Sunday School or Bible Clubs > Crafts >  Crafts for Boys > Cardboard Periscope

1. 1.Cut the end flaps off of both ends of two narrow boxes that are identical. If you don’t have narrow boxes, see instructions on the right.
   

2. 2.Cut the second box in half.
   

3. 3.Cut the 4 corners 2 inches down on both ends of the long box, and one end on each of the two half boxes.
   

4. 4.Fold one flap down on one end of the long box, and another flap on the opposite end and opposite face
   

5. 5.Fold one flap down on each of the half boxes, and cut the flap off.
   

6. 6.Fold the opposite flap in toward the cut out side, but leave it at an angle. Do this on both half boxes.
   

7. 7.Tape one mirror to the angled flap on each half box.
   

8. 8.On both of the half boxes, fold the 2 remaining flaps into triangles to support the angled flap.
   

1. 1.Cut off one side of a thin cardboard box (such as one side of a cereal or cracker box) Roll in a tube, then glue and let dry.
   

Easy Cardboard Periscope

Kids love any gadget that makes them feel like a spy. This easy periscope allows them to see around corners.

7. 7.Tape or glue a mirror on each end, opposite the cut off flap. You can buy pre-cut mirrors at craft stores, and some dollar stores. Some dollar stores even sell mirrors that are bendable plastic that can be cut with scissors. If none of those are available near you, buy a larger mirror (or get an old mirror from a friend for free) and cut it into small squares with a glass cutter.
   

8. 8. Fold both of the side flaps at an angle--from corner to corner to support the mirrored flap. Check to make sure you can see out the opposite end of the box in the mirror. Adjust the angle of the mirror if you can’t see your hand at the other end of the box (see photo above)

1. 1.Cut the end flaps off of both ends of a narrow box. If you don’t have narrow boxes, see instruction on the right.
   

2. 2.Cut the 4 corners 2 inches down on both ends of the box
   

3. 3.Fold one flap down on one end of the long box, and another flap on the opposite end and opposite face of the box. (think of a square “S.”)
   

4. 4.Cut off both of these folded flaps.

Classic Cardboard Periscope

If you want the classic periscope shape, like an “S,” Use 2 boxes instead of one.

9. 9.Slide the two small boxes onto the two ends of the long box so that the mirrors point into the long box. It should make a rough “S” shape.
   

10. 10.Fold both of the side flaps on both ends of the long box at an angle to support the two short boxes.
    

11. 11.Adjust the angles until you can see an image reflected through both mirrors.
    

12. 12.Glue everything in place.
    

13. 13.Optional: Cover the outside with colored paper and glue in place.

3. Open the flattened tube and flatten again so that the two creases line up with each other. Run the side of a pencil or pen along the both edges to make the creases more defined.

Make Your Own Cardboard Tube

If you don’t have narrow boxes like this one, make your own from cereal or cracker boxes.

2. 2.Use both hands to flatten the tube.

3. 3.Run the side of a pencil or pen along both edges to make the creases more defined.

4. Open it one last time--it should be a long narrow  box shape (square tube.)

9. 9.Do the same thing on the other end.
   

10. 10.Adjust the angles until you can see the image reflected through both mirrors.
    

11. 11.Glue everything in place.
    

12. 12. Cut off the points on each end.
    

13. 13.Clean the mirrors of finger smudges so you can see more clearly.
    

14. 14.Optional: Cover the outside with paper and glue in place.

Sunday School or Bible Clubs > Crafts > Crafts for Boys > Cardboard Periscope