Londji Enjoy Kaleidoscope

It is a teleidoscope, a twist on the classic kaleidoscope. Instead of making patterns from small pieces sealed inside, it turns whatever is around you into shifting, symmetrical patterns, so a plant, a face or a window all become part of the changing picture.

A normal kaleidoscope holds coloured fragments in its tip. The teleidoscope has an open end, so it reflects the real objects and colours in the room. Point it anywhere and the view rearranges into a mirrored pattern that keeps changing as you move around.

It has a diameter of 3.8 cm and stands 19.4 cm tall, a slim tube that is easy to hold and look through. At about 80 grams it is light enough for a child to carry around the house and garden while hunting for patterns.

Londji lists it for ages 3 to 103, so it is made to be shared across a whole family. Younger children enjoy the changing colours, while older ones can seek out interesting textures and light to reflect through the open end of the tube.

The body is made from cardboard fitted with a mirror, and it is wrapped in Maria Dek's illustrations of foxes and bears in the forest. The artwork is part of Londji's Enjoy collection, giving the plain tube a warm woodland look on the shelf.

Keep it dry, since the outer tube is cardboard, and avoid dropping it so the internal mirror stays clear. Wipe the outside with a dry cloth and store it somewhere it will not be crushed, and the reflections should stay bright and sharp.

Anywhere with colour or light works well: near a window, among leaves, over patterned fabric or beside a flower. Because it borrows its picture from the surroundings, moving from room to room or heading outdoors keeps giving new patterns to watch through the tube.