DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love: ideas you can make with everyday materials
For a summer vacation independent research craft project, you’ll want ideas that really grab boys’ interest.
In this article, we introduce craft ideas that boys can get absorbed in—like making a capsule toy (gachapon) machine out of cardboard, creating genuine fishing gear with a reel, and handcrafting air hockey or a basketball game.
They all look impressive yet can be made with everyday materials.
How about creating fun summer memories by playing with your favorite project together with friends?
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Hands-on science projects that elementary school boys will love! Ideas you can make with everyday materials (11–20)
Milk carton airplane
You can make an airplane out of an empty milk carton! Just cut the carton into the specified shapes with scissors and attach chopsticks and a straw with tape.
There are some finer steps too—like shaping it neatly with a spray can or making small slits with a utility knife—so the crafting process is really fun.
The airplane flies well, so take it outside and play to your heart’s content.
You can also use thick paper or craft paper instead of a milk carton, so try drawing pictures or patterns to create your own original airplane!
PythagoraSwitch
A hands-on research project for upper elementary students: let’s try building a “Pythagora Device,” familiar from NHK’s children’s program Pythagora Switch! A Pythagora Device is a contraption where you create a course with various mechanisms and roll a marble or similar object to reach the goal.
You’ll build the device using everyday items like paper, paperclips, rulers, and erasers.
You can buy rails for rolling the marble, but since it’s a special project, it’s also great to make them yourself using cardboard and chopsticks.
You can make the device as elaborate as you want, so plan a design that matches the number of days you have to work on it!
Projector
You might be thinking, “Can you really make a projector?” Well, you can.
And with just a few materials you can get at a 100-yen shop, using a super simple basic mechanism.
Cut a hole in a cardboard box and attach a magnifying glass there.
Then place a smartphone or any device that can play video inside the box, and you’re done! That’s all it takes to turn it into a proper projector.
It’s an idea that makes use of the properties of a convex lens—the same type of lens used in magnifying glasses and real projectors.
Let’s make a super ball
Did you know you can make a super ball yourself? You’ll need PVA laundry glue, salt, and food coloring or paint.
First, dissolve 40 g of salt in water and add color, then pour the saltwater into the glue and stir with a chopstick.
You’ll see a gooey mass start to form around the chopstick.
Gather it up and blot the moisture with a paper towel, and you’ll have an easy homemade super ball.
Depending on the batch, some bounce very well and others less so, but try adding your favorite colors and make all kinds of super balls!
Infinity Cube made from a milk carton
The endlessly flippable infinity cube is so much fun, isn’t it? Let’s make one using milk cartons.
First, wash and dry the cartons, then prepare two cartons with the top and bottom cut off.
Cut each one into eight vertical strips to make 16 long, narrow pieces.
Next, use two pieces to make one cube.
There’s a trick to how the cubes are connected, so be careful not to connect them the wrong way.
Once you’ve connected them correctly, stick origami paper on top, and you’re done.
Optical illusions and crafts
Do you know about optical illusions? The human brain processes information coming through the eyes by fitting it to our past experiences and common sense, but optical illusions can make the world we see differ from the real one.
In this video, we use illusions to create devices that make balls and other objects move in impossible ways.
Because your eyes are being tricked, the movement of the balls looks very strange.
It’s suitable for upper elementary school students and above, and depending on the project, it looks like you could make one in a day.
DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love! Ideas you can make with everyday materials (21–30)
10-yen game
How about making a 10-yen game where you flick a 10-yen coin to reach the goal? The materials are an MDF board, ice cream sticks, a hard card case, and rubber bands.
Since this craft uses a hot glue gun, handle it with care.
Glue ice cream sticks onto the MDF board to create left and right lanes for the 10-yen coin to pass through.
For the launcher, attach a striker made from ice cream sticks and hook on rubber bands.
Once the lanes are ready, add illustrations and cover the board with a hard card case to finish! Try making it with any design you like.