Third graders will be hooked! A collection of science project ideas using everyday materials
For summer vacation independent research, especially for third graders, it’s common to think, “I want to pick an interesting topic, but I don’t want it to be too hard.” Actually, with familiar materials and a little creativity, you can do experiments and crafts packed with scientific discoveries.
Here, we introduce curiosity-sparking ideas like learning about chemical reactions by making bread, observing plant mechanisms with colorful flowers, and reviving a dried-out marker.
Try exciting research and craft projects that will make your friends say, “Awesome!”
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- Paper cup crafts that elementary school kids will love! A collection of fun project ideas
- [Milk Carton Crafts] Fun ideas for elementary school kids. Perfect for summer vacation homework!
- Simple and cute summer project crafts! A collection of ideas for girls that will make you want to create
- For upper-grade boys! Simple yet awesome craft project [Don’t call it lazy]
- Toys you can make from cardboard crafts! Authentic ideas you can build and play with
Ideas for Independent Research Projects Made with Everyday Materials That Third Graders Will Love (71–80)
Snowflakes made of yarn
@hoikushisatomi [From around age 4] Snowflakes with yarnNursery teacher / Childcare workerKids will love it#NurseryTeacherDailyLifeHand gamesworkTranslation#NurseryTeacherThingsKnitting yarn#YarnPlay
♬ Stylish cafe-style BGM – Hiro Hattori
After cutting three disposable chopsticks short, use two of them to make an X shape, then place it over the remaining stick set vertically and secure them with yarn.
Next, wrap more yarn around them to create a snowflake.
When wrapping, go one stick at a time: loop the yarn once around a stick, then move on to the next chopstick.
The yarn doesn’t have to be the same color—switching to a different yarn partway through creates a pretty pattern.
You’ll get a variety of snowflakes depending on how many wraps you make and the types of yarn you use, so try making several kinds.
paper cup light
@chooobo2 This time, I’m introducing how to make the “Original Light from a Paper Cup 💡” that we’ll create in the workshop on November 16 ✨ The picture you draw will glow in the dark 😳! Since Christmas is coming, I drew a tree! Depending on age, just coloring and adding stickers is enough—the pen colors and sticker shadows glow and look so cute 🩷 This time I drew on a clear file, but drawing directly on plastic wrap is also OK 🙆♀️◎ (Use a transparent clear file.) Using a clear file makes it easier to draw than on plastic wrap, and the finished piece is less likely to break! Workshop details are posted in the Instagram Highlights!Made in DecemberChristmas craftsChristmas partyTranslation#HandmadeToysPaper cup craft
♬ All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
Let’s make an exciting item using a paper cup! First, cut a piece of a clear file (plastic folder) to match the size of the paper cup’s rim.
Use a permanent marker to draw any picture you like.
Next, cut out the bottom of the paper cup and decorate the sides with stickers, etc.
Finally, place the drawing you made on the rim side of the paper cup, cover it with plastic wrap from above, and secure it with a rubber band—that’s it! If you shine a light through the hole where you cut out the bottom and aim it at a wall, your picture will be projected on the wall.
It looks perfect for Halloween or Christmas too.
Try playing with it in a dark room!
For demon-slaying only! Bean-throwing rubber band gun
Oni-busting only! Here’s how to make a bean-throwing rubber band popper.
Prepare chopsticks, roasted soybeans (fukumame), construction paper, tape, scissors, and rubber bands.
Roll the construction paper into a tube, then secure the tube with rubber bands by clamping it between a pair of chopsticks folded in half.
The key is to wrap the rubber bands tightly so they don’t loosen.
Be careful not to cut your hand on the ends of the chopsticks.
When launching, dent the tip of the paper tube, hook on a rubber band, set it, and play.
When playing, don’t aim at people and make sure to play safely.
A turtle that runs on rubber power!
Moving toys are appealing no matter how old you are, and they’re especially popular with lower-grade elementary school kids.
This is a paper cup turtle craft that zooms forward using rubber-band power hidden in its shell.
First, cut slits halfway down a paper cup and fold them in to make the legs.
The remaining part becomes the body.
For the face, stick round stickers on as eyes to make it cute.
Take a used AA battery, wrap a rubber band around it, attach kite string with cellophane tape, and set the mechanism inside the turtle’s shell.
Even though it’s a turtle, it moves surprisingly fast and with big motions—so much fun!
A beanbag-toss game using ping-pong balls
Here’s a fun and engaging game using ping-pong balls: a ball-toss challenge.
Gather chopsticks, clothespins, tape, and paper cups to make it.
When building the launcher, be mindful of the angle as you fix the chopsticks in place with tape.
Secure them firmly with tape and test to make sure it works properly as you build.
Attach a pair of plastic bottle caps to the back end of the chopsticks, and it’s complete.
You can decorate it however you like.
Stick paper cups on the wall to create goals, then try shooting from the launcher and have fun playing!
Paper yo-yo made from disposable chopsticks and wrapping paper
Let me introduce a paper yo-yo made from chopsticks and wrapping paper that’s fun to stretch and snap back.
Prepare some chopsticks and wrapping paper, and let’s get started.
Measure the length and cut the wrapping paper into a rectangle, then join the pieces with glue or tape.
Secure a chopstick with tape and roll the paper around it.
The key is to roll it tightly so there are no gaps.
Finish with decorations, and it’s done.
Try different wrapping papers to make your own original paper yo-yo and have fun! Be safe and don’t aim it at people.
Target-throwing game with disposable chopsticks and clothespins
Let me introduce a target-shooting game that launches with a burst of energy using chopsticks and a clothespin.
Prepare two chopsticks, a clothespin, tape, and a plastic bottle cap to make it.
For the launcher, clip the clothespin’s metal spring onto a chopstick, then tape the clothespin’s handle and the chopstick together to form the base.
Cut a slit in the plastic bottle cap and fasten it to the chopstick with a rubber band.
Make a target out of a milk carton and draw point values on it.
Set a marble-sized ball on the finished launcher and try aiming at the target.
Have fun seeing how many points you can score!