4M Kidzlabs Kaleidoscope Making Kit - Optical Light Physics Stem Toys Craft Gift for Kids & Teens, Boys & Girls (3435)

Suggested this to a friend as an inexpensive birthday gift for my daughter’s 5th birthday - and it was a hit! Fun for her to assemble, fun to test out all the different combinations… and of course there are endless possibilities. I had to draw the line at cutting up favorite clothes to put little scraps of fabric in there. The only thing I thought could be better about the product is that the protective paper on the mirrors doesn’t come off easily or seamlessly. Would be great if there was a pull-tab that a five year old (or an adult without long nails) could manage, and if the glue was slightly less adhesive. Still, I’d fully recommend this as a great hands-on, satisfying craft for kids that also introduces them to conversations about physics, if you’re into that.

It went together easily and well, seems very sturdy, and looks good, too. I particularly like that the object chamber can be opened so the contents can be adjusted and/or completely changed, since messing with the "magic" is the most fun part of kaleidoscope construction. This one provides more opportunity for that. I have a second kit for which I have not yet determined a recipient.

Well made, clear directions, great project. The kids loved it.

Cool for my 4 year old granddaughter!

Allittle hard to put together for children need assistance

I got this for my 8 year old daughter who was fascinated by the colors of Kaleidoscope. Explaining how the patterns are formed is not easy till they get a chance to build one and see how it works. This kit was ideal for this purpose. It came with all the parts and easy to follow instructions to make a kaleidoscope. She got a good appreciation of how different color/shape objects transform into different patterns when reflected through three mirrors placed in a certain position. It is a good hands on learning activity. The bad part is that it is over fairly quickly. I would prefer something that involves or has the option for more involvement/activities by the kids. Good fun with kids. I will take this activity over electronic gadgets/games any day any time.

Great idea, but we echo other reviewers' comments on the flimsiness of the tube and quality of the other contents. Our son made one kaleidoscope, and the plastic container lid immediately became stuck, so he can't open it to change the contents. Seems like the pieces could have been engineered better to avoid this problem and to prevent the eyepiece and container from falling off without adhesive. We love the concept, though, and our son did, too. Nice idea to include the info on the history of kaleidoscopes. too.

My two & four-year-old grandsons loved putting this together & enjoyed spinning it to see the different designs. Great buy!