How to make the Kaleidoscope

What you need:
Mirror paper (one A4 sheet is more than enough)
Clear plastic sheet (e.g. transparancy used in a photocopier)
Cardboard 300gsm, white
Cardboard 230gsm A4 sheet, choose any colour
Small piece of tracing paper (grease-proof paper works too)
Scissors (get help from a grown-up when using scissors)
Sticky tape

Making the mirror

• Cut three strips of mirror paper 25mm x 150mm and carefully stick each on onto a cardboard strip the same size, try to make it as flat as possible.
• Line cardboard strips next to each other mirror-side down as shown in the picture, allow a small space about 2mm (or this: || ) between each strip, then use sticky tape to join them as shown in the picture.
• Fold strips into a triangle and stick with tape.

Making the tube

• Cut out a rectangle approx. 200mm x 150mm, roll into a tube shape and stick the ends together.
• Place mirrors inside tube

Making the Eye Piece

• Cut out eye-piece (use hole punch to make central hole) and place over one end of tube, stick in place.

Making the Top Piece

• Cut out top-piece, carefully cut out shaded shapes.
• Stick the square of tracing paper over hole on the non-printed side.
• Use a ruler to fold along dotted lines, stick together to make a cube.
• Place cube over top end of tube.

Making patterns

• Use coloured markers to make patterns on the clear plastic strip
• Slide coloured, clear strip through spaces in the cube (you can add some strips of card to each end to prevent the strip from slipping all the way through).

You have now completed your kaleidoscope!
[print this page in landscape without margins then copy (and enlarge if you like) onto stiff card]