DIY: Periscope | Tinkerer Box Blog

DIYs » Stem Activities » Engaging Engineering Building » Age 6 - 8 » Periscope

Periscope

Stem Activities

Ages: 6-8

Less than 1 hour

Grownup needed

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Mirrors are amazing! They reflect light and create clear images. A periscope comes in handy when you want to look around corners or observe objects from a higher viewpoint than usual. You can make one using simple materials like cardboard and mirrors.

Materials Needed

40cm x 28cm cardboard
Two pieces of 20cm x 28cm cardboard
Two 7cm x 5cm mirrors
Tape
Glue
Paint
Paintbrush
Paint palette
Ruler
Pencil
Scissors

An assortment of craft supplies lies neatly arranged on a light wood-grain table. Two pieces of brown cardboard are at the top, followed by a ruler, two small mirrored tiles, a white flower-shaped paint palette, a roll of orange tape, three small tubes of adhesive, a bottle of white glue, a pencil, a paintbrush, and a pair of scissors. The items are laid out in a flat lay style, ready for use in a craft project.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Take the 40cm x 28cm cardboard and divide the shorter side into four 7 cm sections, marking guidelines.

Two hands are shown measuring and marking a piece of cardboard. One hand holds a clear plastic ruler against the bottom edge of the cardboard, while the other hand uses a pencil to draw a line along the ruler. The cardboard rests on a light wood-grain table. Three 7cm markings are visible along the bottom edge, indicating measurements for cutting or folding.

Step 2

Draw 7 cm squares in the 2nd and 4th sections as shown.

A piece of brown cardboard lies on a light wood-grain table. Two squares, measuring 7cm x 7cm each, are outlined on the cardboard. One square is located in the bottom left corner, and the other is in the top right corner. The cardboard appears to be marked for cutting or folding along these lines.

Step 3

Cut out the squares and fold along the guidelines

A pair of hands is cutting a piece of brown cardboard with scissors. The cardboard, placed on a light wood-grain table, has a square outlined on it, and the scissors are cutting along one side of this square. The left hand holds the cardboard steady, while the right hand operates the scissors.

Step 4

Glue the folded cardboard to form a rectangular tube. Let it dry.

A long, rectangular box made of brown cardboard sits diagonally on a light wood-grain table. One end of the box is open, revealing the hollow interior, while the other end is closed. The box appears to be partially constructed or deconstructed, with the open end showing folded cardboard flaps.

Step 5

On each 20cm x 28cm cardboard piece, divide the longer side into four 7 cm sections and draw guide lines. Draw a 7cm square in the second section of each piece as shown.

On a light wood-grain table, a piece of brown cardboard has been marked with lines and measurements. Two hands are shown measuring and marking the cardboard. One hand holds a clear plastic ruler along the bottom edge, while the other hand uses a pencil to draw a line. Three 7cm markings are visible along the bottom edge, and a single 7cm marking is visible along a vertical line. The markings suggest the cardboard is being prepared for cutting or folding.

Step 6

Cut out the squares and fold the cardboard along the guidelines.

Two hands are shown cutting a piece of brown cardboard with scissors. The cardboard, which rests on a light wood-grain table, is folded slightly and has several vertical creases. The left hand holds the cardboard, while the right hand uses the scissors to cut along one of the creases.

Step 7

Glue each folded piece to form small rectangular tubes. Make two of these.

A small, open-ended cardboard box lies diagonally on a light wood-grain surface. The box is rectangular and made of plain brown cardboard. One end is fully open, while the other remains closed. The open end has folded flaps, suggesting the box is either partially assembled or disassembled.

Step 8

With the large tube's opening facing you, draw a diagonal line on the bottom panel as shown. Repeat for the other end.

A partially assembled cardboard box sits on a light wood-grain table. Two hands are in the process of marking a line on one of the box's flaps. One hand holds a clear plastic ruler against the cardboard, while the other hand uses a pencil to draw along the ruler's edge. The box is long and rectangular, made of plain brown cardboard. One end is open, revealing the interior.

Step 9

Glue the 7cm edges of the mirrors along these diagonal lines, ensuring the reflective surfaces face the tube openings. Let the glue dry completely.

A long rectangular box made of brown cardboard sits on a light wood-grain table. A hand is inserting a small mirror into a cut-out section near one end of the box. The mirror is angled within the box. The box appears to be a homemade project, possibly a periscope or a simple optical device.

Step 10

Apply glue to the inside of both small tubes.

Two hands are working with a rectangular cardboard box on a light wood-grain table. One hand holds the box, which has an open top and a square cut-out section near the bottom. The other hand applies glue from a small white bottle into the interior of the cut-out section. The box appears to be a homemade project in progress.

Step 11

Insert one end of the large tube into a glued small tube, noting the opening direction.

Two hands hold two rectangular cardboard boxes positioned to form a V shape on a light wood-grain table. The longer box lies diagonally, while the shorter box is attached to it at a right angle. The hands appear to be assembling or connecting the two boxes, suggesting a DIY project.

Step 12

Attach the other small tube the same way. Your periscope structure is complete!

Two rectangular cardboard boxes are joined together to form the shape of the letter L on a light wood-grain surface. The boxes are made of plain brown cardboard, and the joint where they connect appears glued or fastened. This suggests a DIY project or a repurposed packaging material.

Step 13

Secure all joints with tape.

Two hands are assembling a structure made of brown cardboard boxes on a light wood-grain table. The boxes are arranged in an L shape. Purple tape is being used to secure the joint where the two boxes meet. The open end of one box reveals a square opening, while the other box lies flat. This image depicts a DIY project in progress.

Step 14

Decorate your periscope with your favourite colours!

An L-shaped object constructed from cardboard boxes is being painted gray on a light wood-grain table. A hand holds a paintbrush with an orange bristle tip and a blue handle, applying gray paint to the cardboard. Some sections appear already painted, while others are in progress, indicating the project is not yet finished.

Step 15

Once the paint dries, your periscope is ready! It's not just a fun toy - it gives you a whole new perspective for exploring the world. Try it out!

A finished, gray-painted cardboard structure resembling a periscope or pipe sits on a light wood-grain table. The structure is L-shaped, formed by two rectangular boxes joined at a right angle. One end of the horizontal section is open, revealing a square opening. The object stands against a plain white wall.

The Science Behind It:

Your periscope contains two mirrors. When light enters the periscope, it reflects off the first mirror, travels down the tube to the second mirror, and then reflects into your eye, allowing you to see what's in front of the top mirror.

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