<p>There are many refractors/reflectors that can be obtained ready made and be more useful as the interest develops
You would be wise to get the largest objective you can afford,although an interesting project kit it is minimal in aperture(ref: Galscope)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-14T10:56:30.827Z
2015-01-14T10:56:30.827Z
Colin Shorey
<p>I am looking for a design of a cheap and easy telescope to build with my 9yo daughter with the only basic requirement being that I'd love to be able to see detail on the moon.  Looking around, there seems to be a wide variety of either extremely simple or very advanced (to me) options.  I've seen <a href="https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/2212/which-type-of-telescope-should-i-make">this post</a> and <a href="https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/3714/any-cheap-less-than-100-euro-telescope-for-observing-jupiter">this post</a>, but they look a bit advanced.  I am hoping for something as basic as possible (i.e. that we can construct in an afternoon or two) that does not come from a kit.  <a href="http://www.nymetroparents.com/article/diy-telescope-from-national-geographic-kids-get-outside-guide#.VKB92v8SAA" rel="nofollow noreferrer">This site</a> has an option, but I imagine that's simply unpractical.  Is there anything else that anyone would recommend to get started?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-29T08:55:36.440Z
What's unpractical about the NY metro parents scope? I think that's your best first option. Also: you really want to build a scope? The [Galileo scope](http://www.astronomy2009.org/globalprojects/cornerstones/galileoscope/) has a great value for money and you can spend your time observing instead of building. The design is so transparent that you learn how the design works while using it.
agtoever
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-30T22:17:26.210Z
I didn't think that pairing two magnifying glass lenses together would do much of anything, so if it does, that's great!
rougon
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-30T22:41:30.590Z
I think it will fit your purpose. Also [see this more concise description](http://galileo.rice.edu/lib/student_work/astronomy96/mtelescope.html). Good luck and have fun with this great project.
agtoever
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-09T19:38:28.350Z
Indeed, the "Great Refractors" of the 19th century, The 15" Harvard College Telescope, The 36" Lick Telescope, and the 40" Yerkes Refractor, to name a few, were (are!) essentially just two magnifying glass lenses in a tube.
eshaya
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-14T19:44:23.270Z
You've seen my answers already. I still think the Galileoscope is a great idea - my kids at 8 at 11 yr built it in less than 1 hour. It's great for the price, just google a simple cardboard mount for it (doesn't work hand-held). Otherwise, get some binoculars - it's enough to show you craters on the Moon and some of the big nebulae such as Orion. Binoculars are very good for astronomy, and very much ignored, sadly. 3rd option, Celestron FirstScope or FunScope TableTop Reflector, or any other simple scope like this - no assembly required. Stay away from things with long spindly tripod legs.
Florin Andrei
<telescope>
Basic DIY Telescope
rougon
# Basic DIY Telescope

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-12-28)

I am looking for a design of a cheap and easy telescope to build with my 9yo daughter with the only basic requirement being that I'd love to be able to see detail on the moon. Looking around, there seems to be a wide variety of either extremely simple or very advanced (to me) options. I've seen [this post](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/2212/which-type-of-telescope-should-i-make) and [this post](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/3714/any-cheap-less-than-100-euro-telescope-for-observing-jupiter), but they look a bit advanced. I am hoping for something as basic as possible (i.e. that we can construct in an afternoon or two) that does not come from a kit. [This site](http://www.nymetroparents.com/article/diy-telescope-from-national-geographic-kids-get-outside-guide#.VKB92v8SAA) has an option, but I imagine that's simply unpractical. Is there anything else that anyone would recommend to get started?

**Tags:** telescope

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What's unpractical about the NY metro parents scope? I think that's your best first option. Also: you really want to build a scope? The [Galileo scope](http://www.astronomy2009.org/globalprojects/cornerstones/galileoscope/) has a great value for money and you can spend your time observing instead of building. The design is so transparent that you learn how the design works while using it.  
> **username_0**: I didn't think that pairing two magnifying glass lenses together would do much of anything, so if it does, that's great!  
> **username_1**: I think it will fit your purpose. Also [see this more concise description](http://galileo.rice.edu/lib/student_work/astronomy96/mtelescope.html). Good luck and have fun with this great project.  
> **username_2**: Indeed, the "Great Refractors" of the 19th century, The 15" Harvard College Telescope, The 36" Lick Telescope, and the 40" Yerkes Refractor, to name a few, were (are!) essentially just two magnifying glass lenses in a tube.  
> **username_3**: You've seen my answers already. I still think the Galileoscope is a great idea - my kids at 8 at 11 yr built it in less than 1 hour. It's great for the price, just google a simple cardboard mount for it (doesn't work hand-held). Otherwise, get some binoculars - it's enough to show you craters on the Moon and some of the big nebulae such as Orion. Binoculars are very good for astronomy, and very much ignored, sadly. 3rd option, Celestron FirstScope or FunScope TableTop Reflector, or any other simple scope like this - no assembly required. Stay away from things with long spindly tripod legs.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2015-01-14. Score: 1

There are many refractors/reflectors that can be obtained ready made and be more useful as the interest develops
You would be wise to get the largest objective you can afford,although an interesting project kit it is minimal in aperture(ref: Galscope)


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