Children love to watch and spot patterns in simple pictures and objects. Here's an activity that gives your preschooler the chance to do just that by creating a tubescope. Similar to the kaleidoscope but much easier to make, as iT doesn’t involve any moving parts. The tubescope is a great way for your preschooler to experiment with colors and shapes while creating something beautiful for the whole family to enjoy!
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What You Need:
- Scrap paper
- Pencil
- Cardboard tube
- Waxed paper
- Scraps of colored tissue paper
- White glue thinned with water
- Paintbrush
- Two rubber bands
- Plastic wrap
What You Do:
- Help your child decide what design she wants to make. Because this is a stained-glass or mosaic-style project, explain that a picture with a simple shape will be easier to make. A flower, a heart or a star will all work well.
- Trace the cardboard tube on a piece of scrap paper so that your child knows how big to make her artwork.
- Have her tear or cut small pieces of the tissue paper and lay them out to create her design within this circle.
- Cut a piece of waxed paper that is approximately 2 inches larger than the cardboard tube. Use the pencil to lightly trace the tube in the centre of the waxed paper. Note: The pencil line won’t show but it will leave a visible etched line.
- Brush a thin layer of the glue mixture onto the waxed paper.
- Help your child transfer her masterpiece onto this gluey paper.
- Allow to dry overnight.
- When the glue is completely dry, rubber band the artwork over the end of the tube. Next, rubber band a piece of plastic wrap over the waxed paper to protect it from moisture and punctures.
- Hold it up to the light and let the show begin!
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