I am excited to be offering 30 days of fun crafts to keep kids active and entertained this summer! You won’t want to miss a day of these fun crafts for kids from some amazing bloggers! Please be sure to pay them a visit!


This is Mandy from Little Birdie Secrets, and we’re so excited to be a part of Skip To My Lou’s craft camp again this year! Our kids are still in school another week, but I can already hear that familiar summer refrain, “I’m bored, Mom!” Craft Camp is definitely my go-to list for summer boredom busters!

My boys are very curious, so this is a cool craft that can also be a physics lesson.

Make Your Own Kaleidoscope

 

Supplies for DIY Kaleidoscope:

*Plastic report cover (mine came in a pack of 6, which will make at least 12 kaleidoscopes!)
*Empty paper towel tube (toilet paper rolls are too short!)
*Plastic wrap
*Wax paper
*Shiny objects (transparent are best–beads, plastic confetti, etc.)
*Paper cutter
*1/4″ hole punch
*Rubber band
*Pencil, scissors, tape
*Patterned paper or construction paper

How to make a kaleidoscope

1. Cut a piece of report cover 11″ x 5″. Measure and score a line at 1 3/8″. I used my paper cutter to make a perfect score line.

Score another line 1 3/8″ from the first line, and another at 1 3/8″ from that line. Then cut the end off 1/2″ from that line. Your plastic should look like this.

2. Fold your plastic into a triangular shape, using the 1/2″ section to overlap. Tape down the flap to secure your triangular tube.

3. Trace one end of your paper towel tube on your patterned paper or card stock. Cut it out.

Punch a hole in the middle of it.

Tape it onto one end of your paper towel roll.

4. Insert your triangle into your paper towel roll.

5. Cover the other end with a square of plastic wrap. Push the plastic wrap inside the triangle to create a shallow cup.

6. Collect shiny beads, shapes, buttons, etc.  Transparent objects work best.

Fill your cup with shiny objects.

7. Cover the end with a square of wax paper. Secure with a rubber band.

8. Cover the tube with patterned paper or colored construction paper. Secure with tape.

Hold your kaleidoscope up to the light and turn to see different shapes and colors dance before your eyes! Then have a good talk about how light reflects off the sides of the triangle and they’ll be learning, too. Enjoy!

For another great toilet paper craft try making these DIY Toilet Paper Roll Puppets.

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Comments

  1. Wow! After all I got a blog from where I can truly obtain valuable information concerning my study and
    knowledge.

  2. This was a highly disappointing experience. I tried following the given steps for making a kaleidoscope, however, the finished product was incredibly mediocre. I’ve seen/used many kaleidoscopes in my day, and this tutorial was sub-par. If you enjoy making crafts, then please give this a try. However, if you admire kaleidoscopes for any matter, then stay away from this site!

  3. I AM a student and i have tried to make kaleidoscope reffering from your website and the result was perfect

  4. I’ve been collecting toilet paper and paper towel rolls with my Girl Scout Daisy Troop. This is a great use for those – I can’t wait to try it out with my girls!

  5. I just found your site & I love everything! I will definitely try this project with my kids this summer! Very neat!

  6. this is so cool i want to make one for me!!! OK i’ll wait till the kids get home from school!!

  7. Wow! That is so cool! I had no idea it would be that easy to make one. Thanks so much for sharing.

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