Wonderful independent research

[For 2nd Graders] Make it with everyday materials! Irresistibly engaging ideas for independent research projects

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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 free research project ideas (31–40)

How to make a chopstick tree

[Christmas Craft] Easy with chopsticks and yarn! How to make a Chopstick Tree [Ashitaba Channel]

How to make a chopstick tree

Here’s how to make a chopstick tree that lets you enjoy a cozy nighttime atmosphere when you light it up.

Prepare chopsticks, yarn, glue, and decorations like beads, then get started.

First, build the tree’s frame with chopsticks.

Wrap yarn evenly around the base.

For a summery feel, you could use colors like light blue or pale green.

Once you decorate it with summer-themed items such as watermelon or fish-shaped wind chimes, your chopstick tree is complete.

It’s sure to captivate elementary school kids, too.

Try changing the seasonal theme as you make it—you might discover something new each time.

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Cute herbarium

[100-Yen DIY] Easy, Cute Herbarium – Perfect for a Summer Vacation Craft! Daiso Arrangement

Cute herbarium

Why not try making a herbarium, a popular interior decoration? Prepare a container, your favorite flowers and beads, and baby oil.

First, place the flowers and beads into the container, being careful not to overfill it.

Also, if anything tends to float when put in liquid, soak it in the liquid beforehand.

Once you’ve added all the parts, slowly pour in the baby oil, close the container lid, and it’s done.

You can also focus on choosing a stylish container and decorate it with stickers or washi tape to make it extra cute.

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Gem-like soap

Summer Independent Research: How to Make Gemstone-Like Soaps [Recommended for Girls] [Research]

Gem-like soap

Gemstone soaps are available as DIY kits, but they’re easy to make as long as you have glycerin soap and coloring.

Cut the glycerin soap into small pieces and place them in a container, then heat in a microwave at 500W for 10 seconds.

Mix in your favorite colorant to add color, and add aroma for fragrance.

Once you’ve made a few colors, pour them into another container in layers and let them set—that’s it! Try changing the color combinations and see what kinds of gemstones you can create.

Using a clear soap base also gives a light, airy look and is highly recommended.

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Handmade toy from a cheese box

@n.annlee321
Cheese boxes are cute, aren’t they? 🥰Parenting Childcare Childcare #HandmadeToys #100-yen-shop #100-yen shop DIY Scrap Material Crafting work
♬ Kekka Orai – My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Opening Theme Song – Kocchi no Kento

Here’s how to make a banana tart toy that can be used both as a trinket box and for pretend play.

All you need is a round empty cheese box and some felt.

First, use a hot glue gun to apply evenly spaced vertical lines around the side of the box lid.

Once dry, attach brown felt with double-sided tape to create the distinctive tart base.

Cover the top’s packaging surface with white felt, then prepare three long, thin strips of white felt and braid them; glue the braid along the edge.

Arrange felt bananas on top, paint the bottom part of the box brown, and you’re done.

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Handmade Happy Noodles

@n.annlee321
A pretty surprising way to make noodles 🤣 The packaging turned out so cute 🥹💓#DesignedWithCanva #CanvaPartner
♬ Electro Swing with retro cool brass & piano(1088312) – Ponetto

Looks just like the real thing! Let’s handcraft some happy noodles.

Flatten a cotton ball made from yellow embroidery thread to form a lump of noodles.

Also, wrap another embroidery thread around chopsticks and soak it in water mixed with liquid starch.

Once it dries and you remove it, it will turn into curly noodles, so make some of those too.

Use a small paper cup as the container and attach a package label you designed with a design app.

Put in the noodles and a packet of toppings, then stick on the lid to finish! You might even be able to use it as a keychain if you add some parts.

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[For 2nd Graders] Make It with Everyday Materials! Irresistible Independent Research Ideas (41–50)

Cute mysterious bottle

A cute, mysterious bottle made with dollar-store materials! Perfect for summer vacation and independent research projects. Uses few materials and is fun to make. Easy handmade craft, dollar-store DIY, great for time at home, handmade project.

Cute mysterious bottle

A mysterious bottle where two liquids won’t mix even when tilted.

It’s a fun idea that works great as interior decor or a small gift.

First, fill the bottle about halfway with baby oil.

Next, add colored water tinted with food coloring.

Put in glitter or holograms as you like, cap it, and decorate the bottle to make it cute—and you’re done! The method is very simple, so even younger elementary school children can enjoy making it.

Along with the craft, try summarizing both your own ideas and the correct explanation for why baby oil and water don’t mix.

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Puru-Koro Soap

Easy handmade: How to make squishy round soap! Portable soap for the COVID era. Handwashing, building a handwashing habit. Simple and fun handmade craft. Stay-at-home time, summer vacation, independent research, perfect for DIY!

Puru-Koro Soap

It’s like a jewel! Let me show you how to make cute, jiggly soap.

You’ll need liquid hand soap, gelatin, hot water, and food coloring.

Dissolve the gelatin in hot water, then mix in the liquid hand soap.

The trick is to stir slowly so it doesn’t foam.

Add food coloring, pour into a flat container, and chill in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours.

Then just cut it into your favorite shapes and you’re done! It looks adorable and might make handwashing more fun.

Just be careful to prevent small children from accidentally swallowing it.

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