Home >> Science & Nature >> Astronomy

How to Make a Telescope for an 8-Year-Old

If your child shows an interest in science, physics and math, consider helping him make a telescope. Stargazing is an educational hobby and it is also fun for children and adults. While you can purchase an inexpensive telescope designed specifically for kids, your child will benefit more if you build one from scratch. You can teach him the scientific process behind a telescope, and he will gain a better understanding of the way it works.

Things You'll Need

2 mailing tubes, one slightly larger than the other
2 convex magnifying glasses
Poster board
Glue
Manila folder

Instructions

- 1
  Calculate the focal length of the lenses. Have your child shine a flashlight over one lens until it makes a bright spot. Measure the distance between this point and the lens. Repeat with the other lens and add the two focal lengths. Divide this number by two. Add 1 inch to this total number to determine how long your telescope needs to be.
- 2
  Use scissors to cut the cardboard tubes to the length you calculated.
- 3
  Measure the diameter of the end of the tubes by placing the end of the tubes on top of the Manila paper and tracing. Cut the two circles out just inside the line you drew to make the frames for the magnifying lenses. Frame the lenses with glue. Glue the lens with the longer focal length to the end of the larger tube, and glue the lens with the shorter focal distance to the eyepiece of the smaller tube.
- 4
  Place the smaller tube inside the larger tube. Sliding it into place will work best and you will make a refracting telescope. Test the telescope by looking through the eyepiece and adjusting the outer tube to focus on an object.
- 5
  Let your child decorate. Use adhesive or glue to add wrapping paper. Your child can also carefully color or paint the tube.

Astronomy