While they don’t work exactly like a real one, these toilet paper roll kaleidoscopes are easy to make and so fun to look through. Also, look at my page 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas for more activities.
Kaleidoscopes are optical instruments that create beautiful and symmetrical patterns when viewed through the eyepiece.
Not only are they fun and entertaining but also educational, sparking a child’s creativity and imagination.
Kaleidoscopes work by utilizing mirrors and colorful objects or beads.
When you look through the eyepiece, the mirrors reflect the objects, creating mesmerizing patterns that change as you rotate the kaleidoscope.
Creating a homemade kaleidoscope is a fun and educational activity for children.
You can use simple materials like cardboard tubes, mirrors, and colorful beads or objects.
BOOKS ABOUT PHYSICAL SCIENCE FOR KIDS
Next, look at these physical science books for kids.
10 Books About Physical Science
Physical science varies in topic. It can cover states of matter, forces and motion like push and pull, forms of energy like simple circuits, light and sound to earth and space.
Can you make an ice cube disappear? Put it on a hot sidewalk. It melts into water and then vanishes! The ice cube changes from solid to liquid to gas. This Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out picture book is a fascinating exploration of the three states of matter. This clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom, uses simple, fun diagrams to explain the difference between solids, liquids, and gases. This book also includes a find out more section with experiments designed to encourage further exploration and introduce record keeping.
In Matter: Physical Science for Kids, kids ages 5 to 8 explore the definition of matter and the different states of matter, plus the stuff in our world that isn’t matter, such as sound and light! In this nonfiction picture book, children are introduced to physical science through detailed illustrations paired with a compelling narrative that uses fun language to convey familiar examples of real-world science connections. By recognizing the basic physics concept of matter and identifying the different ways matter appears in real life, kids develop a fundamental understanding of physical science and are impressed with the idea that science is a constant part of our lives and not limited to classrooms and
laboratories
Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters?The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. The Disappearing Spoon masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery.
Jeanne Bendick, through text and pictures, admirably succeeds in bringing to life the ancient Greek mathematician who enriched mathematics and all branches of science. Against the backdrop of Archimedes' life and culture, the author discusses the man's work, his discoveries and the knowledge later based upon it. The simple, often humorous, illustrations and diagrams greatly enhance the text.
Charles Ludwig retells Michael Faraday’s remarkable life story in fictionalized form. Here is the father of the electric motor, the dynamo, the transformer, the generator. Few persons are aware of the brilliant man’s deep Christian convictions and his determination to live by the Sermon on the Mount. For ages 12 to 15.
Book about electricity for children.
Did you know that energy comes from the food you eat? From the sun and wind? From fuel and heat? You get energy every time you eat. You transfer energy to other things every time you play baseball.
Have you ever wondered why a prism turns ordinary sunlight into a rainbow? Isaac Newton knew why. How can a magnet be used to generate electricity? Michael Faraday could have told you. Can you explain how a toaster toasts bread? In this book, author Paul Fleisher answers these and many more questions as he looks at the laws that describe how waves behave. Through simple experiments, detailed illustrations and concepts that are easy to understand, readers are introduced to the basic principles of light, electricity and magnetism in a fun, exciting way.
Have you ever wondered why a 10-tonne boat floats but a tiny pebble sinks? Archimedes knew why. How does a basketball or tennis ball bounce? Robert Boyle could have described how! Can you explain why a hot-air balloon rises but a balloon you blow up drops to the ground? To answer these questions and many more, author Paul Fleisher explains the laws that define how and why liquids and gases behave the way they do. Through simple experiments, detailed illustrations and concepts that are easy to understand, readers are introduced to the basic principles of fluid mechanics in a fun, exciting way.
Explains the concepts of simple and complex machines and mechanical advantage, and describes how wheels, including gears and ball bearings, work
Next. although this diy toilet paper roll kaleidoscope is a fun creative there are educational benefits.
5 BENEFITS OF A DIY KALEIDOSCOPE
So why should you spend your time making a DIY toilet paper roll kaleidoscope with your kids? Here are 5 reasons why I think it’s a great idea.
- Science Exploration: Kaleidoscopes offer a glimpse into the principles of reflection and symmetry, sparking an interest in science and physics.
- Creativity and Imagination: Kaleidoscopes encourage children to explore their creativity and imagination as they create and observe ever-changing patterns.
- Color Recognition: The vibrant colors in kaleidoscopes help younger children learn about different colors and their combinations.
- Fine Motor Skills: Manipulating and rotating the kaleidoscope helps develop fine motor skills.
- Sensory Stimulation: The combination of visual and tactile stimulation provided by kaleidoscopes can be calming for children.
Next, look at more science fun using discarded toilet paper rolls
10 MORE AMAZING SCIENCE TOILET PAPER ROLL ACTIVITIES
- Get buzzing and learn How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity for a wonderful activity to learn about bees, hives, and honey.
- Try some of these Simple Toilet Paper Absorbency Experiments for Kids to explore absorbency.
- Get crafty but also introduce a simple science concept with the Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars Craft for Cloud Observation.
- Your child can explore engineering, gravity, friction, cause and affect, as well as so much more when you learn How to Make a Cardboard Marble Run.
- As you learn about space with your preschooler, make a Toilet Paper Roll Satellite and talk about what it does.
- Here is a 4 Weeks Free Galileo Unit Study & How to Make a Telescope Craft that uses either toilet paper rolls or a paper towel roll.
- A great way to introduce hypotheses, variables, and outcomes is with Kids Science! Toilet Paper Comparisons.
- Another amazing way to explore light sources and rainbows is with a Homemade Spectroscope.
- The DIY Phone Speaker for Kids uses paper rolls to teach sound waves and amplification.
- Take a look at The Best of Shark Science: Discover Buoyancy with a toilet paper roll and a few pennies.
Who knew there were so many neat science activities that you could do with a toilet paper roll and a few other supplies?
Finally, look at how to make a fun kaleidoscope.
HOW TO MAKE TOILET PAPER ROLL KALEIDOSCOPES
You will need:
- TP or paper towel roll, empty
- Clear beads, glitter
- Hot glue gun/sticks
- Reflective paper
- Clear plastic packaging
First, let your child decorate the outside of the empty roll with markers, stickers, cardstock or washi tape.
Trace the end of the toilet paper roll 3 times on clear plastic, you want to use something sturdy and completely transparent like the plastic window on toys or food.
Add a little hot glue to one end of the roll and carefully set it down onto the first plastic circle, trim as needed.
You may want to let the glue cool for 15-20 seconds so that it doesn’t melt the plastic.
Add clear beads and glitter.
You don’t want to fill it up completely so that it can move around.
Using translucent beads helps to catch the light and make the kaleidoscope even better but you can include some glitter and other beads for added color and dimension.
Slide a second plastic circle that you cut out into the tube to cover the beads loosely.
Trace the end of the roll on the back side of your metallic paper.
I found an entire pack at Dollar Tree that worked perfectly but I have also linked some as well.
Now you are going to fold just inside the circle you made inward on both sides to create a triangular shape.
Slip inside the tube, mark and measure so that it sits all the way inside while loosely holding the beads and lens in place. Trim to size with scissors.
Tape the open edge together.
Place the triangle back inside the roll and glue the final plastic circle on top to hold everything in place.
The final result is this amazing tumbling, ever changing, multiplied window!
