How to Make a DIY Hologram Projector at Home

This might be one of the easiest science projects we’ve tried....and our kids’ minds were absolutely blown.

Using a piece of plastic from an empty grape container, a glass dish, and a phone, you can create a simple DIY hologram projector that makes planets, animals, and other objects appear to float inside the glass.

We originally tried this as a fun way to learn about space ahead of the Perseid meteor shower, but once we realized how cool it was, we started projecting animals and all kinds of other things too.

What You Need

• Clear plastic from a grape or produce container

• A clear glass container or dish

• Scissors

• Clear tape

• A smartphone

• A 3D hologram video (search youtube)

  
  

How to Make Your Hologram Projector

1. Trace your glass dish. Place the glass container on top of the flat plastic from your grape container and trace its size and shape.

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2. Cut out the plastic. Cut along your traced lines. This gives you a piece of clear plastic that fits perfectly inside your particular glass container- no measuring required.

3. Position the plastic at an angle. Slip the plastic inside the glass dish so that it sits diagonally rather than flat. Tape the top edge of the plastic to the glass to hold it in place.

That’s your homemade projector!

Position the plastic at a diagonal; this creates the projector for the hologram

4. Flip the glass upside down. Turn the glass dish over so the opening is against the table and your angled piece of plastic is suspended inside.

5. Add your phone. Search YouTube for a “3D hologram video” or “hologram projector video.” Place your phone flat on top of the upside-down glass with the video positioned over the plastic.

Turn off the lights, press play, and watch what happens.

The image from the phone reflects off the angled clear plastic, making it look like the object is floating inside the glass.

Turn It Into a Learning Activity

We used ours to explore space ahead of the Perseid meteor shower. Watching planets and other space objects seemingly float in front of them made the topic feel completely different than simply looking at pictures.

But you definitely don’t have to stop at space. Search for hologram videos featuring:

• Planets and the solar system

• Animals

• Dinosaurs

• Jellyfish and ocean creatures

• The human body

• Geometric shapes

  
  

It’s a ridiculously simple project made with something we would have otherwise thrown in the recycling bin...and one of those activities where the adults might be just as impressed as the kids.

Easy, inexpensive, educational, and just a little bit magical.

About the author. Kate is a Florida-based mom of two and the writer behind SunshineFamGuide. She's been camping in the Keys for over 20 years, moved her family from Denver to Southwest Florida, and personally visits every park, beach, spring, and cruise she writes about...usually with two kids and a bucket of gear in tow.