Wonderful independent research

Kids get hooked on crafts with toilet paper rolls! Idea collection for elementary school students

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Many of you are probably wondering what to make for your summer vacation craft project.

So here, we’re sharing fun craft ideas you can make using a familiar material found at home: plastic wrap cores (cardboard tubes).

We’ve gathered lots of projects—like a lint-roller-style cleaner, hanging toys, and coin clappers—that you can play with and learn from once they’re finished.

All of them use easily sourced materials and have simple instructions.

Use this as a guide to get creative with your kids and make a one-of-a-kind original piece together!

Kids Get Hooked on Crafts with Toilet Paper Roll Cores! Idea Collection for Elementary Schoolers (21–30)

A guitar that changes its sound

[Upcycled Craft] The sound changes! Guitar (rubber bands, paper plate, paper towel tube, straw) [Handmade instrument / playable toy] Upcycled play • For lower elementary grades

A guitar that changes its sound

This is a handmade guitar toy you can play by plucking rubber band strings, where the sound changes.

First, make the guitar neck using a kitchen paper tube.

Cut slits in the tube and attach rubber bands, then hook the bendable part of a straw onto the strings.

Next, attach the rim of a paper cup between the straws, and press down on the rim’s surface to lower its position.

Apply glue to the bottom of the paper cup and attach it to the tube, then stick a paper plate on the opposite side to finish! Try making this fun toy where the sound changes depending on where you press the strings.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Zeni Daiko (coin drum)

High-Speed Rhythm: Zeni-Daiko Made with a Rap Core

Zeni Daiko (coin drum)

Isn’t making sounds fun? So here’s an idea: make a zeni-daiko using a plastic wrap core.

A zeni-daiko is a musical instrument made by attaching coins to a stick-like object.

Despite the name including “drum,” it’s actually closer in nature to a tambourine.

When you make it, try placing coins inside the core.

It’s fun to see how the tone changes depending on the size, number, and weight of the coins.

Find your favorite sound.

You can also decorate the exterior to make it look nice.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

violin

[Summer Break Craft] Make a Violin with a Tissue Box and a Wrap Core! [You Can Play It!] Playable DIY Violin and Bow

violin

This is a violin assembled by attaching various parts to a body made from a combination of a tissue box and a plastic wrap core.

One of its big attractions is that it can actually be played, so it’s important to carefully measure things like the lengths of parts and where they’re attached.

A key feature is that the stiffness of the wrap core lets you properly tension the strings; use the tissue box and smaller components to support the core and the strings.

To heighten the sense of surprise when it produces sound, it might be interesting to deliberately leave the tissue box undecorated.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Advent calendar

An Advent calendar lets you count down from December 1 to Christmas.

Many have candies inside and are popular as gifts for children.

Let’s make an Advent calendar using a paper towel or plastic wrap tube! Put sweets inside the tube and cap the ends, then stack the tubes in the shape of a tree and secure them.

Attach construction paper with numbers written on it to the caps, add Christmas-themed decorations, and you’re done.

For the caps, try covering the ends with origami paper or gluing on circular pieces of cardboard.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Toothpick holder

Toothpicks can make a space feel a bit too lived-in if you leave them out as they are, but how about making a case out of a plastic wrap core to hide them? With a lid, it stays dust-free and hygienic.

If you have a core—like from aluminum foil—that’s slightly smaller in inner diameter than the plastic wrap core, you can make a lidded container that fits snugly.

It’s also fun to decorate it with your favorite wrapping paper or fabric you have at home.

It could even make a nice gift.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem