Easy Underwater Viewer
We made this underwater viewer the other day. It was a super simple STEM activity that got the kids out in nature. They loved it!
This contraption is best if you have some water nearby (obviously: be careful; we went to a small stream and had constant adult supervision). My kids used it to look into a stream they found. Z loved that he could see the rocks and the "seaweed" at the bottom.
How to Make an Underwater Viewer
An "underwater viewer" is basically a container with a 'window' that lets you see better underwater - so that you can see the stones on the bottom of a stream, the plants growing underwater, and maybe some tiny fishes.
My kids loved making this thing because: 1) it was fairly simple, which means that they could build it for the most part, and 2) it involved adventure.
Materials needed
- an old yogurt container, cleaned and dried (or a plastic milk jug, or any other empty plastic container that is circular or almost circular)
- big, sharp scissors (don't let the kids handle these)
- plastic wrap
- an elastic or two
How to make your underwater viewer
- Make sure your yogurt container (or whatever else you're using) is clean and dry.
- Cut the bottom out of the container. (This is definitely an adult step!)
- Wrap the bottom of the container with plastic wrap.
- Secure the plastic wrap with an elastic or two.
Done! It's that easy.
Now you can take your underwater viewer out to the nearest stream, etc. (Common sense note: always be super careful around water! This goes without saying. We went to a small stream with constant adult supervision.)
We only made one of these the first time - though the kids said they want to make more. We took it out and traipsed through the forest until we found some water.
My kids - almost 7 years old - loved it because they got to look into the water with it. It made the view a little bit clearer - minimally (but, honestly, as an adult, I preferred just my eyes) but the biggest benefit was not the clarity of the contraption we made, but the fact that the kids got to make something and then take it outside and use it.
They also liked using this thing like a pair of binoculars: peering through it at trees and grass and trying to find bugs.
Rebecca is a chaplain at a girls’ school, a mom to boys, and a crafter of all things. She crochets in every free moment she has, and she spends much of her time gluing cotton balls to toilet paper rolls and mopping up glitter.
