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Home » Key Stage 2 Science » How to make a Magnifying Glass

How to make a Magnifying Glass

Modified: Mar 18, 2025 · Published: May 21, 2012 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

Playing detective is one of my little ones’ favourite games, but to be a real detective, you need lots of science! So today, we’re going to make a magnifying glass.

This activity is part of my playful science series, so don’t forget to check out the other simple science ideas too!

How to Make a Magnifying Glass

Materials

A clear plastic bottle

A dry marker pen

A pair of scissors

Water

Plastic bottle, scissors and sharpie for making a magnifying glass

How to make a magnifying glass

1. Draw a circle at the neck of the bottle. It needs to be on the neck so that when you cut it out, it will create a disc shape.

Image of a plastic bottle with a circle drawn on to cut out to make a DIY magnifying glass.

2. Cut out the circle

3. Pour a little water into the disc.

Magnifying glass made from a plastic bottle

4. Hold it over your book or paper to make the letters bigger. It works really well!

a segment cut from a plastic bottle being used over a book as a magnifying glass

Why does this work?

The disc shape you have cut out curves outwards. It is a convex shape. By adding the water, the light that passes through is refracted. This means it is bent inwards, creating a lens effect enlarging the size of the letters. You now have your very own magnifying glass!

Image of a cartoon magnifying glass for a preschool science experiment.
Playful Science – Make a Magnifying Glass

Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Emma Vanstone

More Key Stage 2 Science

  • Edible Butterfly Life cycle
    Edible Butterfly Life Cycle
  • A balloon blown up and small coin
    Singing Balloon Experiment
  • mini DIY greenhouse made from a plastic bottle
    Easy DIY Mini Greenhouses
  • Does colour affect temperature?

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. HELEN

    May 21, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    wow, very clever indeed!

    Reply
  2. Julie

    May 21, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    So cool! We are definitely going to try this. Thanks

    Reply
  3. Susan Case

    May 21, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    Brilliant! Love it.

    Reply
  4. Ann

    May 23, 2012 at 12:07 am

    That is such a neat idea – can’t wait to try this out with the kids!

    Reply
  5. Crafty Little People

    May 25, 2012 at 9:52 am

    Simple but effective! My kids would love this.

    Reply
  6. Deborah

    May 29, 2012 at 6:04 am

    Oh yes, this is super cool! I better run and dig those bottles out of the trash can:)

    Reply
  7. Carrie

    June 01, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    Oh, how neat!! My daughter would love this. We will definitely have to give it a try. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! I hope you are having an amazing week!

    Oh, and on another note, have you seen the latest issue of Family Fun Magazine? They have a craft/activity very similar to your lung one. I thought of you when I saw it.

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      June 01, 2012 at 7:49 pm

      Let us know if you try it. Is Family Fun online?

      Reply
  8. Benjamin

    June 07, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    Everyone says this is great for the kids, i am 25 and i LOVE this. Its so cool, making your own magnifying glass, how clever 🙂

    Reply
  9. Sally

    June 11, 2012 at 6:02 am

    I love this. I just posted it on my blog (http://a-little-crafty.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/make-your-own-magnifying-galss.html) I think it’s so neat. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. israel

    September 20, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    nice n cool

    Reply
  11. Casey Norris

    November 18, 2016 at 12:15 am

    So would this magnify glass work to look at leaves and things??? I have a cub scout pack and this would be neat

    Reply
  12. Pradeep

    January 07, 2018 at 4:15 pm

    Very good

    Reply
  13. BLOBFISH

    January 09, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    doens’t work because TUN TUN i put a paper do OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

    Reply
  14. desconosido

    January 09, 2018 at 7:53 pm

    mongolo noobs

    Reply
  15. Matias

    March 06, 2018 at 1:19 pm

    waaaaaw great !

    Reply
  16. Destiny

    September 11, 2021 at 9:41 am

    Wow this is cool

    Reply
  17. Allison Trumbull

    February 03, 2024 at 5:46 pm

    I love love love this idea! I tried making a magnifying glass with the materials you recommended, and it works! This activity is safe and kid friendly, and I would highly recommend this as a craft project at schools across the world!

    Reply

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