DIY Kaleidoscope Activity for Kids

Creating a kaleidoscope is a fun and engaging activity that combines creativity with science, perfect for a rainy afternoon at home or a school project. You will need some simple materials: a cardboard tube (like the ones from kitchen rolls), some reflective foil or shiny paper, transparent plastic, and colourful beads or small items to create your patterns.

Begin by cutting the cardboard tube to your desired length. Then, take a piece of reflective foil and shape it into a triangle, ensuring it fits snugly inside the tube. This will act as the reflective surface that creates the kaleidoscope effect. Next, seal one end of the tube with a piece of transparent plastic, using tape to secure it firmly.

Now comes the fun part! Fill the open end with your chosen colourful beads and secure it with a second piece of plastic. When you look through the tube and rotate it, the reflections from the beads against the foil will create stunning, ever-changing patterns.

Encourage the kids to decorate the outside of the tube with paints, stickers, or washi tape to make their kaleidoscope truly unique. Once complete, gather everyone to share their kaleidoscopes and explore the different patterns created by each one. This hands-on project not only sparks creativity but also introduces children to concepts of reflection and symmetry in a delightful way!