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

Stone painting

Summer Vacation Craft Series ♡ Part 3: Easy Stone Painting (Stone Art) [Koujoucho] DIY

During summer vacation, there are times when you go out with your family to rivers or mountains, right? When you do, why not try picking up stones and making art with them? Of course, stones you’ve collected from around your neighborhood are fine, too.

First, paint the stones you’ve prepared with white acrylic paint.

This small extra step will help your work turn out beautifully.

Then, use acrylic paints to create animals, plants, and more by adding color.

If you also use items like pipe cleaners or empty cans, you can make pieces that look very realistic.

Please use this as a reference and give it a try!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Bird call making

Super easy summer vacation homework! Make a bird call with your kids! Try talking to wild birds while camping or hiking!

As a craft project perfect for children who love nature observation, I recommend making a bird call.

Prepare a hand-sized wooden branch and drill a small hole in the center.

Screw in a metal part called an eye nut, and when you twist it so the wood and metal rub against each other, it produces a sound like birdsong.

Real birds may sometimes respond to this sound, so trying it out in a park after making it is part of the fun.

The volume and pitch change depending on the type of wood and the depth of the hole, so by experimenting and recording the differences, you can enhance the quality of the project as an independent study.

It’s a hands-on idea that lets kids connect with nature while sparking curiosity about how sound works.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mutō

Report a problem

Let’s play with paper blocks!

Anywhere Art Summer Vacation Craft: 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.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

How to make rainbow punch

[Independent Research] How to Make “Rainbow Punch” – Science Experiment: Science Sweets

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.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mutō

Report a problem

How to make jelly that sets instantly

How to make the instant-setting jelly candy from the sweets aisle yourself—how does it work?

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.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mutō

Report a problem

stone art

Rock art with kids: perfect for summer vacation independent research, free craft projects, and making memories

Let’s make stone art using materials close at hand, like those from rivers and parks.

Start by collecting stones and twigs.

Choosing stones without sharp edges will help you create cute pieces.

Also, selecting twigs with branches is a key tip for making a lovely work.

Arrange the stones and twigs you found on a frame or cork board, which you can also buy at a 100-yen shop.

As children think, design, and create on their own, it boosts their imagination.

You can paint the pieces, and it’s also nice to add pinecones, leaves, and other items besides stones and twigs.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Cute lantern made with disposable chopsticks

@mami_toys

#CapCut#tiktok#handmadeHandmadeHandmadework#fyp#foryou#share#diyLightlike#Healing#epResource Recovery#cute#😍#💖#🌈

Looping Through the Night – Chiahi Sato

Let me introduce a cute lantern you can make with disposable chopsticks—fun to display and enjoy.

Prepare chopsticks, glue, and washi paper.

Cut the chopsticks and build the lantern’s frame.

The key is to keep an eye on the balance so the frame doesn’t shift out of place.

Attach washi paper from the back to create the lantern’s window sections.

Finally, glue the frames together to finish.

It’s also recommended to use your favorite colors for the window sections.

The light that leaks through the gaps between the chopsticks looks absolutely beautiful.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mayumi

Report a problem