Friday, January 08, 2010

kaleidoscopes!


We love finding fun kits. We visit museum stores often, and always find some interesting robot, craft, kit or puzzle to make. One museum store stocking stuffer this year was a kaleidoscope kit. We waited for the perfect day to make them - and during our big snowstorm yesterday we felt the time was right!


The boys decorated tubes, taped and inserted triangular mirrors, added cups and secured their scopes.


They then filled them with some of the items from the kits...crystals, rocks, flower petals, marbles.


They were really cool to look through - the bright white snow outside was a great backdrop to hold up to the window and see their creations.


After a bit, the boys thought about what we might have around the house that would make even MORE colorful/beautiful/interesting patterns. Oh, we have a lot of things to try - coins, acorn tops, geode pieces, playmobil parts - you name it, they tried it! In the end, of course, they found that we have plenty of the perfect items to make hyper-colorful designs...


...LEGO! They filled their scopes with the little translucent colorful crystals, tips, bits and circles. Perfect!

We of course then had to find out more about kaleidoscopes, mirrors, fractals...all good stuff for a snowy winter day.


Note: We used a kit, but the construction was pretty simple and you could easily make one with materials at home.

8 comments:

  1. Happy Holidays to your family Denise!

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  2. Wow! What a neat kit! Those first four photos are really neat too. That looks like a great way to spend a snowy day.

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  3. Very cool kit. My daughter would love to make one of those.
    Blessings
    Diane

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  4. Heh, I had a little laugh when I saw the photo of your older son with the kaleidescope.

    The first thing that came to mind was a quote that Paige taught me from (not sure I'm getting this right, but) "Sheep in the Big City". The scientist said, "I'm not a mad scientist. I'm an angry, an ANGRY SCIENTIST."

    G(?) looks like he falls into the former category. :) You don't have mad scientists, you have crazy, CRAZY SCIENTISTS!

    Sorry, this is pre-coffee and I'm a little wonky.

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  5. Those kaleidoscopes look great..so nice that they can use various things around the home and mix it up. I love to find kits too and when I find them at the thrift store, I do a happy dance!

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  6. That does sound look like a fun activity for a snowy day. They're very pretty.

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  7. ooooooh... translucent legos!
    Brilliant!!
    We don't have those, but we have light bright thingies...

    Pegs, Stephanie... the word is Pegs.

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  8. Beautiful photos! I love the kaleidescopes, my kids would love making them. Putting the lego pieces in is a great idea. Do I spot Power Minor crystals in there :)

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