Posted on April 23, 2022 (Updated on July 29, 2025)

How do you make a paper towel telescope roll?

Space & Navigation

Turn a Paper Towel Roll into a Telescope: Seriously Fun DIY!

Got an empty paper towel roll kicking around? Don’t toss it! You can whip up a seriously cool telescope, perfect for pint-sized astronomers, wannabe pirates, or just plain curious kiddos. It’s a fantastic way to spark their imagination and get them looking at the world (and the stars!) in a whole new way. Trust me, this is a project that’s as fun to make as it is to use.

Gather Your Gear:

Okay, raid your craft stash. Here’s what you’ll probably need:

  • Empty paper towel roll (or, hey, two toilet paper rolls work in a pinch!).
  • Maybe some extra cardboard or cardstock for reinforcements.
  • Scissors – safety first, people!
  • Tape – masking or Scotch, whatever you’ve got.
  • Glue (optional, but handy).
  • Decorating goodies: paint, markers, stickers… unleash your inner artist! Washi tape, gems, yarn – go wild!
  • Optional extras: a paper cup, some clear plastic (like from a sandwich bag), and if you’re feeling ambitious, some actual lenses.

Let’s Build This Thing! (A Few Ways to Go):

  • The Super-Simple Stargazer: This is the “zero to hero” version. Just grab that paper towel roll and decorate it! Done. Seriously, that’s it. Perfect for the littlest hands. Let them go crazy with the markers and stickers. My niece decorated hers with glitter glue – sparkly constellations!

  • The “Longer is Better” Model: If you’re stuck with those shorter toilet paper rolls, no sweat. Just tape two of them together to get some decent length. For extra sturdiness, wrap the whole thing in construction paper or cardstock. A little glue helps keep everything snug.

  • The Extend-O-Scope: Now we’re getting fancy! This one actually slides in and out. Take one of your rolls and carefully cut it lengthwise. Overlap the edges just a bit to make the tube slightly smaller, and tape it up. Now it should slide nicely inside the other tube. Instant zoom!

  • The “Official” Viewing End: Want to get all official-looking? Grab a paper cup. Trace the end of your paper towel roll onto the bottom of the cup, cut out the circle, and pop the roll in. Tape and glue it to keep it secure. For a cool lens effect, stretch some clear plastic wrap over the open end of the cup and tape it tight. Draw a little crosshair on there with a marker – boom, reticle!

  • The Constellation Projector: This is a neat trick. Cut a cardboard circle a little bigger than the end of your tube. Draw a constellation on it (Orion is always a good choice!), and poke holes where the stars go. Tape the cardboard to the end of the tube. Now, look through the tube towards a light, and you’ll see the constellation projected!

  • The “Real Deal” Lens Upgrade: Okay, this is for the serious DIY-ers. You can actually add real lenses to make a proper telescope. You’ll need to buy a convex lens and a concave lens. The concave lens goes near your eye, and the convex lens goes at the other end. Tape them in place. You might need to fiddle with the position of the lenses to get things in focus. Honestly, this is a bit fiddly, but the results can be pretty impressive.

    • Make it Your Own: Decorating Time!

    This is where the magic happens. Let those creative juices flow!

    • Paint: Acrylics or washable kids’ paint work great. Metallic paint gives it that classic telescope vibe.
    • Markers and Crayons: Stars, planets, alien landscapes… go wild!
    • Stickers: Space-themed stickers are always a hit.
    • Washi Tape: Adds instant color and patterns.
    • Gems and Glitter: Because everything’s better with a little sparkle!
    • Yarn: Wrap it around for a cool textured effect.

    A Word of Caution (Seriously!):

    • NEVER, EVER look directly at the sun through ANY telescope. You can seriously damage your eyes!

    Learning Adventures Await:

    This isn’t just a craft project; it’s a launchpad for learning!

    • Astronomy 101: Head outside at night and try to spot the moon, stars, and planets.
    • Constellation Hunting: Learn the constellations and see if you can find them in the sky.
    • Backyard Birding: Use your telescope to get a closer look at the birds in your backyard.
    • Imagination Station: Let your kids use the telescope for pirate adventures, exploring new worlds, or spying on imaginary creatures.

    So, grab that paper towel roll and get crafting! You might be surprised at the amazing things you can discover.

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