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

Handmade Happy Noodles

Looks just like the real thing! Let’s handcraft some happy noodles.

Flatten a cotton ball made from yellow embroidery thread to form a lump of noodles.

Also, wrap another embroidery thread around chopsticks and soak it in water mixed with liquid starch.

Once it dries and you remove it, it will turn into curly noodles, so make some of those too.

Use a small paper cup as the container and attach a package label you designed with a design app.

Put in the noodles and a packet of toppings, then stick on the lid to finish! You might even be able to use it as a keychain if you add some parts.

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sasashina

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Cute mysterious bottle

A cute, mysterious bottle made with dollar-store materials! Perfect for summer vacation and independent research projects. Uses few materials and is fun to make. Easy handmade craft, dollar-store DIY, great for time at home, handmade project.

A mysterious bottle where two liquids won’t mix even when tilted.

It’s a fun idea that works great as interior decor or a small gift.

First, fill the bottle about halfway with baby oil.

Next, add colored water tinted with food coloring.

Put in glitter or holograms as you like, cap it, and decorate the bottle to make it cute—and you’re done! The method is very simple, so even younger elementary school children can enjoy making it.

Along with the craft, try summarizing both your own ideas and the correct explanation for why baby oil and water don’t mix.

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sasashina

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Sparkling Kaleidoscope

Sparkling Kaleidoscope: Perfect for summer vacation crafts and independent research!

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.

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sasashina

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lampshade

I tried making a lampshade! Perfect for a summer vacation project—my child and I had fun making it together 😊

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.

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sasashina

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Gem-like soap

Summer Independent Research: How to Make Gemstone-Like Soaps [Recommended for Girls] [Research]

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.

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sasashina

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Simple salt sand art

@watako.hoiku

Also great for summer projects 🌻 | Salt Sand Art |Simple craftIndependent Researchtranslation

♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – น้องมิแมวว♡ – ⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒊 ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

This is about layering different colors of salt in a glass to create a picture-like, beautiful look.

Start by making colors that match what you want to create: mix paint into the salt to prepare it.

Once your colored salt is ready, simply layer it into the glass.

It’s best to pay attention to the boundaries between colors and avoid overmixing.

After filling the glass, press the layers to compact them—you can aim for more complex shapes this way.

Try various patterns to see what you can achieve.

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kappamaki

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What happens if you microwave soap?

Do you know what happens if you microwave a bar of soap?

A simple experiment you can try right away if you have bar soap lying around at home or in your stock: what happens when you microwave soap? Put a bar of soap in the microwave and turn it on—you’ll be amazed by the fun sight! You can still use the soap afterward, so report on how it feels to use.

You might also capture the changing shape in a video or photos as it heats in the microwave.

It’s an experiment recommended from an ecology and SDGs perspective as well.

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utatane

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