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)
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 dinosaur fossils
Let’s make some exciting dinosaur fossils! First, think about what kind of fossil you want to create, then draw your fossil illustration on a sheet of foam board (styrene paper).
Cut out the fossil shapes with scissors.
Glue the cut foam pieces onto cardboard to form your design.
Paint it with acrylic paints.
When it’s finished, attach a decorative ribbon to the back so you can display it.
It’s also a good idea to round off the corners of the cardboard.
Have fun creating your very own original fossil!
Paper Cup Rocket
Here’s an idea for a paper cup rocket that’s easy to make and flies really well! Prepare two paper cups.
You’ll use one as a launcher and turn the other into the rocket.
On the rocket cup, make slits at the top rim in four directions—up, down, left, and right—and hook a rubber band, threaded through a 1 cm piece of straw, into the slits.
Then make and attach the rocket’s window and fins using construction paper, and you’re done! Push the rocket down onto the launcher and let go—your rocket will shoot off with great force!
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!
Basketball game
Recommended for boys who want to try a slightly more elaborate cardboard craft! Here’s an idea for a basketball game.
Basically, you’ll make two things: the main body and a device for launching the ball.
Attach a goal made from a paper cup to the top part of the main body, and create a channel on the bottom part that carries missed balls to an opening where they can be retrieved.
For the launcher, use not only cardboard but also ice cream sticks, plastic bottle caps, and rubber bands.
Once the device is finished, place a lid over the lower part of the main body and set the device on top.
Decorate it with illustrations of your favorite characters to complete the project!
DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love! Ideas you can make with everyday materials (21–30)
Bowing Steve
Among elementary school kids, aren’t there lots of boys who just love Minecraft? Officially, the game is called “Minecraft,” and it’s a fun game that really sparks children’s imagination.
This is a papercraft of Steve, a character from Minecraft, bowing.
You can download the template, print it on craft paper, and just assemble it to finish! Once you understand the structure, you might try making your own version with your own ideas.