How to Make Glass Triangles for Kaleidoscopes

Making a kaleidoscope is a great way to teach kids about color, light and shapes. But before you can show them the fantastic colors and images inside, you'll must construct the mirrors that make it all work.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Glass
• Glass cutter
• Glass cleaner
• Ice pop sticks
• Tape

1. Cut a mirror or glass that's been painted on one side into three long, rectangular pieces. The size you select should be the same length as the kaleidoscope tube.

2. Clean your three glass rectangles with a piece of cloth and glass cleaner. Make sure there aren't any fingerprints on the glass.

3. Position the pieces of glass into an equilateral triangle. They should form a long log with the pieces making a triangular hole at each end. Make sure the glass tunnel is stable.

4. Glue ice pop sticks to the sides of each glass piece if you want to give your kaleidoscope glass extra stability.

5. Tape the seams of your glass triangle, and then wrap tape around each end and the center to secure it. You can glue the glass pieces together if tape is not available.

Tips & Warnings

• Secure your kaleidoscope glass with padding so that it doesn't break if there's an accident. You can use foam packing peanuts or pipe insulation in between the glass and the kaleidoscope tube.