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Recommended for elementary school students! A fun collection of craft ideas for first graders

A first grader with a strong sense of curiosity who is sensitive to colors and shapes.

They also enjoy playing with friends and are beginning to discover the fun of cooperation.

This is a great time for drawing pictures and making things.

As their fine motor skills start to develop, why not let them explore different materials and enjoy crafting?

Here, we’ll introduce easy, fun craft ideas you can try.

Have fun unleashing your imagination by making all kinds of things with friends, at school, or with your family.

Recommended for elementary school kids! A fun collection of craft ideas for first graders (211–220)

Let’s make postcards from milk cartons.

[Independent Research] "Let's Make Postcards from Milk Cartons!"
Let's make postcards from milk cartons.

There are many crafts you can make using milk cartons.

One especially unique idea is to create postcards.

First, cut the milk carton into pieces, soak them in water, and heat them.

Once they soften, peel off the outer layer.

Next, put the paper into a blender and mix well to make the base pulp slurry.

Then pour it into a frame, smooth it out, and let it dry to finish your postcard.

Try writing an actual message on it.

It can also be a great way to spark interest in how recycling works.

milk carton pen holder

[Milk Carton Pen Holder] Tidy up your desk! An adorable pen holder—perfect for a summer vacation craft. paper craft
milk carton pen holder

Milk cartons are made of paper, but they’re surprisingly sturdy and long-lasting.

Items made from milk cartons also last a long time, so they’re very eco-friendly and practical.

So, why not make a lovely pen holder using milk cartons that’s gentle on the planet? You’ll need a milk carton, glue, and decorations like masking tape or chiyogami paper.

The basic method is to first open the milk carton flat, then reshape it into a triangular tube.

Secure it with tape.

Vary the heights and connect them together, and you’re done.

If you want it to be more durable, just double or triple the layers of the carton.

After that, decorate it however you like.

A pen holder you made yourself is sure to become something you’re fond of!

Let’s make an air gun

[At-Home Independent Research Dojo] The Air Gun Edition (How to Make an Air Gun)
Let's make an air gun

An air gun is a great recommendation for kids who love crafts.

There are many steps to make it, but the materials are things you likely have at home, or can all be found at a 100-yen shop if not.

To make it, connect an insert cup holder to an empty plastic bottle.

For the part that pushes out the air, attach a piece of balloon cut to fit over the bottom of the cup.

When you snap the balloon, the air pressure gives it a realistic, gun-like power.

You can make a proper air gun using simple, easily available items.

It’s fun, so definitely give it a try.

Tyrannosaurus made from a paper cup

[Summer Vacation Craft] Get all materials at the 100-yen shop! Just paper cups! <Tyrannosaurus・T. rex> [Independent Research] Easy! Can be made in one day! Upcycled craft [For upper elementary grades] A must-see for moms and dads!
Tyrannosaurus made from a paper cup

As summer vacation draws to a close, many of you have probably struggled to choose a topic for your independent research project.

In times like that, here’s a great recommendation: a budget-friendly Tyrannosaurus made from paper cups that you can finish in a short time.

All you need is paper cups from a 100-yen shop! It’s super easy, yet you’ll end up with a cool, realistic-looking T.

rex.

The basic method is to cut and combine the paper cups.

If you make it in a single color, it looks cool; if you mix different colors, you’ll get a pop-style T.

rex—so you can customize it any way you like!

Vegetable Stamp Art

I tried making veggie stamps!!!
Vegetable Stamp Art

Many people are likely looking for easy science projects or crafts for lower elementary school students.

For you, we recommend “vegetable stamps.” Cut various vegetables, apply ink to the cross-sections, and make stamps.

Since each vegetable has a different cross-section, you could even turn it into a quiz-style project.

Using the stamps to create pictures is also a great idea.

masking tape art

Expressing pictures with masking tape—Masking tape art that anyone can easily enjoy, from children to adults [MaskingTapeArt]
masking tape art

Drawing pictures is a classic choice for independent study projects and crafts.

Simply drawing is fine, but let’s add a little twist to make your artwork more eye-catching.

Masking tape is highly recommended for that.

There are many kinds of masking tape, so you can create a wide variety of pictures.

Start by making a rough sketch, then gather masking tapes that match your design.

a picture from the story

[Elementary School Art: Story Illustrations] Introducing recommended picture books and ways to support children who struggle to draw from imagination — Fukiko Grandma’s Art and Craft Teaching Tips
a picture from the story

When drawing, choosing a theme is important, and some people may struggle with that and find it hard to get started.

For those who aren’t good at deciding on a theme, a recommended approach is to use a story as a reference and create your artwork from it.

Freely choose a narrative, find a scene you like, and express it in your own way through your art.

Because cover illustrations and interior artwork can influence you, it takes skill to see how far you can distance yourself from them and how much originality you can bring.

Try to visualize the setting of the story and make a habit of expanding your imagination from there.