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Simple yet amazing crafts: craft ideas that elementary school students will want to make

“I don’t have much time for crafts…” “But I want to make something that will amaze everyone when it’s done!” If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.

In this article, we’re sharing craft ideas with simple steps that still make you say “Wow!” when they’re finished—featuring clever mechanisms and magical effects.

From moving toys to piggy banks where coins disappear, these are fun, play-with-after-you-make-it projects.

They’re easy to try with everyday materials, so go find your favorite and give it a go!

Moving! Playable and Fun Toy Craft Ideas (51–60)

Torokira Keychain

Easy craft: glossy jelly keychains! Simple handmade project with 100-yen shop materials. Perfect for at-home time, summer vacation, and free craft or science projects. Great for beginners too. [100-yen DIY]
Torokira Keychain

Do you know those cute accessories with a little doll floating in a tiny plastic bag? You often see them as prizes at festival raffles, but actually, you can make them yourself.

You only need items mostly from a 100-yen shop—like a soft card holder, beads and glitter, liquid laundry starch, and masking tape—so it’s a budget-friendly craft project.

Add cutouts of your favorite character or idol to the decorations, and it instantly becomes merch for your fave! You’ll want to make them for everyone!

Original handmade watch

Summer Vacation Craft Series ♡ Part 6: Handmade Clock ♡ Let’s Make Your Very Own Original [Koujoucho] DIY
Original handmade watch

When you go to a 100-yen shop or a handmade goods store, you can find just the clock movement for sale.

Let’s use that to make your own original clock! For the base of the clock, use a photo frame or a plastic plate.

Once you decide where to fix the movement, drill a hole.

Tighten the nut to secure the movement, and then decorate it to your liking.

Paint it, attach parts, or add glitter to make it sparkle—depending on your ideas, you’ll end up with a clock full of originality!

Let’s make a bow and arrow

How to make a bow and arrow from a single plastic wrap core (Beginner)
Let's make a bow and arrow

Here’s how to make a bow and arrow from a plastic wrap core! First, poke a hole in the center of the core, then make four vertical cuts along the tube.

Bend the cut middle sections inward on both sides.

Next, use rubber bands and twine to make the bow.

Hook a rubber band onto the indented part of the bow to finish it.

Make the arrows using a bamboo skewer and paper.

Since bamboo skewers are light, be sure to wrap them with paper.

Once your arrows are ready, set up a target and try it out.

You might be surprised at how far they fly.

Make sure small children are careful.

How to make a croaking frog

[Preschool Teacher] Make and Play Right Away! How to Make a Croaking Frog ✨ [Daycare & Kindergarten]
How to make a croaking frog

This is a cute craft where a frog hidden inside a paper cup peeks out while croaking.

You make a hole in the bottom of the cup and insert a bendy straw; by using this straw, you can move the frog up and down.

The key is the bendable part of the straw—when it rubs against the hole in the paper cup, it makes a sound like a frog’s croak.

You can add originality by choosing the frog’s expression and decorating the paper cup however you like.

Easy! A chopstick rubber band gun that can even use hair ties

This rubber band gun made from disposable chopsticks is very simple—you just bundle the chopsticks together and fasten them with rubber bands.

First, stack four chopsticks and secure them in two places with rubber bands.

To catch the rubber band that will serve as the projectile, leave the top and bottom sticks of the four sticking out a bit longer.

Attach a clothespin together with the topmost rubber band at the rear.

The rubber band projectile is gripped by both the clothespin and the chopsticks; when you pull the clothespin, the band shoots out.

Try using a hair tie as the projectile—it won’t hurt much even if it hits you.