How to Make a Kaleidoscope

“Kaleidoscope" is derived from Greek words meaning "an instrument with which we can see things of beautiful form." The kaleidoscope was rediscovered in 1817 by Sir David Brewster, who published a treatise on it two years later. These instructions are for its simplest form, which consists of three mirrors taped together to form a hollow triangle. Placing these mirrors inside a hollow tube and rotating lets you see changing patterns.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clear plastic
• Cardboard
• Bits of colored translucent glass or plastic (craft beads)
• Glue

The Viewing Tube

1. Cut tubing to desired length and smooth any rough edges.

2. Trim the mirrors so that their length is the same as that of the tubing and their width is less than its diameter. Make a cardboard model of the mirror before cutting the mirror itself to be sure your mirrors will fit in the tube.

3. Arrange the mirrors, reflective sides in, to form an equilateral triangle and wrap duct tape around the outside to hold them together.

4. Insert the mirrors into the tubing. Pack them in place with foam rubber or foam peanuts, if necessary.

5. Make a cardboard disk the same diameter as the tubing and poke a hole in its center. Glue this to one end of the tubing.

The Object Chamber

6. Cut two lenses of clear plastic the same diameter as the tubing.

7. Make a one-inch wide strip of cardboard slightly longer than the circumference of the tubing. Glue the ends together.

8. Glue the cardboard ring to one of the lenses.

9. Place the objects to be viewed on the lens with the ring attached, enough to cover the bottom, but not enough to prevent them from tumbling around after the other lens is glued to the ring.

10. Affix the other lens to the cardboard ring.

Final Assembly and Use

11. Attach the object chamber to the open end of the tubing.

12. Hold the assembled kaleidoscope to the light to view the patterns created by the mirrors.

13. Rotate the kaleidoscope to see the patterns change.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of arranging three mirrors in an equilateral triangle, try three mirrors in a long isosceles triangle, two mirrors with a piece of black cardboard or four mirrors arranged in a square. Each will create different patterns than the equilateral triangle arrangement.
• Instead of making an object chamber, put a magnifying lens on the far end of the tubing to make a teleidoscope, which will let you view patterns created by the reflections of distant images.
• If cutting your own PVC pipe or lenses, wear eye protection such as shop glasses or goggles. Some plastics shops may cut the materials for you.