Fun DIY Kaleidoscope Craft

This DIY kaleidoscope craft is fun to work on together when you need craft ideas for kids that you can do as a family. We’re going to show you how to make a kaleidoscope without mirrors using aluminum foil, beads, and a paper towel tube.

This project is a great conversation starter to discuss various science and art concepts. For example, you can talk about colors, patterns, light reflection, and even how the eye works.

My kids love when I work on craft projects with them. So grab your supplies and make this a family activity!

Although this homemade kids kaleidoscope activity doesn’t function exactly like the real thing, it is easy to make and will look similar when viewing it.

Get even more family craft and activity ideas in our FREE ebook available at the end of this post.

More Paper Roll Crafts for Kids

I don’t know about you, but I have an abundance of paper tubes. I keep setting them aside for some of these superhero activities, but it’s like they multiply when I’m not looking!

• Disney Frozen Inspired Paper Roll Bracelet Craft
• Cardboard Castles by Fun-A-Day
• Easy Homemade Catnip Toys

What Is a Kaleidoscope?

So what exactly is a kaleidoscope and what is a kaleidoscope used for? It is an optical toy that kids can play with to create gorgeous patterns. This can help children learn about colors and shapes.

Besides entertainment purposes, kaleidoscopes can also be viewed for relaxation. They can be used to inspire creativity for artists and fashion designers too.

How Does a Kaleidoscope Work?

A kaleidoscope works by reflecting objects multiple times. Mirrors inside (usually in a triangle shape) reflect pieces of colored beads or glass to create repeating symmetrical patterns.

As you turn the kaleidoscope, it moves the objects inside which changes the pattern reflections. You can learn more about the science of kaleidoscopes at Britannica.

This homemade kaleidoscope craft project does not twist the same as a real one once completed, but it will look similar when you are looking inside, even with using foil instead of mirrors.

How to Make a Kaleidoscope for Science Project

Our craft project is like an improvised kaleidoscope, a craft project rather than a replica, that uses aluminum foil instead of mirrors. To make one for a science activity, you would need mirrors in order to more accurately observe how the mirrors reflect the colored beads.

However, you could still make our homemade kaleidoscope craft while discussing the science behind what you see in a kaleidoscope. You could also put together a poster board presentation with kaleidoscope facts.

More Science Projects for Kids

• Our Melting Rainbows Baking Soda Experiment is an excellent intro to chemistry for preschoolers. They will have lots of fun with this!
• Another cool project is a homemade spectroscope. It is similar to a kaleidoscope but it splits light up into different wavelengths (also known as light refraction). Learn how to make one at Hess UnAcademy.
• Want a really cool science demonstration? Show your kids our Balloon Air Pressure experiment. It’s an engaging way to both show and teach children about air pressure.
• This skeleton craft from my friend Monique at Living Life and Learning is a fun hands-on way to teach kids about the human skeleton.
• Get even more ideas with our printable 30 day science activity calendar!

Homemade Kaleidoscope Craft Materials

This is not the type of activity I can set up for my kids to do while I work on something else, though you could keep them busy decorating the paper towel tube for a few minutes first.

Our step by step directions are using an empty paper towel roll; however, you could also make a diy kaleidoscope using empty toilet paper rubes or even an empty Pringles can.

If you use a chip can, just make sure to clean out the inside and remove the bottom end first. For making the reflective section, you will need to adjust the length based on the size of the cardboard tube you are using.

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• Paper towel tube
• 12 x 12 card stock or scrapbook paper
• Thin clear plastic (can be scrap from packaging)
• Colorful translucent beads
• Cardboard
• Aluminum foil
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Marker
• Washi tape or other decorations (optional)

If you don’t have these craft supplies on hand, this kaleidoscope making kit looks pretty good too.

How to Make a Homemade Kaleidoscope Instructions:

Start by gathering up all of your supplies. If you are using plain white paper, you can have the kids color and draw on it first.

Squeeze glue all over the scrapbook paper and roll the paper towel tube up in it. Hold it together for a few seconds to give the glue time to stick. Cut any excess paper from the ends.

Trace the end of the paper towel tube on the scrap plastic three times and cut out all three circles.

Hot glue one circle on the bottom end of the paper towel tube.

Drop your beads into the tube. Put enough to almost cover the plastic. Then place the second plastic circle inside the tube.

You will need to use a pencil or marker to push it down to the bottom and loosely cover the beads.

Do not push it snug up against them! If it is too tight, then the beads won’t move around between the plastic discs.

Cut three strips of cardboard that are 1 inch wide and almost as long as the tube you are using. 

Cover each strip with foil and glue them into a triangle shape and place inside the tube.

This will create the kaleidoscope effect when the kids look inside!

Note: The triangle pieces need to be almost as long as the tube. I’d say just a little shorter to make sure the end cover goes on right.

Then glue the three 1″ pieces together into a triangle and slide into the tube. The triangle piece should be pretty snug between the plastic ends.

I would slide the triangle in then place the 3rd piece of plastic on the end (without gluing yet) to check the length.

If the triangle part is too long, cut more off the end. If it seems too loose inside, you could place glue on one end, sticking it to the plastic.

Almost done! Now, glue the last plastic circle on the open end of the paper towel tube. This will be the end they look through.

Let the kids decorate the outside of the paper towel roll with washi tape, stickers, or color on it if they didn’t already.

Once they are done, hold your homemade kaleidoscope up to the light and turn to view!

We hope you enjoy making this DIY kaleidoscope with your family. Crafting is an excellent opportunity to spend quality time together and bond. Plus, hands-on learning opportunities are so valuable for kids. 

Activities like this allow you and your child to get creative, work together, and talk.