[For 4th Graders] Fun Independent Research Ideas You Can Do With Everyday Materials

Well-Flying Archery

[Playable Craft] So Easy! A High-Flying Bow and Arrow/Archery: How to Make It ② (Toilet Paper Roll, Straw, Rubber Bands, Tissues) [Easy Crafts, Recycled Play, At-Home Play, Indoor Play, Handmade Toy]

Here are some craft ideas for making an archery set using scrap materials.

First, make a slightly larger hole in one spot on a toilet paper roll.

Make the same hole on the opposite side, then cut small slits at the top and bottom and hook a rubber band onto them.

Twist the rubber band once so it forms an X shape.

That completes the bow.

For the arrow, use a straw and a ball made from rolled-up tissue.

Cut one end of the straw into a V shape, then attach the ball—rolled and secured with masking tape—to the other end.

With the arrow finished, thread it onto the bow and try shooting it for fun.

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sasashina

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A truly usable cooler made from cardboard

[Experiment] I tried making a truly usable cooler out of cardboard!

Here’s a DIY cooler idea using cardboard, plastic bottles, a battery pack, and a motor.

First, cut three circular holes in the side of the cardboard box, each the same size as the bottom of a plastic bottle.

Insert and secure plastic bottles cut to one-third length into the holes, using the bottle neck ends.

On the inside of the cardboard, attach a propeller to the side opposite the bottles, and make small holes on both sides.

Mount the motor’s switch on the lid, place ice packs inside, and close the box to finish.

Decorate as you like with vinyl tape or similar materials.

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sasashina

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Vacuum Experiment

[Vacuum] I Tried Vacuum-Sealing Various Things at Home [Experiment]

How about trying an experiment to observe how things change in a vacuum? First, how do we create a vacuum? Let’s try using a vacuum container that’s handy for storing items like sliced bread and dried foods.

It’s a transparent case with a lid, and there’s a hole in the center of the lid where you can attach a pump.

By pressing the pump, you remove the air inside.

Let’s record how items like marshmallows, bananas, snack bags, and plastic bottles change.

Even if you think something hasn’t changed much, letting the air back in makes it quickly shrink and return to its original state, which makes this a fun experiment to watch.

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utatane

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Marble coaster

Marble coaster: Here are the key tips to make it well—perfect for art class or a summer vacation project.

A marble coaster where the marble rolls along a complex track is appealing not only because you can enjoy making it, but also because you can play with the finished piece.

Rather than building the whole thing at once, it’s best to create parts like curves separately and assemble them afterward.

Be sure to use materials that can withstand the marble’s weight, such as milk cartons, and pay close attention to making the track smooth so the marble doesn’t get stuck.

In addition to creating an intricate route, it’s also important to control speed and set the inclines so the complexity of the course really shows.

While keeping balance in mind, try tackling a long track that lets people take their time watching the marble roll.

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kappamaki

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PET-bottle hydrangea

Easy! Make colored hydrangeas with plastic bottles.

Let’s make hydrangea flowers, which bloom vividly from the rainy season through summer, using plastic bottles.

This craft is likely to draw attention not only for its striking appearance but also for the intricate handiwork involved.

First, cut the plastic bottle and sand the entire surface, then blend color onto it using shaved pastel crayons.

After blending the color, cut it into smaller pieces, add slits, and form tiny flowers.

Next, attach wire to each flower, and bundle the wires together to shape them into a hydrangea—then you’re done.

As you work, keep in mind how to blend the pastel crayons to create color gradations and how to arrange the pieces so the result looks even more like a real hydrangea.

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kappamaki

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Let’s make paper from various ingredients

[Research] Making paper from various ingredients [Experiment]

Paper is something we’re always surrounded by—whether it’s notebooks or toilet paper, there are many types of paper closely tied to our daily lives.

This is a free research project that shines a spotlight on paper: let’s try making paper from food and other materials! First, use a blender or similar tool to grind the food into a fine paste.

If it’s hard to blend, try adding a little water.

Use a tofu container and a mesh net like those for sink strainers to press out the moisture, then let it dry for at least a day in a memo-pad size sheet.

Put together your results with photos: which foods turned into something paper-like, and which ones didn’t?

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utatane

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Which condiment makes a 10-yen coin the shiniest?

Summer Science Project: Which Condiment Makes a 10-Yen Coin the Shiniest? [Research]

Many of you have probably seen videos or experiments about polishing 10-yen coins until they shine.

In this experiment, we soak 10-yen coins in various seasonings for five minutes to test which seasoning cleans them best.

Try any seasonings you have at home—soy sauce, oil, mentsuyu (noodle soup base), lemon juice, miso, and more.

Prepare some dulled 10-yen coins, soak each one in a different seasoning, then rinse them with water after five minutes.

Which seasoning will make the 10-yen coin the cleanest?

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utatane

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