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[For 2nd Graders] Make it with everyday materials! Irresistibly engaging ideas for independent research projects
For summer vacation independent study projects, especially for second graders, it’s common to wonder, “What should I do?” Here, we introduce craft and experiment ideas you can enjoy with excitement using familiar materials.
From mysterious color-changing experiments to a diorama packed with ocean memories and a sparkling hourglass, there are plenty of activities that both boys and girls will enjoy.
Be sure to find a wonderful independent study project to go along with your summer vacation memories!
[For 2nd Graders] Make it with everyday materials! Irresistible independent research ideas (1–10)
I wonder what color it will be?
If it’s a fun experiment that feels like an extension of play, everyone will be eager to try it, right? This one can be enjoyed like playing with colored water using just paint, water, and a plastic bottle.
First, fill the plastic bottle with water and dab a little paint on the inside of the cap.
Close the cap tightly and give it a vigorous shake! The plain water instantly turns into colored water.
Try putting two or three colors of paint on the underside of the cap and predict, “What color will it make when they mix?” You might even create a color with no name!
Sparkling hourglass
A cute hourglass made using glitter instead of sand.
What you’ll need: glitter from a 100-yen shop, two small bottles, a clear file folder, glue, scissors, etc.
First, cut the clear file into a circle to match the opening of the container and make a hole for the “sand” to fall through.
After cutting a donut-shaped piece, adjust how the glitter falls by taping over the hole as needed.
Next, pour your preferred glitter into the container and glue the clear file with the hole onto the mouth of the container.
If you want to decorate the bottles, do it before attaching the two bottles together!
Ocean diorama
A diorama that can capture your summer beach memories.
You can easily make it with items from the dollar store, and it doesn’t take up much space, which is great.
First, mix ocher-colored paint into paper clay and attach it at a slight angle to the bottom of a jar with glue.
Add more glue on top, sprinkle sand, then mix blue pastel shavings (made with a tea strainer) with clear resin.
Create waves using clear resin and white paint, and brush them on to complete the sea.
After that, customize it to match your own memories with items like watermelon, swim rings, shells, and fish.
Since making people is hard, representing yourselves as animals—like rabbits or bears—results in a unique and cute piece!
Let’s make a snow globe.
Let’s make unique snow globes that open up all kinds of worlds through children’s free imagination! You’ll need an empty jar, liquid laundry starch or glue, purified water, and items to go inside like figurines, glitter, and beads.
The best part is that you can easily get everything at a 100-yen shop.
First, firmly glue a piece of sponge to the inside of the jar lid with a hot glue gun.
Attach the figurines on top of the sponge, then pour liquid laundry starch and purified water into the jar, add glitter, and close the lid tightly—that’s it! Adding a little bit of paint to tint the water also looks beautiful.
Float or Sink? An Experiment Using Vegetables
Let’s try a science project experiment using various vegetables you have at home.
Prepare a large, fairly deep bucket or aquarium, fill it with water, and place the vegetables into the water one by one to see whether they sink to the bottom or float.
Try this with different kinds of vegetables: for example, compare a large tomato and a cherry tomato to see if size makes a difference even within the same kind of vegetable.
You might discover unexpected results, like a heavy, firm vegetable you thought would sink actually floating.
This experiment is likely to lead to more discoveries than you might have predicted.
Let’s make it with beads and pipe cleaners
If your child is interested in crafts, sewing, or making accessories but isn’t quite ready to use needles or a sewing machine, we recommend projects using pipe cleaners and beads.
Use larger beads that fit onto pipe cleaners and try making a bracelet.
Gather three pipe cleaners together and thread a bead onto the middle.
Cross the left and right pipe cleaners and braid the three strands.
Thread another bead onto the middle, braid again, and repeat.
Shape it into a circle to fit the wrist, and finish by securing the ends so no wire sticks out.
Your bracelet is complete!
Gem that changes color with temperature
How about making a mysterious and stylish charm using a DIY kit that changes color with temperature? First, reinforce the three sides of a zippered bag—other than the opening—with cellophane tape.
Put the gemstone powder and the specified amount of water into the bag, knead and mix it well, and leave it overnight.
Then place the contents into a capsule and thread a chain through it—that’s it.
Wondering “why does it change color depending on the temperature?” can be a great opportunity to spark curiosity and a spirit of inquiry.