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How to make a photo kaleidoscope.

by on Jul 22, 2009

Two hands holding a transparent block with a mountain inside.

(Get ready to have too much fun!) Fold Play shows how to make a photo kaleidoscope (either hex or oct), which just might be one of the coolest–and free–ways to display your photos ever. Make one or a dozen and you’ll amaze not only your friends but yourself as well with your cleverness.

To make one, you’ll need:

  • Photos of your choice 
  • An 8 1/2 x 11 piece of printer paper or lightweight card stock
  • A ruler
  • A boning tool (optional, but I’d highly recommend it)
  • Glue (PVA works but rubber cement would be a better choice)
  • This template at Fold Play

To put it all together, you’ll need to do this:

  • Upload the photos of your choice
  • Print the results 
  • Follow the directions on how to put it together. 
  • And that’s it!

After making a few, I’d suggest using lightweight card stock versus printer paper, which works fine, but the card stock will stand up longer and looks better, especially if you’re making one for someone else.

I used PVA for glueing, but Fold Play’s suggestion for using rubber cement might be a wiser choice.

Don’t start manipulating your kaleidoscope until the glue is COMPLETELY DRY.

And finally, do yourself a BIG favor and watch the slideshow of the directions before you get started cutting and folding and such.