Offering High-Quality Educational Products Since 1954
 
Nature-Watching Binoculars
Nature-Watching Binoculars
share with your friends!
send a quick e-mail about this to up to three friends.

to: add
from:
message:
send  cancel
Nature-Watching Binoculars

For your privacy, Lakeshore will not be sending your information to any third party.
email Pin It

Students will love making their own decorative “binoculars” for summertime nature walks!

This activity is appropriate for:
preschool - 1st grade / 3 - 6 years

You will need:

Preparation:

  1. Cut each empty paper towel roll in half to make two equal-size tubes (about 5.5" each).
  2. Cut wrapping paper pieces to fit around each tube, with about ½-inch overlap. Each student will need two pieces.
  3. Cut the yarn into 20"–24" strings (one for each student).

Directions

  1. Give each student two paper towel roll halves, a string of yarn and glue. Have students select two wrapping paper pieces to decorate their binoculars.
  2. Help students glue the wrapping paper pieces around the outside of each tube.
  3. Cut a small (about ½-inch) piece of self-adhesive tape for each student. Show students how to stick the “hook” side of the tape onto the outside of one tube and the “loop” side onto the outside of the other. The edges of the tubes should line up and stick together to look like binoculars.
  4. Punch a hole at the top outside edge of each tube. Help students tie the ends of their yarn strings to each hole so they can wear the binoculars around their necks.

Language Extension:

Take your students on a nature walk with binoculars in hand. Encourage students to name all the different things they see (e.g., bushes, leaves, branches, pinecones, squirrels, lizards and so on). When you return to the classroom, have students draw a picture of what they saw and write a sentence about their picture. Encourage younger students to dictate a sentence for you to write.


Science Discovery Extension:

Research several different kinds of birds and print out some pictures of them to show students. Talk about how these birds are alike and how they are different. Then hide the pictures outdoors by taping them onto trees and bushes. Invite students to find the birds with their binoculars!

As students search, lead them in the simple chant below. After each verse, call on different students to share the birds they found.

Birds in the bushes,
Birds in the trees,
Look through your binoculars,
Which one do you see?

more great crafts & activities
Math Social Studies Language Arts
Piggy Bank
Classroom Map Hunt
Visit a Zoo
Counting Snakes
How I Would Spend One Hundred Dollars
more
History & Heritage Interview
I Know My Address
Papier-Mâché Globe
Time Capsule
Time Line of My Life
Make a School Map
more
Classmates Word Search
Sunflower Flip Book
Pen Pal Project
Donuts with Dad/Muffins with Mom
“Celebrity” Read-A-Thon!
Triorama Drama
more
Science Seasonal Just for Fun
Ice Cube Color Mixing
Weather Wind Sock
Powder Painting
Crayon Resist
Salty Science
Life Cycle Froggy
more
Spring Flowers
Spring Bouquet
Spring Kites
Summer School of Fish
Colorful Kite
Summer Sand Crab
more
Milk Jug Ball Catcher
Silly Sock Beanbag Pal
Teamwork Web
Thumbprint Art
Rainbow Fish
Hot Air Balloon
more
Classroom Fun Special Days Multicultural
Flowerpot Pen Holder
A Healthy Picnic
Spring Learning Centers
Flower Bookmark
Make-Your-Own Sidewalk Chalk
Backpack Buddy
more
3-D Mother’s Day Card
Mother’s Day Tea
Mother’s Day Bouquet
Mother’s Day Teacup Cards
Mother’s Day Card
Bear Hug Mother’s Day Card
May Day Basket
Star-Studded Napkin Rings
Foam Star Paper Chains
A Flag Day Parade
Father’s Day Frames
Father’s Day CD Photo Coaster
Shirt & Tie Father’s Day Card
Father’s Day Card
Independence Day Drum
Fourth of July Firecrackers
Uncle Sam Hat
Star-Spangled Shaker
Stars & Stripes Place Mat
Veterans Day Flag
Turkey Table Toppers
Being Thankful Sunflower
Native American Rattles
Colorful Napkin Rings
Pilgrim Hats
Turkey Place Card Holders
Colorful Cornucopia
Turkey Handprint Apron
Turkey Plate
Fall Table Settings
Turkey Memory Match-Ups
Remember the Day in Photos
Pin the Tail on the Turkey
Goofy Gobbler
Thanksgiving Table Art
Turkey Trot Relay Game
“A Festive Feast” Brain Teaser Game
Terrific Turkey Centerpiece
Spooky Spiders
Paper Bag Scarecrows
Milk Jug Monsters
Jack-O’-Lantern Jars
Halloween Countdown Calendar
Giant Pumpkin
Jack-O’-Lantern
Valentine’s Day Door Wreath
Valentine Mobile
Valentine’s Day Card
Valentine Tic-Tac-Toe
Love Bug
Valentine Mailbox
Cup of Cocoa Valentine’s
Day Card

Valentine Necklace
Valentine Caterpillar
Valentine Learning Centers
Handprint Heart Frame Photos
Giant Valentine
Presidents’ Day Puppet & Poem
Patriotic Pencil Holders
Sharing the Dream of Dr. King
Chinese New Year Parade
Chinese New Year Drums
New Year’s Hat
New Year’s Rocket
Party Masks
Holiday Scrapbook
Decorative Gift Tags
Gingerbread Man Notepads
Holiday Card
Holiday Card Stand
Holiday Treats Gift Bag
Holiday Candle Holder
Holiday Snack Sticks
Hanging Holiday Symbols
Reindeer
Celebration Candle
Peppermint Candy Handprint Plates
Candy Cane Ornament
Saint Patrick’s Day Pop-Up Card
Shimmering Shamrocks
Shamrock Door Hanger
Rainbow “Pot of Gold”
Leprechaun Hunt
Caterpillar Garden Critters
Reusable Earth Day Bags
Recycled Robots
more
Cinco de Mayo Sombreros
Cinco de Mayo Shakers
Party Piñata
Papier-Mâché Basket
Papier-Mâché Globe
Family Flag
more