Find resources / Activities / Making a magnifier – Tētahi mea hei Activity

• It strengthens observation skills and the ability to notice details
• It’s easy to make with your tamaiti using everyday materials

You’ll need: a round pottle – an empty margarine container works well, some cling wrap, a rubber band and a small amount of water

• Cut an opening low on one side of the container big enough for your tamaiti to slide things in to look at. Check for and tape along any sharp edges
• Loosely drape cling wrap over the open top of the container, press it over the sides and secure it with a rubber band
• Get your tamaiti to put a large spoonful of water onto the cling wrap to make a ‘lens’
• Slide something into the magnifier through the small hole you cut in the side
• Look down at it through the watery lens. Talk about what you can both see
• Ask an open question like ‘What do you think will happen if you put in more water?’ Try it out.
• When you’re out and about, look for interesting things to look at under your magnifier
  • Encourage exploration by asking questions like - What happens if we make the cling wrap looser? or tighter?
  • What about if you make the magnifier with a bigger, or smaller container?