Wonderful independent research

Elementary school kids will be hooked! A collection of fun craft ideas using disposable chopsticks

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 elementary schoolers are looking for a summer craft project that’s just a little different from the usual! Believe it or not, even ordinary disposable chopsticks hold endless possibilities.

Here, we’ll introduce ideas that are perfect for independent research projects, especially for grade-schoolers.

From swords and musical instruments to rubber-band guns and Da Vinci bridges, simple chopsticks can transform into creations that exceed your imagination! These are all crafts you can enjoy making together as a family—and keep playing with after they’re finished.

Have fun expanding creativity and ideas with materials that are right at your fingertips!

Elementary school kids will be hooked! A collection of fun craft ideas using disposable chopsticks (31–40)

Rubber band gun with two materials

[Recommended for summer vacation crafts!] How to make a rubber band gun with just two materials!!

Rubber band gun with two materials

Here’s a simple rubber band gun idea you can make with about three pairs of disposable chopsticks and around ten rubber bands.

Split all the chopsticks into single sticks; leave three as they are, and cut the rest into three different lengths.

If you use a utility knife for cutting, handle it with care.

It’s also a good idea to sand the cut edges for safety.

Combine the cut chopsticks to build the body, grip, and trigger, and finally create a notch at the front end of the body where the rubber band will hook.

The body tends to be long and unstable, so reinforce it by bracing it from below with shorter chopstick pieces.

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A rapid-fire chopstick rubber-band gun

How to make a rapid-fire chopstick rubber-band gun! It’s easy, so even first-timers can enjoy it together as a parent-child activity.

A rapid-fire chopstick rubber-band gun

This is a rubber band gun made from chopsticks, finished with a mechanism that allows rapid fire by combining small pieces cut from disposable chopsticks with rubber bands.

The base is essentially a bundle of chopsticks tied together with rubber bands, to which you attach parts such as the rubber band hook (which serves as the ammunition), the grip, and the trigger components.

Although the structure is complex, the only tools you need are chopsticks, rubber bands, and scissors, so once you get used to the steps, it feels fairly simple.

It’s also important to firmly secure each part so it can withstand the tension of the loaded rubber bands.

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An exceedingly simple chopstick gun

I tried making a very simple rubber band gun with disposable chopsticks.

An exceedingly simple chopstick gun

A simple rubber band gun made from disposable chopsticks and rubber bands is a craft project that both kids and adults can get hooked on.

However, the one introduced here is surprisingly authentic, with steps that even involve using a utility knife and a screwdriver.

Kids should make it together with an adult and enjoy the process.

You can also make targets easily with chopsticks, so once you’re done, you can have fun playing a target-shooting game! It’s simple, but you can customize it with a bit of creativity, letting you experience the fun of making things.

Be sure to build and play together—kids and adults alike—and enjoy a great time!

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disposable chopstick coaster

Easy craft with disposable chopstick coasters — great for camping DIY and summer vacation homework too!

disposable chopstick coaster

Introducing a chopstick coaster that lets you feel the warmth of wood.

Gather disposable chopsticks, glue, sanding sealer, varnish, and a brush, and let’s get started.

Glue chopsticks around the base board.

If you score the chopsticks with a utility knife before splitting them, they’ll break cleanly.

Lightly sand the tips to round them off.

Continue gluing the chopsticks from the outside toward the inside.

Adjust the size of the chopsticks as you go, fitting them while slightly changing the angle.

Brush on varnish and let it dry, and you’re done.

Give it a try!

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Snowflakes made of yarn

@hoikushisatomi
[From around age 4] Snowflakes with yarnNursery teacher / Childcare worker Kids will love it #NurseryTeacherDailyLife Hand games work Translation #NurseryTeacherThings Knitting yarn #YarnPlay
♬ Stylish cafe-style BGM – Hiro Hattori

After cutting three disposable chopsticks short, use two of them to make an X shape, then place it over the remaining stick set vertically and secure them with yarn.

Next, wrap more yarn around them to create a snowflake.

When wrapping, go one stick at a time: loop the yarn once around a stick, then move on to the next chopstick.

The yarn doesn’t have to be the same color—switching to a different yarn partway through creates a pretty pattern.

You’ll get a variety of snowflakes depending on how many wraps you make and the types of yarn you use, so try making several kinds.

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