[Craft] Sparkling! A Collection of Handmade Kaleidoscope Ideas
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.
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[Craft] Sparkling! Handmade Kaleidoscope Idea Collection (11–20)
Cubic Kaleidoscope
When you think of a kaleidoscope, you probably picture a tube, but here’s an idea for making a kaleidoscope as a cube.
The materials are six square acrylic mirrors and vinyl tape.
Scratch patterns into the backs of the mirrors with a utility knife and trace over them with a pen.
For the pattern, put evenly spaced marks along two adjacent edges and draw lines connecting the marks.
Apply patterns to three of the six mirrors.
When assembled into a cube, arrange them so that a single image appears at a corner.
Cut off one corner from each of the remaining three mirrors, bring the cut-off corners together at the center, and tape them in place.
Finally, attach the patterned mirrors and assemble the cube to finish.
The trimmed corner forms a peephole.
Light enters through the scratched areas, and when you look in, you’ll see a beautiful pattern!
Kaleidoscope with 100-yen shop items
Here’s a kaleidoscope idea you can make with items from a 100-yen shop.
The materials are mirror sheets, black construction paper, a clear case, beads, laundry starch (liquid glue), and a toilet paper roll core.
First, cut three rectangles of the same size from the mirror sheet and tape them together into a triangular prism with the mirror sides facing inward.
Insert this into the toilet paper roll core and secure it.
Put beads, laundry starch, and water into the clear case, seal it tightly, then attach it to cover one end of the toilet paper roll.
On the opposite end, attach a piece of black construction paper with a peep hole.
Finally, decorate with origami paper or stickers as you like, and you’re done!
Giant kaleidoscope
Here’s a super simple kaleidoscope idea you can make just by connecting car interior mirrors from a 100-yen shop into a triangle with vinyl tape.
Typical kaleidoscopes have an object chamber, but this one is intentionally made without one.
So what do you look at? The scenery around you.
Trust me—make this kaleidoscope and take a peek.
The surroundings reflect in the mirrors and appear just like a kaleidoscope! It’s really easy and fun, so give it a try!
Spinning Kaleidoscope
Many kaleidoscopes are the type you view by rotating the body, but this “Kurukuru Kaleidoscope” is one you watch by turning a glass case containing the objects with your hand.
As you turn it, the objects move too, letting you enjoy a variety of shapes and motions.
What’s shown here is a DIY kit, but it’s essentially just mirrors joined into a triangle with a mirror holder attached and a glass case fixed to it, so once you understand the structure, you could probably make one from scrap materials.
Give this different kind of kaleidoscope a try!
polarized kaleidoscope
Here’s an idea for a kaleidoscope using polarizing film.
You’ll need two pieces of polarizing film, two tubes such as plastic wrap or toilet paper cores, and some thick paper (cardstock).
Cut the polarizing films into circles the same size as the tube openings, and attach one film to each tube to cover the hole.
When attaching, use clear tape in a cross shape to secure it.
Seal the opposite openings with tape in a cross as well.
Stack the two tubes together and wrap thick paper around the outside—done! When you twist the front tube, changes in light make it look like a kaleidoscope.