Jungle Binoculars

crayola supplies

Gel Markers
Glue Sticks
Blunt-Tip Scissors

household supplies

crepe paper
rubber bands
recycled gift wrap or paper towel roll

Why

Search for wildlife in your imagination with these cardboard-tube binoculars! Transform a back yard, park, or your house into a jungle teeming with wildlife.

Steps

1. Find two recycled cardboard tubes that are the same length or cut one in half with Crayola® Scissors.
2. Cut strips of light-colored crepe paper to fit around each tube. Rub a Crayola Glue Stick on one tube. Wrap crepe paper strips over the glue. Repeat with the other tube.
3. Lay tubes side by side. Place two rubber bands around both tubes.
4. Put glue on one end of a long piece of crepe paper. Attach it near the end of one tube. Wrap the crepe paper around both tubes to cover the rubber bands. Glue down the loose end.
5. Imagine the animals and plants you might see on a safari. Use Crayola Gel Markers to draw them on your binoculars. Have fun exploring your pretend jungle-in your back yard, house, or at the park!

When & Where

"The kids use stuffed animals to pretend they are exploring the wild in our playroom."
- Amber G., family child care provider

"Kids made Jungle Binoculars at our adventure camp. We used them as part of a scavenger hunt game."
- Brandon E., religious center volunteer.

Interesting Info

Galileo introduced the telescope in 1609. He was the first man to see the moon's craters. His telescope arranged glass lenses to magnify objects. Binoculars were invented at about the same time. Binoculars are really two small telescopes joined together.

Safety Guidelines

Recycled Cardboard Tubes—Use paper towel tubes, gift-wrap tubes, or long cardboard tubes that can be cut to any length. Health professionals caution against using recycled toilet paper tubes for arts & crafts projects because of the potential fecal contamination.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.