Kaleidoscope Kids

I have pretty much been crappy mom since I started working in July. We don't do fun things anymore and I have felt so much guilt for this. Well, I got up today and decided we are going to make a Kaleidoscope today. No, I don't know why I pick this but heck, I picked it and we are doing it. We headed to the craft store, got the supplies, and came home, went on a walk, ate lunch, and then we did the kaleidoscope. It was a fun project.

Here is what you will need.

scissors
glue
hole punch
paper towel roll or toilet paper roll
rubber band
4x4 black construction paper
wrapping paper or scrape book paper
plastic cover (report cover works)
4x4 plastic (plastic wrap)
4x4 wax paper
beads, glittering things, gems, sequins, (smaller is better)

1. Draw an 8-by-4-inch (paper towel roll, smaller for toilet paper) rectangle on the report cover. Cut it out. Draw three lines across the rectangle as shown.
2. Fold the plastic along the lines to form a triangular shape. The quarter-inch strip goes on the outside. Tape the strip along the edge so it stays closed.
3. Slide the plastic triangle into the paper towel roll.
4. Turn the paper towel tube on one end. Trace a circle around it on the construction paper. Poke a hole through the center of the circle and tape it over one end of the tube.
5. Place a square of plastic wrap on the other end of the tube. Press down to create a pouch in the end of the plastic triangle. Put some beads, sequins, and confetti in the pouch.
6. Place a square of waxed paper over the pouch. Stretch the rubber band over both the waxed paper and the plastic wrap. Be sure it’s on tight so nothing spills out!
Trim the corners of the squares. Decorate the outside of the paper towel roll with stickers or wrapping paper.
7. Hold the tube up to one eye and look through it. Turn it and watch your own light show!

A look inside Ellie's Kaleidoscope

It was nice to do something with the kids and not feel like such a slug of a mom. The kids had a great time. JJ was a little un-impressed with the project, but he still enjoyed it. He was more excited about reading "Harry Potter Deadly Hallows", and using his quill that he made. Emma had a lot of fun and was excited with all the pretty things she put inside it. Ellie just wanted to make a mess (reminded me of why I don't like crafts anymore) but we took it with a grain of salt and enjoyed the mess.

All in all it was fun had by all. Now on to school, and schedules, and the kids gone all day. I like having them home.