Kaleidoscopes are fun and fascinating, for kids and adults, alike!
Making your own kaleidoscope at home and discussing how it works can be all the more fun!
Here’s how you can create a recycled kaleidoscope:
– Toilet paper roll
– A smaller roll
– Transparent sheet
– Mirrored sheet
– A colorful/glitter sheet
– Colorful beads
– Cellophane tape
– Glue
– Scissors
Steps:
- Take the toilet paper roll and glue a colored or glitter sheet around it.
- Fold the mirrored sheet in a triangular fashion so that it resembles a prism. Place the sheet inside the roll.
- Cut the transparent sheet into 2 circles with the same diameter as that of the roll.Glue one of the circles on one end of the roll. Take another roll, slightly smaller than the first one and cut out a part of it from one end so it resembles a circular strip of paper.
- Now glue the other circle cut out of the transparent sheet, to this strip. Place some colorful beads on it. Now attach this end to the free end of the kaleidoscope
Now ask the kids to look into the kaleidoscope and discuss what they observe! The colorful beads will appear to make some beautiful patterns.
While doing this activity the kids will learn about the concept of reflection and reflective surfaces such as a mirrored sheet!
