Paper Roll Spy Tubes

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5)
Play time:: 15 to 20 minutes
Setup:: 2 minutes
Where:: Table

Why it helps

This craft helps your child use both hands together to build a tool. Taping the rolls together and lacing yarn through holes builds hand strength. Once finished, looking through the tubes helps with visual focus. It is a great way to practice scanning for hidden treasures!

Steps

Hold two cardboard paper rolls side by side.
Use masking tape to wrap around the middle of the rolls to stick them together.
Decorate the outside of your spy tubes using colorful markers.
Use a hole puncher to make one hole on the outside edge of each roll.
Thread a piece of yarn through the holes to create a strap.
Ask an adult to help tie the yarn ends so the strap is secure.
Now, look through your spy tubes to find specific colors in the room!

Safety tip: Adult supervision is required while using the hole puncher and yarn to ensure safety.

Make it easier

Hold the two rolls together for your child while they wrap the tape around.
Punch the holes yourself and let your child do the threading.
Use a pipe cleaner for the strap, which is stiff and slides through the holes without help.

Make it harder

Give two-part clues for the spy hunt, like find something red and round.
Spy for letters or numbers on book covers and signs around the room.
Let your child tie the strap knot on their own.

What to watch for

Notice whether your child holds the rolls steady with one hand while the other hand wraps the tape.
Watch how your child searches with the tubes. Slow, steady sweeps across the room tend to find more than quick jumps.
If looking through the tubes feels uncomfortable, let your child spy with bare eyes and use the tubes as a pretend prop.