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Fun DIY Kaleidoscope Kids Craft

This kaleidoscope kids craft activity is fun for the family to work on together. We’re going to show you how to make your own kaleidoscope with aluminum foil, beads, and a paper towel tube.

This one definitely requires adult supervision and assistance if you’re making it with preschoolers.

Crafting is an excellent opportunity to spend quality time together and bond. We have lots of fun craft ideas for kids and even some tips for handling messy craft activities.

My daughter gets really excited when I work on craft projects with her. So grab your supplies and make this a family activity!

Grab your craft supplies and make this kaleidoscope with your kids!
Popular pin for kaleidoscope craft

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

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.

RELATED: Do your kids love doing science experiments at home? Try our Easy Melting Rainbows Science Experiment and Balloon Air Pressure Experiment.

Learn how to make this DIY Kaleidoscope Kids Activity.

DIY Kaleidoscope Kids Craft

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It 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 for a few minutes first.

Kaleidoscope Craft Materials:

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:

Craft supplies needed to make your own kaleidoscope for kids.

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 and cut out plastic circles for this project.

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

Learn how to make a kaleidoscope with kids. Hot glue plastic circle at one end of paper tube.

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

fun kids kaleidoscope project using paper tube and beads.

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.

This homemade kaleidoscope does not twist like a real one, but it will look similar when you are done adding this triangular piece covered in aluminum foil!

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.

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 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!

Did you make this project with your kids or students? We’d love to see it! Take a picture of it, then join our private Facebook group and show us in there.

Grab your craft supplies and make this kaleidoscope with your kids! Crafting together is a great family activity.

Don’t miss our other fun kids crafts:

Printable DIY Kaleidoscope Instructions

Learn how to make this DIY Kaleidoscope Kids Activity.

Homemade Kaleidoscope Craft

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate

Make a homemade DIY Kaleidoscope craft with the kids using a cardboard tube and a few other materials.

Materials

  • 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
  • Marker
  • Washi tape or other decorations (optional)

Tools

  • Hot glue gun
  • Scissors

Instructions

    1. If you are using plain white paper, you can have the kids color and draw on it first.
    2. Squeeze glue all over the scrapbook paper and roll the paper towel tube up in it.
    3. Hold it together for a few seconds to give the glue time to stick. 
    4. Cut any excess paper from the ends.
    5. Trace the end of the paper towel tube on the scrap plastic three times and cut out all three circles.
    6. Hot glue one circle on the bottom end of the paper towel tube.
    7. Drop your beads into the tube. Put enough to almost cover the plastic. Then place the second plastic circle inside the tube.
    8. You will need to use a pencil or marker to push it down to the bottom and loosely cover the beads.
    9. Do not push it snug up against them! If it is too tight, then the beads won't move around between the plastic discs.
    10. Cut three strips of cardboard that are 1 inch wide and almost as long as the tube you are using. 
    11. Cover each strip with foil.
    12. Glue them into a triangle shape and place inside the tube. (See notes below for tips)
    13. This will create the kaleidoscope effect when the kids look inside!
    14. 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.
    15. Let the kids decorate 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!

Notes

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.

*Time estimate for completion may vary

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

We hope you enjoy making this DIY Kaleidoscope Kids Craft with your family.

Collage image of homemade kaleidoscope craft from different angles and supplies used.

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jo ann bauer

Tuesday 21st of June 2022

I'm an experienced crafter and found this project to be difficult. It was hard to get the 2nd piece of plastic in place without it sitting on top of the gems.

Darcy Zalewski

Saturday 25th of June 2022

Thank you for your feedback on this project!

Alyssa

Thursday 23rd of April 2020

I was so excited to do this with my kids, but it was a huge fail. The foil prism inside the tube just looks like a big black spot when you look through. It took so much work to get it all put together and...nothing. To make things worse, the only thing my kids could really help with was coloring the paper for the outside and choosing their beads. I wouldn't recommend this one...

Darcy Zalewski

Monday 27th of April 2020

Thank you for your feedback, Alyssa. I'm sorry you did not enjoy this project. Hopefully some of our other projects (like our coffee filter crafts) are more fun for you and your kids to do together.

Kasey Schwartz

Tuesday 21st of April 2020

This looks fun! And I have all the items at home already! FUN!

Darcy Zalewski

Tuesday 21st of April 2020

Yay! I hope you enjoy making one!

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[…] Looking for a funny art project? Inspire your creativity with this simple, home-made kaleidoscope. With a little support, this is a great project for a special classroom. Does this fine motor function and the students love the sensory input. All instructions are available at: www.darcyandbrian … […]

Spaß DIY Kaleidoskop Kinder Handwerk - Diy And Crafts

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[…] Auf der Suche nach einem lustigen Kunstprojekt? Begeistern Sie die Kreativität mit diesem einfachen, selbst gemachten Kaleidoskop. Mit etwas Unterstützung ist dies ein großartiges Projekt für einen speziellen Schulungsraum. Funktioniert diese Feinmotorik und Schüler lieben den sensorischen Input. Holen Sie sich alle Anweisungen an: www.darcyandbrian … […]

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