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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Ideas for Independent Research Projects Using Everyday Materials That Will Captivate Third Graders (111–120)
I tried expressing sound with salt
Let’s observe how salt patterns change with sound! Tape a black plastic bag over a bowl, then poke a small hole to keep the air pressure inside the bowl stable.
Wipe the surface with a damp tissue to remove static electricity, and sprinkle salt on top.
Now you’re ready—try making different sounds near the bowl, such as low and high voices.
The salt will respond to the sound and move, creating various patterns.
It will be helpful to note which sounds produced which patterns and to take photos, making it easier to compile your report.
Edible jewels
If you’re unsure what to do for your independent research project, why not try making “edible jewels”? You’ll need 150 g granulated sugar, 100 ml water, 2 g agar, and a suitable amount of food coloring or syrup.
Put the sugar, water, and agar in a saucepan and heat.
Once it boils, reduce to low heat and stir well until it thickens.
When it has thickened, pour about half into a tray, then divide the rest into several containers and add color.
Drip the colored mixtures little by little into the liquid in the tray to create a marble pattern.
Chill in the refrigerator until set, then cut into your preferred sizes and shapes.
Let them dry in a well-ventilated place for 2–3 days, and they’re ready!
Colored water experiment! Which color gets hottest?
Here’s an experiment that uses the strong sunlight of summer with colored water.
First, make colored water in plastic cups.
Try preparing several colors such as white, red, blue, green, and black.
Then leave them in a sunny spot for a while.
After that, when you touch each cup, the black one should feel warm.
It’s interesting that water, which we usually imagine as cool, can become hot, isn’t it? Try doing the activity while thinking about why that happens.
Another tip is to present the results in a quiz format.
An hourglass made of straws
@silk_haru3mama Summer vacation craft 🌻 It's fun—when you flip it over like an hourglass, the straws flow down! ⌛️#Summer VacationSummer Vacation Craft#AtHomePlay#HandmadeToysworkEducational toy#craft
♬ Another Day of Sun from La La Land [ORIGINAL COVER] – SoundWorks
Let’s make a toy where short straws fall like an hourglass.
First, cut a wire to 40 cm and wrap it around a pencil to make a spring.
Prepare two small paper cups and make a hole in the center of each bottom; thread one cup onto one end of the spring and secure it.
Stretch the spring and thread short, cut pieces of straw onto it.
Then thread and secure the other paper cup on the opposite end.
To prevent the spring from expanding and contracting, bridge two chopsticks between the two cups and glue them in place, and you’re done! Decorate the paper cups and chopsticks with masking tape or stickers to make it cute.
Bead and pipe cleaner ideas
@n.annlee321 ▼For details on materials, click here▼ 📕My book has been reprinted—thank you so much! 😭🙏🥺❤️ The link is in my profile 🥰 🔎 “New Handmade Toys” (Available on Amazon, Rakuten, and in bookstores!) Learn through play! Simple, fun ideas 💡 ☆*:.｡.┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈.｡.:*☆ I share fun activities you can enjoy with kids☺️ I’m An 🌸 Bracelets made with beads and pipe cleaners ✨ Make them short and they work as cable ties too♪ (I use them all the time) You can decorate jars, use them as headbands for stuffed animals… so many ways to use them!!! Pipe cleaners keep beads from slipping, so they’re easy for kids to handle! Threading beads onto the wire helps kids focus and improves fine motor skills 😊 I tried different ways to finish the ends, and the method in the video is the simplest and cleanest! The tightly coiled pipe cleaner looks like a pom‑pom—so cute, right? 😆💕 You can enjoy arranging bead patterns and adjusting the length ✨ I used 30 cm pipe cleaners. Beads around 8 mm to 1 cm are easy for kids to handle! Pipe cleaners also fit through 6 mm beads, so choose what you like 🙌 Pipe cleaners will basically fit through anything except ultra‑tiny beads! ☆*:.｡.┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈.｡.:*☆ Thanks so much for watching 😆 I’m a mom of a 4‑ and 7‑year‑old who love making and playing (Toy Consultant & Picture Book Instructor). I share crafts, play ideas, and handmade picture books—fun things to enjoy with kids ♡ I’d be happy if we can be friends!#HandmadeToyswork#I love craftsChildcare#LifeWithKidsLife with children#AtHomePlay#EducationalPlayEducationalFinger Dexterity Education#tiktok classroom
♬ Talking Box (Dirty Pop Remix) – WurtS
Thread beads onto pipe cleaners to make all kinds of little accessories.
First curl one end of the pipe cleaner, then thread on a bead.
Insert the curled tip into the bead’s hole, pull the other side to lock it in place, and after that just add your favorite beads and form a loop.
Make it larger for a bracelet, or use flower-shaped beads to create a flower crown for a doll.
You can also use them for cable ties, tiny bottle decorations, and many other situations.
Because you’re using pipe cleaners, the beads don’t slip off easily after threading, making this an easy activity for toddlers and lower-grade elementary school children.
Making felt flowers
@n.annlee321 Felt flower series ☺️ Pipe cleaners are pretty handy too 👍#tiktok classroom#StayHomeTimeLife with childrenwork
♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Why not try making flowers that never wilt using felt and pipe cleaners? It’s very easy and cute.
First, cut petals out of felt.
Slightly fold the base of each petal and snip along the crease—this is where you’ll thread the pipe cleaner later.
Cut a light green pipe cleaner into three 4 cm pieces.
Lay two pieces in an X shape, then place the third straight across and twist to form the stamen.
Wrap a green pipe cleaner around to make the stem, and wrap a yellow pipe cleaner around the tip of the stamen to represent the pollen.
Finally, thread the petals onto the stem and glue them in place to finish.
Try making your favorite flowers!
Easy Ice Bazooka
@picoton_craft A bazooka you can make with a balloon and a paper cup ✨✨ The “Takoyaki Bazooka” I made before was really popular, so I made an “ice cream version” 🍨 It’s a blast, so definitely give it a try 💕Life with children #HandmadeToysSimple craft #AtHomePlay
♬ summertime – cinnamons
Let’s make an Ice Bazooka that everyone can play with after making it! First, take a sheet of origami cut in half and draw your favorite ice cream on it.
Wrap it around a rolled piece of paper, grip it together, and secure it with tape.
That completes the bazooka ammo.
Next, cut out the bottom of a brown paper cup and draw a cone pattern on it.
Take a balloon with the tip of the part that inflates slightly trimmed, stretch it over the bottom of the paper cup, and tape it in place.
Finally, make a target using a paper cup and construction paper, and you’re done! Pull the balloon to launch your Ice Bazooka and aim for a high score!