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 Made with Everyday Materials That Third Graders Will Love (51–60)
Let’s play with paper blocks!
Prepare some construction paper and try playing with paper blocks.
Using long, narrow strips of construction paper, make triangles, circles, and squares, then assemble them into artworks.
By folding or curling the narrow strips, you can express a variety of shapes.
Attaching the parts you’ve made with glue or clear tape and combining them will broaden the range of your creations even more.
As children think about shapes and combine them to make pieces, they can expand their imaginations.
You can also mount the combined works on construction paper for display.
For pieces with movement, hanging them with thread is also recommended.
How to make rainbow punch
Rainbow punch is perfect for a science project where you can learn about color and state changes.
Divide shaved ice syrup into several cups and mix in your favorite colors.
Dissolve gelatin in hot water and combine it with each colored syrup, then chill in the refrigerator to set into jelly.
Place the colorful jellies in a glass, and finally pour in soda water—your rainbow drink will sparkle with fizzy bubbles.
By observing the transformation of gelatin from liquid to solid and how it interacts with carbonated water, you can deepen your understanding of color and temperature-related state changes.
It’s an idea that’s visually fun and scientifically rich, letting you enjoy both observation and experimentation.
How to make jelly that sets instantly
Here’s how to make a beautiful jelly with sparkling, colorful beads.
Make the jelly base with sodium alginate, then gently pour a liquid colored with shaved ice syrup or food coloring into water containing dissolved calcium lactate.
Like magic, soft jelly sets instantly.
This happens because alginic acid and calcium undergo a chemical reaction that forms a jelly-like membrane.
Shine a light on it for an even more enchanting effect.
By experimenting with color combinations and shapes, you can create pieces that are visually delightful for kids.
It’s a perfect idea for an independent study project full of wonder, blending science with crafts.
disposable chopstick coaster
Introducing a chopstick coaster that lets you feel the warmth of wood.
Gather disposable chopsticks, glue, sanding sealer, varnish, and a brush, and let’s get started.
Glue chopsticks around the base board.
If you score the chopsticks with a utility knife before splitting them, they’ll break cleanly.
Lightly sand the tips to round them off.
Continue gluing the chopsticks from the outside toward the inside.
Adjust the size of the chopsticks as you go, fitting them while slightly changing the angle.
Brush on varnish and let it dry, and you’re done.
Give it a try!
Ideas for Independent Research Projects (61–70) That Third Graders Will Love: Made with Everyday Materials
Dinosaur Snow Globe
Many children love dinosaurs, don’t they? Some probably have lots of dinosaur merchandise, too.
So let’s make a summer vacation project using dinosaurs: a snow globe in a glass container filled with liquid laundry starch (or school glue) and purified water.
Use a hot glue gun to attach a dinosaur figurine to the inside of the glass lid.
Be careful when using the glue gun, as it gets very hot.
Pour the laundry starch (or glue) and purified water into the container, then tint it with paint in your favorite color.
If you add glitter, you’ll get a sparkly, authentic-looking snow globe.
Close the lid and turn it upside down, and you’ll have a beautiful snow globe with a dinosaur inside.
Insect interior
This is an idea for turning insect specimens into stylish interior decor.
When you think of specimens, you might picture them in a box, but what we’re introducing here uses a jar.
You’ll need a jar with a cork lid, an acrylic sheet, and an insect specimen.
The process is simple: first, cut the acrylic sheet to a size that fits inside the jar.
Next, make a slit in the cork lid, insert the cut acrylic sheet, and secure it with adhesive.
Finally, attach the insect specimen to the acrylic sheet and close the lid to finish.
Using a clear acrylic sheet makes it look as if the insect is floating inside the jar, creating a very chic look.
Sea memo stand
Some families may go swimming at the beach during summer vacation, right? When we think of the hot summer, many children surely picture the sea.
So why not make a memo stand using resin with an ocean theme? Prepare parts to embed in the resin, such as seashells, sea creatures, and clear or blue stones.
Of course, it’s also nice to include shells you picked up at the beach.
Place your favorite parts and the memo stand into a container, then pour in the resin.
After that, leave it undisturbed for the specified time.
At this stage, the key is to prevent dust and debris from getting in—for example, by placing the piece in a box.
If you include seashells you collected at the beach, you can create a lovely piece that captures your summer memories.