Third graders will be hooked! A collection of science project ideas using everyday materials

paper cup trumpet

[Instrument Craft] Paper Cup Trumpet (A Trumpet Like a String Telephone) [Easy Craft] Handmade Toy with Chopsticks

This is a craft using a paper cup that can produce a trumpet-like sound when you pull the string sharply.

First, make a hole in the bottom of the paper cup, thread a string through it, and secure it with a short, folded toothpick so the string doesn’t slip out.

Then, when you pull the string vigorously, the impact on the string is transmitted to the paper cup, creating a trumpet-like sound.

You can pull the string with your hand, but using chopsticks is also recommended—try it out and see how the sound changes.

Since just building the mechanism can look simple, it’s also important to add your own decorations to the paper cup.

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kappamaki

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The mechanism of sound! Paper cup crow

3rd grade elementary science: How sound works — paper cup crow

How about using a paper cup to mimic the sound of a crow? It’s very easy to make! First, poke a hole in the bottom of a paper cup with a toothpick.

Next, thread a piece of string through the cup.

Finally, tie a toothpick to the end of the string inside the cup so it won’t slip out—that’s it! If you pinch and move the string sticking out from the bottom while gripping it with a piece of wet kitchen paper, it will produce a sound just like a crow’s call! The volume and pitch change depending on how you move and shake your fingers, so try out different techniques and see what kinds of sounds you can make.

A climbing ladybug!

Easy magnet craft! A climbing ladybug! Recycle plastic wrap and toilet paper cores! #crafts #handmadeToys #summerVacationCrafts #recycledCrafts

Here’s how to make a ladybug toy you can play with using magnets.

First, decorate a half-sphere of Styrofoam to look like a ladybug using pens or any materials you like.

Attach a magnet to the back of the ladybug with double-sided tape.

Next, flatten a toilet paper tube and cut it in half.

Use double-sided tape to fix the cut piece around a wooden stick to form a ring, then attach a magnet so it attracts the ladybug’s magnet.

Make a “tree” using a plastic wrap (cling film) tube, and insert the stick inside the tube.

When you move the stick up and down, the ladybug will move too! It’s also fun to make other bugs or your favorite characters instead of a ladybug, so give it a try!

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kepiko

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A climbing ladybug!

Easy magnet craft! A climbing ladybug! Recycle plastic wrap and toilet paper cores! #crafts #handmadeToys #summerVacationCrafts #recycledCrafts

Here’s how to make a ladybug toy you can play with using magnets.

First, decorate a half-sphere of Styrofoam to look like a ladybug using pens or any materials you like.

Attach a magnet to the back of the ladybug with double-sided tape.

Next, flatten a toilet paper tube and cut it in half.

Use double-sided tape to fix the cut piece around a wooden stick to form a ring, then attach a magnet so it attracts the ladybug’s magnet.

Make a “tree” using a plastic wrap (cling film) tube, and insert the stick inside the tube.

When you move the stick up and down, the ladybug will move too! It’s also fun to make other bugs or your favorite characters instead of a ladybug, so give it a try!

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kepiko

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A toy that uses a lid

@n.annlee321

Usable... lid!!!TranslationHaagen-Dazs hand-made toy 100-yen shop DIY#KindergartenMom#Kindergartentranslation#ElementarySchoolMom

♬ Double Double FIGHT! – Intro ver. – CANDY TUNE

Haagen-Dazs is hugely popular for its ice cream.

How about turning the lid—something you’d usually throw away—into a cute science project? In this video, they put sequins inside to make a shaker-style lid, and they also poke in pipe-cleaner flowers to create a little trinket box.

With a bit of creativity, you can use lids from other ice creams to make all kinds of toys.

For example, how about making menko (slap-battle cards)? The weight and thickness seem just right.

With bottle-milk caps, you could make character medals.

If you coat them with gold or silver paper, you’ll get super cool-looking medals.

Cute herbarium

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

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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sasashina

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Torokira Keychain

Easy craft: glossy jelly keychains! Simple handmade project with 100-yen shop materials. Perfect for at-home time, summer vacation, and free craft or science projects. Great for beginners too. [100-yen DIY]

Do you know those cute accessories with a little doll floating in a tiny plastic bag? You often see them as prizes at festival raffles, but actually, you can make them yourself.

You only need items mostly from a 100-yen shop—like a soft card holder, beads and glitter, liquid laundry starch, and masking tape—so it’s a budget-friendly craft project.

Add cutouts of your favorite character or idol to the decorations, and it instantly becomes merch for your fave! You’ll want to make them for everyone!