Ever looked through a kaleidoscope? Beautiful huh? The sun's rays glow on the colorful beads and glass and reflect in the mirror creating a beautiful pattern that you can see from the inside. If you want to make your own kaleidoscope, there are several options – one that is easy, one that requires a little more skill – listed below.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Easy Kaleidoscope
Step 1. Draw a 20 by 10 cm rectangle on a clear plastic cover
Cut using scissors. Draw three horizontal lines stretching in a rectangle, dividing it into three 1. pieces 1⁄4 inch (3.2 cm) and one measuring 1⁄4 inches (0.6cm).
Step 2. Fold the plastic along the lines to make a triangular shape
0.6 cm part of the strip remains on the outside. Tape the edges of the strips so the triangles don't deform.
Step 3. Slide the plastic triangle into the tube in the center of the paper towel and trace the circle onto the black cardboard
Cut a circle and tape around the cardboard tube. Make a hole through the center of the circle using scissors or a sharp pencil.
Step 4. Cut the plastic wrap into a square with a side of 10 cm
Place a square of plastic wrap at the end of the tube. Use your fingers to push it into the plastic triangle, forming a small bag.
Step 5. Fill the pouch with beads, glitter beads, and confetti (colored strips of paper)
Try using a variety of colors and shapes. To seal it, place 10 cm of wax paper over the pouch and around the cardboard tube. Tie wax paper and plastic wrap with rubber bands. Make sure it's securely fastened so nothing spills out!
Step 6. Trim the corners of the square
This will make the kaleidoscope look neater. You can replace the rubber band with masking tape if you wish.
Step 7. Decorate the outside of the cardboard tube with stickers or wrapping paper
Or use colored markers, crayons and glitter pens to draw any decorations of your choice.
Step 8. Place the tube in front of one eye and look through it
The plastic tube inside the kaleidoscope will reflect off the confetti and beads, creating beautiful colorful patterns and designs. Turn the tube slowly so that the contents of the bag move and the pattern changes.
Method 2 of 2: A World View Kaleidoscope
Step 1. Prepare the mirror
Cut a piece of acrylic mirror into three rectangles measuring 20 cm by 2.9 cm using a table saw with a carbide blade tip. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the sawdust on the mirror.
Step 2. Prepare the PVC pipe
Cut the white PVC pipe with a diameter of 3.8 cm and a length of 20 cm using a cutting saw with a carbide-tipped wooden blade. Clean the jar to remove any dirt or debris.
Step 3. Prepare the end cap
Drill a 1 cm hole in the 3.8 cm diameter PVC end cap. Wash around the hole to remove any debris.
Step 4. Prepare the foam strip
Cut a strip of self-adhesive foam at the back into 2.5 cm long strips. You need three pieces for a kaleidoscope.
Step 5. Prepare the foam rope
Take a piece of foam rope 1.25 cm in diameter. Cut it into 2.5cm pieces. You will need three pieces for this kaleidoscope.
Step 6. Glue the petri dish to the end of the PVC tube
Use a petri dish measuring 60 mm by 15 mm and made of plastic. Use PVC cement to glue the petri dish to the tube, being careful not to get any cement on the petri dish.
You can leave the clear glass to create a "worldview" kaleidoscope or you can create a colored kaleidoscope by drawing the inside of the petri dish with permanent marker before gluing it to the PVC tube
Step 7. Arrange the mirrors
Gather the three mirrors, long sides together and slowly fold them into a triangle with the glossy side facing in. Make sure you've removed the mirror's protective film when you. Tape the mirror neatly with transparent tape, so that the edges of the three pieces of glass form an equilateral triangle.
Step 8. Glue the foam strip to the mirror
Remove the adhesive covering behind the three pieces of foam and glue one to each side of the mirror, approximately 2.5 cm from the end of the mirror.
Step 9. Place the mirror inside the PVC tube
Gently insert the mirror into the PVC tube, the side with the foam going in first. You may need to squeeze the foam to get it into position. Insert the three foam straps in the space between the mirror and the tube.
Step 10. Close
Put the PVC cap on the end of the PVC tube, twist it tight. Your kaleidoscope is now ready, enjoy the view!
Tips
Put bright, sparkling beads in your kaleidoscope, don't use boring colors
Warning
- Don't look at bright light with a kaleidoscope especially the hot sun, you can damage your own eyes.
- When making a kaleidoscope with a worldview, the machines needed to prepare the materials must be operated by someone experienced. Don't try to operate a machine you don't know how to use.
