Lovely handmade crafts

[Craft] Sparkling! A Collection of Handmade Kaleidoscope Ideas

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Peek into it and you’ll see a sparkling, mysterious scene; twist it and the patterns keep changing…

Have you ever played with a kaleidoscope?

Although it’s a toy that has long been loved in Japan, its origins are in Scotland.

Dr.

David Brewster, who studied light, created the world’s first kaleidoscope.

It was imported to Japan during the Edo period and then spread throughout the country.

This article rounds up handmade kaleidoscope ideas!

They’re perfect for craft time at home.

[Crafts] Sparkling! Handmade Kaleidoscope Idea Collection (1–10)

origami kaleidoscope

[Origami] How to Fold a Spinning Kaleidoscope | Origami How to Make a Kaleidoscope Paper Craft | Playable Craft | Fireworks | Magic Circle Paper Folding

origami kaleidoscope

Here’s an idea for making a kaleidoscope out of origami.

You only need to make eight identical parts and assemble them, so I think children in elementary school and up can give it a try.

First, crease the paper with a cross and an X, then do a “zabuton fold” (fold all four corners to the center).

Open the paper, and fold the four corners inward again along the creases made by the zabuton fold.

Next, fold each of the four new edges along the crease lines.

Flip the paper over, do another zabuton fold, then flip it over once more.

Open the triangular sections and collapse them so that heart shapes appear on both sides.

That completes one part, so please make eight of the same piece.

To connect them, open one of the hearts into a diamond shape, insert another part opened the same way into it, and keep linking them into a ring.

Once everything is connected, your kaleidoscope is complete.

Try spinning it and have fun!

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Kaleidoscope with drawing paper and plastic board

[How to Make a Kaleidoscope] A Handmade Kaleidoscope Using Construction Paper and Plastic Sheets — A 100-Yen Store Craft

Kaleidoscope with drawing paper and plastic board

Here’s an idea for making a kaleidoscope using drawing paper and plastic sheets.

The materials are drawing paper, black construction paper, origami paper, plastic sheets, a clear case, and beads.

First, fold the plastic sheet into a triangular prism and secure it.

Attach it to the left edge of a square piece of black construction paper.

Next, connect a rectangular piece of drawing paper—about 1 cm taller than the black paper—to the side of the black paper opposite the plastic sheet, then wrap it around to encase the plastic sheet and glue it in place.

Fit a clear case filled with beads into the opening at the top, and finish by sticking origami paper around the tube.

You can either fix the clear case in place or leave it loose so you can rotate it for extra fun.

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Oil kaleidoscope

[Kaleidoscope] Simple and pretty♪ I made an oil kaleidoscope using 100-yen store items [Seria]

Oil kaleidoscope

Let’s make a kaleidoscope using an oil bottle.

Create the oil bottle by filling a small clear bottle—like the ones sold at 100-yen shops—with sequins, small beads, glycerin, and purified water.

Once the oil bottle is ready, let’s make the body.

Remove the cap from an empty plastic bottle and cut out the bottom.

Then make a hole on the lower side so the oil bottle can be set in horizontally.

Make a triangular prism from mirror sheet, wrap bubble wrap around the outside, and insert it into the plastic bottle.

Finally, set the oil bottle in place and you’re done! Enjoy the sparkling world!

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Kaleidoscope with microplastics

[Easy][Craft] Perfect for time at home! Handmade kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope with microplastics

Let’s make a kaleidoscope using microplastics! You’ll need: microplastics, toilet paper tubes, thick paper (cardstock), aluminum tape, black construction paper, clear and translucent plastic sheets, and sponge.

Preparation: cut one toilet paper tube to 1 cm width; cut the thick paper into long strips, cover them with aluminum tape, and assemble them into a triangle with the aluminum-taped sides facing inward.

Insert the triangular thick-paper prism into the larger tube and wedge sponge into the gaps so it doesn’t move.

Cover one end with the clear plastic.

Cover the smaller tube with the translucent plastic, add the microplastics inside, then fit it onto the larger tube and glue in place.

Finally, on the opposite end of the larger tube, attach a circular piece of black construction paper with a peephole.

You’re done! Decorating the outside with origami paper or similar materials will make it extra cute!

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Kaleidoscope Kit

How to Make the Tsukurou Series “Kaleidoscope Kit”

Kaleidoscope Kit

Kaleidoscopes are a classic choice for summer vacation crafts.

Because of that, a variety of craft kits are available! Kaleidoscopes have a simple structure and you can get the materials at 100-yen shops, but if you’re short on time or don’t want to use scissors or a utility knife, why not try making one with one of these kits? The parts are pre-cut to the required sizes, so all you have to do is assemble them, which reduces the chance of mistakes.

There are also kits featuring characters kids love, so be sure to look for one that suits your taste.

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