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!”
- For summer vacation homework! Simple and amazing crafts for elementary school students that you’ll want to make after seeing them
- Simple yet amazing crafts: craft ideas that elementary school students will want to make
- DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love: ideas you can make with everyday materials
- [Summer Vacation Crafts for Lower Grades] Make It with Everyday Materials! Simple Yet Awesome Craft Ideas
- Fun crafts using straws
- Recommended for elementary school students! Science fair topics & craft ideas
- Recommended for lower elementary school students! A collection of plastic bottle craft ideas made with everyday materials.
- [For 4th Graders] Fun Independent Research Ideas You Can Do With Everyday Materials
- 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 Using Everyday Materials That Will Fascinate 3rd Graders (91–100)
Cute goldfish scooping
When you think of summer, you think of festivals—and goldfish scooping, right? Let’s make a cute, handmade goldfish scooping game and have some fun! Prepare a cardboard box as the base and cut several slits into the sides.
Thread a thick blue string across the slits to represent water and create an aquarium.
Next, cut a paper cup to make a ring from the rim.
Attach a popsicle stick as the handle, and glue tissue paper to the inside of the ring to complete the poi (scooper).
Finally, tie individually wrapped candies with rubber bands, add eyes to make goldfish, and you’re done.
Arrange the goldfish in the aquarium and try scooping them up with the poi!
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.
Sparkling Kaleidoscope
If you’re unsure what to make for your summer vacation craft project, why not try a sparkling kaleidoscope? You can make this kaleidoscope with recycled materials and items from the 100-yen shop.
Cut a hard plastic case and form it into a triangular prism, then place beads in the bottom and secure them.
On the opposite end, attach a piece of black construction paper with a peephole.
Glue a milk carton—lined on the inside with black construction paper—around the triangular prism, and decorate it as you like to finish.
While kaleidoscopes typically use mirrors, in this idea the hard plastic case serves that role.
Sparkling hourglass
Let’s make a cute, sparkly hourglass that doubles as interior decor.
Prepare two small bottles, glitter to use as sand, a clear plastic file sheet, and decorative parts.
Cut the clear file slightly larger than the bottle opening and make a hole in the center for the glitter to pass through.
Attach tape and half-cover the hole, then glue it to the bottle.
Add the glitter and glue on the other bottle.
Finish it off cutely with decorative parts.
After adding the glitter, be careful not to turn it over until the adhesive has dried.
lampshade
Here’s a lampshade idea that also works as room decor.
Brush glue mixed with water onto an inflated balloon, then stick on small torn pieces of washi paper.
For sturdiness, layer the washi several times until the balloon’s color isn’t very visible.
Be sure to leave an opening where the light will go.
Since washi is white, use tissue paper if you want to add color.
Once it’s completely dry, pop the balloon and remove it, then secure a wire along the inside edge of the opening for the light to finish it off.
Experimenting with resin?!
If you want to try your hand at making things with resin, why not purchase a resin craft kit? It comes with all the basic materials and tools, so you can start creating right away.
Deciding what shape to make and which parts to decorate with—and bringing your ideas to life—is a lot of fun.
While resin is often used for crafts, you can also do experiments, such as comparing how quickly different resin liquids cure! If it’s your first time, please work together with a parent or guardian.
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.