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30 awesome things to look at with a microscope

August 9, 2017 by Katie 41 Comments

This post may contain affiliate ads at no cost to you. See my disclosures for more information.

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Looking at objects under a microscope gives kids a whole new perspective on everyday objects in their world.

They may discover that something they thought was smooth is actually covered in little scratches. Or they may discover that something they thought was round actually has angles and straight edges.

Wondering how to get the most out of a microscope? Read on for a list of 30 awesome things kids can look at with a microscope that will give them a whole new understanding and appreciation of the world they live in.

Note: Find more kid-friendly science activities on my Science Activities for Kids page!

30 awesome things for kids to look at with a microscope || Gift of Curiosity

I received a Carson brand MicroBrite pocket microscope (item number SC639) from Montessori Services as compensation for writing this post.

The MicroBrite pocket microscope is a battery operated microscope you can hold in the palm of your hand. It uses an LED light and features 20X to 40X zoom. We have found it super convenient and very easy to use.

photo credit: Montessori Services

Unlike our traditional microscope, this microscope does not require objects to be put on a slide to view them (although using slides is still an option). This allowed us to view thick and opaque objects that would not be possible to look at under a regular microscope. The small size and cordless design makes the MicroBrite pocket microscope ideal for viewing objects around the home, classroom, or back yard.

I am grateful to Montessori Services for allowing me to use and review this nifty little microscope. I have purchased a number of items from Montessori Services in the past and I have always been very happy with the quality of their materials. They feature a wonderful array of learning materials that complement any early childhood curriculum, Montessori or not.

Parents implementing Montessori principles at home will also find wonderful resources through Montessori Services or their partner site, For Small Hands, which specializes in child-size tools and materials for families.

 
 

Microscope exploration activity

When our microscope arrived, I set up a microscope exploration activity to pique my kids’ interest and engage them in using this new tool.

I set out several different objects on small trays for my kids to view with the microscope.

30 awesome things for kids to look at with a microscope || Gift of Curiosity

As soon as my kids walked in and saw the table with the microscope and trays, they wanted to dive in and take a look.

30 awesome things for kids to look at with a microscope || Gift of Curiosity

I showed them how to adjust the dials on the microscope to bring objects into focus.

30 awesome things for kids to look at with a microscope || Gift of Curiosity

They had a fabulous time exploring the different objects and describing to me what they saw.

Want to try this with your kids?

Here is a list of 30 awesome things kids can look at with a microscope, although what you see will depend on the magnification of your microscope.

  • Velcro
  • Coin
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Sand
  • Yarn
  • Leaf
  • Flower petal
  • Blade of grass
  • Tree bark
  • CD
  • Strand of hair
  • Colored image from a magazine or newspaper
  • Onion skin
  • Ear wax
  • Seaweed
  • Feather
  • Mold
  • Blood
  • Scab
  • Teeth plaque
  • Cheek cells
  • Wings from an insect (look on your windshield for dead bugs whose wings you can collect)
  • Spider web (use a microscope slide to collect the web)
  • Flower pollen
  • Dirt
  • Mushroom spores
  • Fabric (try different kinds such as denim, wool, polyester, etc.)
  • Moss
  • Pond water

More science activities for kids

More science posts from Gift of Curiosity:

  • Dancing raisins
  • Candy experiments
  • Jumping colors science activity
  • Make your own glycerin soap
  • Crystallized snowflakes
  • Dissecting an apple
  • What do ants like to eat?
  • Make your own telescope
  • The great baking soda and vinegar experiment
  • Magic inflating balloons

Find more great science activities on my Science Activities for Kids page and my Science Activities Pinterest board. 

The Montessori Services giveaway is now over

I’m excited to host this giveaway of a $50 gift certificate from Montessori Services, one of my favorite Montessori suppliers for home or school!

Who is eligible?

  • This giveaway is open to anyone 18 and older living in the US, US providences, or Canada. Must provide mailing address to receive prize.

How to enter:

  • Please enter on the Rafflecopter form below. If you have questions about the Rafflecopter form, take a look at this 52-second video with directions for entering through Rafflecopter.
  • You will need to provide your email address to enter the giveaway so that I have a way to contact you if you should win the prize.

Other details:

  • The giveaway is open until 12:00 am Pacific Time on August 18, 2017. All entries will be verified! GOOD LUCK!
  • The winner will be notified within 48 hours after the close of the giveaway and will have 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.
  • Gift of Curiosity is not responsible for prize delivery. Prize will be delivered by Montessori Services.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't miss out!

41 Comments

Comments

  1. Bianca Munoz says

    August 9, 2017 at 6:33 am

    Wow. It’s really hard to choose. Because Montessori Services offers so much! And great prices for everything. But I really like all the Card Materials in all subjects that they have. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Amy Heffernan says

    August 9, 2017 at 8:18 am

    I like the Plastic Compost Bin!

    Reply
  3. Laura S says

    August 9, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    I love the weaving kit!

    Reply
  4. Michelle Tustin says

    August 15, 2017 at 4:09 am

    I definitely want the pocket microscope.

    Reply
  5. Sharon Waters says

    August 15, 2017 at 4:10 am

    I like the pouring sets

    Reply
  6. Ashley says

    August 15, 2017 at 4:21 am

    Awesome idea! And thanks for the giveaway -+ we love Montessori Services!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      August 15, 2017 at 4:27 am

      We enjoy the “one drop bottles” and I like the idea of smelling and tasting sets.

      Reply
  7. Kimberly Eberwein says

    August 15, 2017 at 4:26 am

    I agree there are so many items that would be awesome for my students. I love all the outdoor things like the rakes and wheelbarrow.

    Reply
  8. Erica says

    August 15, 2017 at 4:45 am

    It’s so hard to choose. I would probably get one of the cards or a the sewing kit. My daughter wants to learn to sew. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

    Reply
  9. Hesther says

    August 15, 2017 at 4:55 am

    I love all things montessori!

    Reply
  10. Sharon Meehan says

    August 15, 2017 at 4:59 am

    Love the Henry books!

    Reply
  11. Shelly says

    August 15, 2017 at 5:06 am

    I would really love one of the MicoBright microscopes!

    Reply
  12. Heather says

    August 15, 2017 at 5:16 am

    The tap and tack looks fun!

    Reply
  13. Nicole Martinez says

    August 15, 2017 at 6:17 am

    So many amazing products to choose from! I would have to say that the Buttercup™ Butter Maker is something I would love to use with my kids.

    Reply
  14. Alli says

    August 15, 2017 at 6:33 am

    Thanks for the opportunity to win

    Reply
  15. Sarah says

    August 15, 2017 at 6:43 am

    I am always needing to add materials to our homeschool about other cultures and countries so I would purchase some of those materials!

    Reply
  16. Natanya says

    August 15, 2017 at 6:44 am

    I’d love more of their language materials.

    Reply
  17. Shasta says

    August 15, 2017 at 6:47 am

    I really like the Child – sized Masterpieces. I think those would be a great addition to our homeschool.

    Reply
  18. Ariana says

    August 15, 2017 at 6:49 am

    I like the wooden clothes hanging rack.

    Reply
  19. Victoria R. says

    August 15, 2017 at 6:52 am

    I would love this bead sequencing set!

    Reply
  20. Lala says

    August 15, 2017 at 7:33 am

    Thanks for the hard work you put into your blogs

    Reply
  21. Julie Bruno says

    August 15, 2017 at 8:09 am

    I’m really interested in the items that can help my daughter cut veggies and such as she’s really interested in helping me more in the kitchen.

    Reply
  22. Sam says

    August 15, 2017 at 8:51 am

    I eat the MS site and catalog. Great prices for the materials you need to build your Montessori house… and great gifts, too!

    Reply
  23. Grandma7x says

    August 15, 2017 at 8:52 am

    Great products on both sites! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

    Reply
  24. Holly Hoffman Minutaglio says

    August 15, 2017 at 9:02 am

    I’d put it toward the language objects! Really been wanting those!

    Reply
  25. Christa Jones says

    August 15, 2017 at 9:17 am

    The habitat and lifecycle products got my interest because we have been focusing on insects and backyard exploration this summer! This microscope is on my wish list now!

    Reply
  26. Ginnie says

    August 15, 2017 at 9:26 am

    They really have a lot of great products! I am really like the Sum Swamp game, but my daughter saw the beginning of this post and wants the MicroBrite Microscope. So, the microscope it is =)

    Reply
  27. Jennifer Mathesz says

    August 15, 2017 at 9:47 am

    I’d love to try the MicroBrite. My son got a traditional microscope last Christmas and doesn’t understnad that we have to prepare slides in order to use it. This would would be really cool!

    Reply
  28. Christy says

    August 15, 2017 at 10:13 am

    I like the cooperative games.

    Reply
  29. Candy M says

    August 15, 2017 at 11:15 am

    I would love to have one of the science kits like the skeleton model for them to explore and now the microscope is on the list too!

    Reply
  30. Janet Ramelb says

    August 15, 2017 at 11:33 am

    This would be perfect for my classroom and I believe the children will enjoy investigating materials.

    Reply
  31. Jennifer Valencic says

    August 15, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    There are so many great items to choose from! I would love the geo board and the tangram set.

    Reply
  32. Stephanie says

    August 15, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    I currently have the Peacekeepers series from Montessori Services on my wish list.

    Reply
  33. Heather Nelson says

    August 15, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    This would be awesome for my deaf Students!

    http://www.forsmallhands.com/science-nature/hands-on-science/electricity-magnetic-combination-kit

    Reply
  34. Bonnie says

    August 15, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    We have had several items from For Small Hands. I would have a hard time choosing between the microscope, the art prints, several of their outdoor items, or some of their kitchen items….My kids would love the crinkle cutter. They have so many wonderful things!

    Reply
  35. Jen Dieleman says

    August 15, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    What a neat website! I would love to get anything in the music and movement activities section.

    Reply
  36. Beth says

    August 15, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    I am really interested in the roll and play game on the small hand so website for my 2 year old!

    Reply
  37. Liz Schwab says

    August 16, 2017 at 11:19 am

    This is just what I needed! I was given an old (not as good as a the one pictured!) microscope last year for my classroom and I am ashamed to say it sat in the cabinet most the year because I didn’t feel I had much to put out with it. These are great ideas. Thank you!

    Reply
  38. Debra Page says

    August 16, 2017 at 11:33 am

    I love the Peace Rose book.

    Reply
  39. Crystal says

    August 17, 2017 at 6:19 am

    My daughter is loving flags right now- she notices them everywhere and asks me where they’re from. I would love to get the flags of the world pocket guide, and the flag sets for her.

    Reply
  40. Holly says

    August 17, 2017 at 1:10 pm

    I’m excited to try the MicroBrite pocket microscope with my preschool students. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    Reply

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