Observe With a DIY Magnifying Glass

Let’s Be Curious! Ask your child to think of different tools that help us see things better. Show your child examples, such as eyeglasses, binoculars or magnifying mirrors. Ask your child, “What do you notice about the tools? Are they flat or are they curved? What is different about them? What is the same?”

Let’s Make a Plan! Draw a circle on the bottle where there is a smooth, curved edge.

Cut the circle out of the bottle.

Carefully, smooth sharp points with your scissors. The cut-out shape should resemble a shallow bowl.

Let’s Explore! Choose one object to observe without the magnifying glass. Ask your child what they notice about the object. Ask your child, “Is the object smooth or textured? What details can you see?” With your child, write down or draw your observations on the chart.

Next, observe the object with the DIY magnifying glass. Do this by holding the shallow bowl you made from the plastic bottle and filling it with water. You made a magnifying glass!

Now, hold your magnifying glass over an object. Be careful not to spill! Ask your child questions about how the object looks different with the magnifying glass. Ask your child, “Do any patterns or textures stand out that you didn’t see without the magnifying glass?” Record your observations together on the chart.

Let’s Share! Compare what you observed about the objects. Ask your child, “How are the observations about the objects similar and different with and without the magnifying glass? Did your magnifying glass help you learn more about the objects?” Continue the fun by getting a closer look at other things around your house.