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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DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love! Ideas you can make with everyday materials (21–30)
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.
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!
Goggles that let you see behind you
You’re supposed to be facing forward, yet the scene you see is behind you! This is a science project idea that lets you experience something strange: goggles that let you see backward.
Arrange two mirrors in a V-shape inside a cardboard frame.
By mounting two mirrors diagonally relative to your line of sight, you can see the scenery behind you reflected in them.
The build is simple and doesn’t take much time, but the result is genuinely fun.
The angle at which you attach the mirrors and the distance between them are important, so it’s best to measure everything carefully.
Magic hand
A grabber arm is a simple toy, but picking up different things with it is surprisingly fun—and it’s one of those items that can really excite boys, isn’t it? This idea is easy to make using disposable chopsticks and plastic bottle caps, so give it a try.
Prepare eight pairs of chopsticks, stack them in two groups of four, and bundle each group with rubber bands.
Shift each stick alternately to the left and right to form crosses; then overlap the ends of the two groups to make a small cross and secure it with rubber bands.
Finally, attach two plastic bottle caps to the tip opposite the handle using double-sided tape—and you’re done!
tensegrity structure
“Objects are floating with no support…!?” The sight is so astonishing it feels like magic—that’s a tensegrity structure.
It refers to a form that maintains balance using tension rather than directly attaching parts to each other.
It might sound difficult, but you can make one with materials like cardboard, wooden chopsticks, and thread.
If you search on YouTube, you’ll find many different tensegrity designs, so pick one you like and give it a try.
handheld fan
In summer, you often see people carrying handheld fans.
Simply put, they’re small electric fans, but they’re very convenient because you can take them with you.
Here, we’re introducing a DIY idea for a handheld fan.
Use a toilet paper roll for the handle, popsicle sticks for the blades, and a bamboo skewer for the axle.
The coolest part of this craft is that when you pull the string, the blades actually spin! It doesn’t produce much breeze, but as the blades turn, the string winds up automatically, letting you spin it over and over—such a fun idea.
You can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop, so why not give it a try?
Cardboard robot arm powered by water pressure
Let’s try making a robot arm powered by water pressure.
Since it uses hydraulics, it requires no electricity or batteries.
What you’ll need: syringes, cardboard, a hot glue gun, colored water, tubing, zip ties, and bamboo skewers, plus tools like pliers and a utility knife.
Make holes in the cardboard base, insert the bamboo skewers, assemble the parts, and attach them with the hot glue gun.
Combine the syringes and tubing, and you’ll have a hydraulic robot arm that can lift light objects.
Because it’s a robot with many parts and fine tasks, this is a good independent study project for upper elementary school students.
