Make this DIY Kaleidoscope for Kids with supplies you probably already have at home. The kids will have a blast making it and playing with it for the perfect rainy-day activity.
I remember playing with a kaleidoscope as a child so I thought it would be fun for my kids to make this DIY Kaleidoscope. The colors are so bright and pretty and the entire activity is just a blast.
The supplies are really simple, and you probably can shop your home for what you need. This is a fun DIY and a great example that it does not have to be complicated or expensive to be fun!
We also enjoy making this DIY Snow Globe.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
With just a few supplies and a couple of precise cuts, you can make your very own homemade kaleidoscope.
It is not difficult at all and a great science activity to do together as a family. From preschoolers to older children, this is a fun activity and makes science projects and science toys fun.
We love that any kind of artistic activity helps to encourage brain development by stimulating both the right hemispheres and left hemispheres of the brain.
Supplies
- 2 empty cardboard tubes. You can toilet paper rolls or 1 empty paper towel roll cut into half or a wrapping paper roll cut.
- 1 plastic shot glass or condiment cup. This will need to fit into the end of the tube.
- Clear plastic beads. It is ideal to have a variety of the clear plastic colored beads.
- Aluminum foil
- Scrap cardboard. We used a cereal box.
- Scissors
- Clear Tape
- Masking tape
- Clear Packaging Tape
- Colored paper. You can use scrapbook paper as well.
- Washi tape or stickers
- Push pin
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1 – First, if you are using 2 toilet paper tubes, tape them together with masking tape.
Step 2 – Next, fill the shot glass or condiment cup about ½ to ¾ of the way with beads. Transparent beads work the best for this project.
Step 3 – Then, fold a piece of clear packaging tape in half so neither side is sticky. Place over the end of the container holding the beads.
Step 4 – Also, secure on the open end of the container with scotch tape.
Step 5 – Slide into the end of the cardboard roll.
Step 6 – To create the reflective prism, cut a piece of cardboard with dimensions of 4″ x 5″ using a ruler. Then fold it into a triangle shape making sure one ends overlap to seal shut. Cut a piece of foil a little larger than the cardboard and secure it on the cardboard with clear tape, but only one end.
Step 7- Carefully fold up the cardboard and foil together, keeping the foil on the inside and making sure not to tear the foil. Secure the end of the foil and fold the foils on the end down and secure with clear tape.
Step 8 -Tape the triangle together with tape.
Step 9 – Drop the triangle into the tube.
Step 10 – Trace one end of the tube on a piece of card stock. Add “sunshine rays” about 1/2″ away from the outline and cut around the rays. Finally, cut the rays.
Step 11 – Afterward, place the round on one end of the cardboard tube and fold the edges down. Secure with tape. Use a push pin to push a hole into the cardstock circle center. This is easier to do than using scissors. Your hole should be at least 1/4″ to 1/2″ in diameter.
Step 12 – Additionally, cover the tube with wrapping paper or construction paper by securing it with tape. Make sure each side of the roll is covered before decorating.
Step 13 – Finally, decorate the tube with washi tape, stickers or other decorations.
Step 14 – Now, this DIY Kaleidoscope is ready to play with.
How to Use
Hold the kaleidoscope toward the light. Look through the eyepiece end while turning it to see fun designs and colors.
Not only is this super fun to make but it is a blast to play with. Everyone will have so much fun.
This is a great activity that is fun and also provides lots of teachable moments. Your kids will look back on this time together and have such great memories.
Variations
- Beads. Use different colors and let kids choose their favorites. Clear iridescent beads work the best in this activity for kids.
- Paper. Try using wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, leftover craft paper or any type of decorative paper or colored sheet.
- Glitter. Add glitter to the beads for even more creativity.
- Sequins. This is another lightweight and colorful option to add.
Try More Easy Craft Ideas
- Easy Homemade Playdough Recipes
- Polymer Clay Ideas
- Tissue Paper Crafts for Kids
- 20 Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids
- How to Make a Pop Up Card
It is so easy and fun to make a DIY Kaleidoscope. Make one today and leave a comment!
DIY Kaleidoscope for Kids
Equipment
- 2 empty cardboard tubes. You can toilet paper rolls or 1 empty paper towel roll cut into half.
- 1 plastic shot glass or condiment cup. This will need to fit into the end of the tube.
- Clear plastic beads. It is ideal to have a variety of the clear plastic beads.
- Aluminum foil
- Scrap cardboard. We used a cereal box.
- Scissors
- clear tape
- Masking tape
- Clear Packaging Tape
- Colored paper. You can use scrapbook paper as well.
- Washi tape or stickers
- Push pin
Instructions
- Step 1 – If using 2 toilet paper tubes, tape them together with masking tape.
- Step 2 – Next, fill the shot glass or condiment cup about ½ to ¾ of the way with beads. Transparent beads work the best for this project.
- Step 3 – Fold a piece of clear packaging tape in half so neither side is sticky. Place over the end of the container holding the beads.
- Step 4 – Secure on the open end of the container with scotch tape. Slide into the end of the tube.
- Step 5 – To create the reflective prism, cut a piece of cardboard about 4″ x 5″ and fold it into a triangle shape making sure one ends overlap to seal shut.
- Cut a piece of foil a little larger than the cardboard and secure it on the card board with clear tape, but only one one end.
- Create the form.
- Step 6 – Carefully fold up the cardboard and foil together, keeping the foil on the inside and making sure not to tear the foil. Secure the end of the foil and fold the foils on the end down and secure with clear tape.
- Step 7 – Tape the triangle together with tape.
- Step 8 – Drop the triangle into the tube.
- Step 9 – Trace one end of the tube on a piece of card stock. Add “sunshine rays” about 1/2″ away from the outline and cut around the rays. Cut the rays.
- Step 10 – Place the round on one end of the tube and fold the edges down. Secure with tape. Use a push pin to push a hole into the center.
- Step 11 – This is easier to do than using scissors. Your hole should be at least 1/4″ to 1/2″ in diameter.
- Step 12 – Cover the tube with wrapping paper or construction paper by securing it with tape. Decorate the tube with washi tape or stickers.
