Small shiny objects, such as beads, sequins, and shiny confetti
Wax paper
A rubber band
Stickers or wrapping paper (optional)
A utility knife (optional)
Steps
Draw
a rectangle
Draw a rectangle, 8-by-4 inches, on the plastic using your pen or permanent
marker, and cut it out with your scissors or a utility knife.
Draw
your fold lines
Draw three lines, parallel to each other, lengthwise along the rectangle.
The lines should be 1¼ inches apart, starting 1¼ inches from the top
edge. The last line will be ¼ inch from the bottom edge.
Fold
the rectangle
Fold your rectangle along the lines you just drew, forming a three-dimensional
triangle. The small 1/4-inch fold should be on the outside. Using your
clear tape, tape the triangle together along the thin ¼-inch flap of
plastic.
Cut
the paper towel tube
Cut the paper towel tube to a length of 8 inches, the same length as
your plastic triangle. Slide your clear plastic triangle inside the
paper towel tube.
Cover
one end
Place one end of the tube on the black construction paper and trace
a circle around it. Cut out the circle with your scissors and tape it
to one end of the paper towel tube.
Poke
a hole
Poke a small hole with the scissors or utility knife in the middle of
the construction paper circle you just taped to the paper towel tube.
Fill
the plastic wrap with shiny objects
Place a square of plastic wrap on the uncovered end of the paper towel
tube. Push the plastic wrap down into the tube by about 1 inch to create
a pocket. Fill the depression with your shiny sequins, beads, and confetti.
Cover
the plastic wrap
Once the plastic wrap is filled with shiny objects, cover the open end
of the tube with wax paper. Wrap a rubber band around the edge of the
tube so that the wax paper and plastic wrap stay in place. Make sure
the rubber band is tight so nothing slips out!
Trim
the plastic wrap and wax paper
With your scissors, trim off the excess plastic wrap and wax paper so
your kaleidoscope doesn’t look messy. If you have stickers or wrapping
paper, you can now use them to decorate the outside of your kaleidoscope.
Don’t cover the eyehole or the wax paper – that’s how the light gets
in!
Enjoy
your homemade kaleidoscope
Look through your kaleidoscope, pointing the other end at a lamp or
indirect source of sunlight. Slowly turn it in your hand, enjoying all
the pretty colors.
How To Make a Kaleidoscope
Draw
a rectangle
Draw
your fold lines
Fold
the rectangle
Cut
the paper towel tube
Cover
one end
Poke
a hole
Fill
the plastic wrap with shiny objects
Cover
the plastic wrap
Trim
the plastic wrap and wax paper
Enjoy
your homemade kaleidoscope
