How to Attach a Kaleidoscope Lens

Once you have completed making your kaleidoscope, including making the mirror piece and the end lens piece and attaching it all, you'll need to attach an eyepiece lens. The following steps will show you how to make and attach a kaleidoscope eyepiece lens.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Black cardboard
• Scissors
• Small sharp knife
• Pen or pencil
• Hot glue and glue gun

1. Trace the end of the triangle mirror onto a piece of black cardboard. Do this by placing the triangle mirror onto the cardboard after you have assembled the mirror piece and traced the shape.

2. Put your kaleidoscope together. Insert the mirror piece inside the tube and attach the end lens to the kaleidoscope.

3. Lay the open end of the kaleidoscope onto the black cardboard so that the triangle shape is in the very center.

4. Trace around the circle with a pen or pencil. Cut around the shape carefully with your scissors or a small sharp knife.

5. Use the knife to cut out the triangle shape in the very center of the circle.

6. Put hot glue around the open end of the kaleidoscope.

7. Place the black cardboard circle up to the end of the kaleidoscope onto the glue, making sure to fit the triangle shape onto the triangle mirror in an even position. Press the eyepiece lens onto the kaleidoscope it until it is attached securely.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a piece of black cardboard, you can use a regular piece of cardboard or a white piece of cardboard and color it black with a black magic marker.
• Children should not use a knife without adult supervision.