Pinhole and patience: a simple diy box projector
The school holidays are here, and like many parents, I’ve been looking for meaningful ways to spend time with my child, moments that go beyond screens and gadgets, and lead us toward discovery, creativity, and joy.
Today, we took a small step back in time and made something delightfully simple: a box pinhole projector. An old-school method to view the Sun safely using nothing but a cardboard box, some foil, tape, and a tiny pinhole.
I’ve always had a passion for solar observation, and my recent explorations with photographing the Sun and tracking sunspots naturally made me wonder: how can I share this wonder with my child in a way that’s safe, hands-on, and engaging?
So instead of just showing him sunspot images on a screen, I asked,
“Want to build something cool with me today?”
His eyes lit up. And just like that, our little astro-craft project was underway.
How to Make a Pinhole Projector
Creating a pinhole projector is easy and requires materials you probably already have at home.
What You'll Need:
· 1 cardboard box (a shoebox or cereal box works well)
· Aluminum foil
· White paper
· Tape
· A pin or needle
· Scissors or a cutter
Steps:
1. First, On the inside of the box, tape a white piece of paper to the opposite end. This will be your viewing screen.
2. Once the white paper is pasted, give it some time to fix properly. Once you are sure about it, you can proceed to the next steps.
3. Cut two small rectangular holes on one the other end of the cardboard box.
4. Tape a piece of aluminum foil over one hole.
5. Poke a tiny pinhole in the center of the foil using a needle or sharp pin.
6. The other hole will be your viewing hole.
7. Hooray, its ready now.
· Another way is that, instead of two rectangular holes side by side, you can make one and seal the box so that it's dark inside, except for the light entering through the pinhole.
· And then, cut an opening on the side (near the white screen) so you can look in and see the projection without letting in too much outside light.
Go outside on a sunny day. Stand with your back to the Sun and let the sunlight enter through the foil-pinhole. You’ll see a tiny but clear projection of the Sun appear on the white screen inside the box.
Note: You’re not looking directly at the Sun. This is an indirect, safe method of solar viewing!
The Joy of Looking Inside a Box
When we stepped outside and aimed our pinhole projector toward the Sun, something magical happened.
A tiny, perfect image of the Sun appeared. My son leaned in and gasped,
“Appa! It’s like the Sun came into the box!”
It was such a pure moment of wonder. And for me, that small dot of light represented so much more… it was curiosity, science, time spent together, and a connection to something far beyond our planet.
Improving Scientific Temperament
During projects like these, it’s never just about the final result, it’s about the journey. The real joy lies in the process of building, exploring, and discovering together. Every step becomes an opportunity to connect, to share, and most importantly, to learn.
What makes it even more meaningful is how children naturally begin to ask questions, not because they’re told to, but because they’re genuinely curious. They start wondering,
“Why do we use this material?” “What would happen if we used something else?”
These moments spark a deeper understanding and a self-motivated desire to explore.
It’s in these thoughtful ‘why’s and ‘what if’s that the seeds of critical thinking and creativity are truly sown. While we were building our pinhole projector, my son looked at the tiny square of aluminum foil in my hand and asked,
“Why do we need to use foil? Why not just regular paper?”
It was such a smart question, and it gave me a chance to explain a bit of science.
I told him, “Good thinking! Paper can tear easily, and when you poke a hole in it, the edges might not be sharp or clean. But aluminum foil is stronger and holds its shape better, so the pinhole stays tiny and precise. That’s important because the smaller and cleaner the hole, the sharper the image of the Sun will be inside the box.”
He nodded thoughtfully, then added, “So foil is like the lens of our box?”
I smiled. Exactly that.
The kid is enjoying with the new pinhole projector
A Parent’s Perspective
This was more than just a fun science experiment. It was a shared moment of learning, bonding, and slowing down together. In a world that often pushes kids to consume information passively, this was about creating knowledge with our hands, our time, and our curiosity.
It also reminded me + inspired my child that we don’t need fancy tools to inspire scientific thinking. Sometimes, all we need is a cardboard box and a clear blue sky.
If you're reading this and wondering how to make your child’s holidays a little more exciting, I encourage you to try this.
You don’t need to be an astronomer.
You don’t need expensive equipment.
You just need a bit of time, some basic materials, and a willingness to explore together.
Make a pinhole projector. Talk about the Sun, about light, about shadows and space. You might just plant the seed of a future scientist or at the very least, create a memory that stays with them far longer than a YouTube video ever could.
Because the greatest discovery our children can make isn’t just what’s out there it’s how much magic lies in the simple act of looking up.
Safety Note:
⚠️ Never look directly at the Sun without proper solar filters. The pinhole projector is a safe, indirect method that’s perfect for young astronomers and curious minds.