!['Day Night' dimmer switch dial: illustration 1](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/how-to-1/1000px.jpg)
It’s simple, really… just a circular dial and a cover all made from cardboard.
!['Day Night' dimmer switch dial: illustration 2](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/how-to-2/1000px.jpg)
Step 1: Cut two discs from corrugated cardboard, one 94mm and the other 98mm in diameter. In the centre of the smaller disc (Disc 2) cut out a hole, it must be small enough to fit tightly over the dimmer switch knob.
Step 2: Take the other disc (Disc 1) and use a craft knife to cut out a large ‘pie shaped’ hole, use the measurements shown.
Step 3: Cut two strips 320mm x 27mm from thick card (210gsm) and join them end on end using glue - this is the side strip.
!['Day Night' dimmer switch dial: illustration 3](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/how-to-3/1000px.jpg)
Step 4: Apply glue along the edge of Disc 1 and attach the side strip.
Step 5: Print the Disc 1 artwork onto card… ergh! Unfortunately, I’ve lost those files… so you’re going to have to get the colouring pens out! Place Disc 1 face down onto some white paper, or ideally light card stock, and trace around it with a pencil. Draw your scene on the card, use my illustration as reference.
Step 6: Trim around the artwork and glue it onto the front of Disc 1.
!['Day Night' dimmer switch dial: illustration 4](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/how-to-4/1000px.jpg)
Step 7: Print out disc 2 artwork… ergh! No artwork sorry… instead, place disc 2 onto some white paper, or light card stock and trace around it. Draw a ‘night & day’ sky scene onto it, with the sun and moon on opposite ‘sides’, remember, the disc rotates, so becareful not to end up with an upside down sun or moon!
Step 8: Cut out your masterpiece (including the hole) and glue it onto disc 2.
Step 9: Cut out two ‘tabs’ from the thick card, fold them in half and glue them to the top and bottom of the cover.
!['Day Night' dimmer switch dial: illustration 5](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/how-to-5/1000px.jpg)
Step 10: Turn the light on and push disc 2 onto the dimmer knob, sun at the top.
Step 11: Place the cover on top, attaching the two ‘tabs’ to the wall with tape or poster putty (Blu Tack).
!['Day Night' dimmer switch dial: illustration 6](https://makefuncreating.com/images/content/collections/posts/dimmer-switch-dial/how-to-6/1000px.jpg)
That’s it, just dim the lights (12) and watch the moon appear (13).
Materials List
- Rotary dimmer switch!
- Thick and thin card
- Paper glue
- Craft knife and scissors
- Pencil, ruler and eraser
- Colouring pens or paints
Creative Takeaway
Objects that move, even the humble dimmer switch, can be hi-jacked in order to use the movement in other more creative ways. Is there something you do with… a door, window or the wheel on your bike?