Supplies:‍

• Containers
• Trays (one for each child)
• 1 paper towel roll (8 inches long) 
• Transparent paper (e.g. laminating sheets or plastic report covers)
• Black construction paper 
• Clear tape
• Clear glue
• Rubber bands
• Black permanent marker (big kids only)
• Black pencil
• Kids scissors
• Craft knife or box cutter (Counselors only)
• Ruler
• Paint & brushes
• Construction tape
• Glitter, tissue confetti, sequins, etc.
• Stickers and/or gems

Prep/ Set Up Details:

1. Highly Recommended: Complete step 1 (cutting tube slits), step 3 (creating the triangular prism) and step 4 (cutting transparent paper) ahead of time for all children
2. Organize all shared supplies in containers (e.g., paper, markers, gems, adhesives, etc.)‍
3. Prepare a few relevant fun facts or questions to enrich the activity discussion!
   1. Did you know that the word “kaleidoscope” derives from the Greek words "kalos" (beautiful), "eido" (form) and "skopein" (to view)?
   2. Usually, kaleidoscopes are made with mirrors inside a tube, but we will use clear paper to achieve a similar reflective effect!
4. Preparing for Younger Children (ages 3-6)
   1. Pre-cut tube slits and all transparent sheet pieces
   2. Opt for less messy options (e.g. tissue confetti rather than glitter)
5. Preparing for Older Children (ages 7+)
   1. Allow them to measure, cut most things themselves
   2. Consider more sophisticated options (e.g. glitter, etc.)

Activity Instructions:

Counselor(s) prep (30 minutes before)

Doors open (5 minutes before)

Gather (right on time)

• When all children are seated, welcome everyone!
• Introduce yourself and any other Counselors assisting the activity
• Give children a brief overview of what to expect and show children a completed “demo” or what the final product of this craft can look like
• Briefly review the tools they’ll be using and highlight any tools/ techniques that require either (1) special care or (2) direct Counselor intervention
  • E.g. “Scissor edges can be sharp, so take care to always grab them by their handles and set them down gently every time!”

Icebreaker (5 minutes)

• We’re going to play "Nice to Meet Ya!"
• Instruct all children and Counselors to sit in a circle
• Go around the circle having each participant tell everyone their name and their favorite food
• Counselors can go first to set an example for children 

‍Craft (25 minutes)

1. Cut two slits about a half-inch away from one end of your paper tube - the slits should remain connected on both sides
   
2. Create triangular prism
   1. Using a black marker, measure and trace a 4.5 x 8 inch rectangle onto a sheet of transparent paper
   2. Draw dotted lines along the length of your rectangle, at 1.5” increments - you want your rectangle divided into three evenly-spaced strips
   3. Carefully cut out the solid rectangle
   4. Use a craft knife or box cutter to carefully score (not cut) along the dotted lines
   5. Fold along those lines and tape to create a triangular prism
      
3. Create your color slide
   1. Cut two strips of transparent paper (1.5 x 5 inches)
   2. Choose small colorful items (you can use glitter, sequins, tissue confetti, etc.)
   3. Glue these colorful items between the two transparent strips
      
4. Decorate the roll with paint or colorful tape!
   1. If using paint - let it dry before continuing
   2. If using tape - make sure to trim away any excess to clear the slits you created

5. Create your eyehole (the opening that you’ll look through!)
   1. Turn the paper towel tube on one end, standing straight up. 
   2. Trace a circle around the bottom on black construction paper. 
   3. Cut the circle out and poke a hole through the center of the circle, making it large enough so you can see through it. 
   4. Glue/tape the circle over the end of the tube (opposite of the side with slits)

6. Assemble your kaleidoscope
   1. Roll up one sheet of black construction paper and place it into the paper roll
   2. Insert the triangular prism inside the construction paper
   3. Insert the color slide through the slits you cut out earlier

7. Add extra sparkle with gems
   
8. Peek inside and watch the colors play!

Play/Perform (10 minutes)

• Test out different ways you can see the shapes and colors in your kaleidoscope. How does it change with lots of light? Different backgrounds? A little twist? 
• Give each child a sheet of white card stock and lots of colorful markers. Encourage them to draw what they can see in their kaleidoscope.
• Pretend you are pirates sailing the great unknown! What do you see? Where are you going? What will you try to find when you get there?

‍Wrap-Up/ Goodbyes (5 minutes)

‍Reset/ Clean-Up (After - 10 minutes)