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

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.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

“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 (131–140)

Easy Spinning Top Made from a Milk Carton

@silk_haru3mama
Simple spinning top made from a milk cartonSummer Vacation Craft Summer Vacation Craft #HandmadeToys #HandmadeEducationalToy #Milk Carton Crafts #Milk carton #AtHomePlay work Simple craft Educational toy #Summer Vacation
Fuzzy Navel – Conton Candy

Here’s an idea for making a spinning top you blow on using a milk carton.

First, cut the carton about 1.5 cm up from the bottom, then make slits at the four corners and open it up.

Next, rotating the carton in a consistent direction from each corner, cut along the edges of the bottom.

Leave about 1 cm uncut at the ends.

Bend the sections you just cut inward so they gather toward the center, and decorate with masking tape or stickers to finish.

If you blow straight down from above, it will spin around and around.

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sasashina

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Picnic bag made from a box

@sayacky_be.child
Materials and tips are here 👇🏻 Open it up—too cute♡ ⁡ ▫️Materials▫️ ・Magnetic paper box (mine is from Seria) ・Rattan-pattern remake sheet (mine is from Seria) ・Bamboo-style bag handles (mine are from Seria) ・Ribbon or cord, etc. ・Fabric of your choice, 28×33 cm ⁡ ▫️Tools, etc.▫️ ・Scissors ・Utility knife and cutting mat ・Ruler ・Pencil or pen (for marking) ・Ice pick (mine is from DAISO) ・Extra-strong double-sided tape for fabric (mine is from DAISO) ⁡ ▫️Tips▫️ ・It’s quite hard, so you might need adult strength to cut or make holes. ・You don’t have to buy bag handles—feel free to substitute with something else ◎ ・The food that appears at the end of the video is introduced in one of my past videos♪ ⁡ ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆ ⁡ Nice to meet you! “Let’s be kids together♪” I’m Sayacky, a nursery teacher and mom of two♡ ⁡ I share activities that get both kids and former kids excited! ⁡ Please follow me☆ ⁡ @sayacky_be.child ▲ Check out my other posts here ໒꒱ ⁡ ⁡ ⋆┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⋆#Sayakki-World #HandmadeToys #Childcare Crafting Craft Play #Childcare topic #AtHomePlay #StayHomeTime #100-yen shop DIY Simple craft Kids' crafts Handmade #BasketBag
♪ Original Song – Sayakki's Atelier – Sayakki's Play Atelier

We’ll show you how to make an adorable picnic bag that’s a joy to open.

Prepare a one-piece box with an attached lid as the base.

Cut the box into your preferred picnic bag shape, then cover the entire surface with a makeover sheet that gives it a woven basket look.

Attach a handle and adhere fabric to the inside of the box to finish.

Any handle you like is fine.

As for fabric, a classic check pattern is always a good choice, but use your favorite.

Make some sandwiches and pop them in to complete a realistic-looking picnic bag!

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sasashina

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Simple salt sand art

@watako.hoiku
Also great for summer projects 🌻 | Salt Sand Art |Simple craft Independent Research translation
♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – น้องมิแมวว♡ – ⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒊 ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

This is about layering different colors of salt in a glass to create a picture-like, beautiful look.

Start by making colors that match what you want to create: mix paint into the salt to prepare it.

Once your colored salt is ready, simply layer it into the glass.

It’s best to pay attention to the boundaries between colors and avoid overmixing.

After filling the glass, press the layers to compact them—you can aim for more complex shapes this way.

Try various patterns to see what you can achieve.

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kappamaki

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Homemade Pakkuncho

@chibi_miran
How to Make a DIY “Pakkuncho” for First Graders ~Part 1~ The Drafting Edition Was Insanely Good lolGenius at crafts
♬ Jamboree Mickey! – Tokyo Disneyland

How about making your own version of your favorite snack package? First, buy the real product and carefully study its packaging.

Trace the shape onto construction paper or similar, and then recreate everything—the design and the text—just like the original.

After coloring it with pens or other materials, cut it out, assemble it, and you’re done.

It’s a task that requires patience, but the steps are very simple.

Find a package you love and give it a try!

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sasashina

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Metal craft

@utatan_simple_crafts
← Fun original craft recipe Good evening, this is Utatan 🐰 We’re halfway through summer vacation… so this time I’m sharing a satisfying craft that even elementary schoolers will enjoy ✨ It’s an arrangement of a copper wire craft I tried at a neighborhood summer festival when I was in second grade, updated with transparent origami paper ✂️ That was the first time in my life I worked with metal, and it was a valuable experience where I learned: “Metal is a fascinating material—hard and durable, yet flexible enough to deform when bent or hammered with force.” Trying, touching, and using all kinds of materials really expands your world, doesn’t it? ♪ My daughter used a hammer and needle-nose pliers for the first time, and it became a special experience for her! (Tip: If you want to make fine curves or angles, use needle-nose pliers 👍) Metal isn’t often used in kids’ crafts, but this summer vacation, I’d love for you to try this project that lets you fully feel the properties of metal ☺️ Materials: • 2 mm aluminum craft wire (purchased at Daiso) • Transparent origami, aurora sheet • (Optional) Faux leather cord Tools: • Wire cutters, needle-nose pliers • Hammer • Work gloves • A brick or flat stone • Multi-purpose glue • Toothpicks • Scissors • Pen Caution: Please take great care to avoid injuries from wire ends and the hammer. Important: Because this is an original recipe, we prohibit the following: ▪ Unauthorized reposting of images/videos ▪ Commercial use of the work/recipe ▪ Publishing the instructions as videos/images ▪ Unauthorized use in paid craft/art classes or production workshops When posting reference works, please mention @utatan_simple_crafts ✨ We’re also looking forward to your “made it!” posts ☺️ ****************************************** Creating daily with my 5-year-old ♪ Original craft recipes for parents and kids to enjoy (We also sell craft kits and digital files 🌸) Utatan’s Simple Crafts → @utatan_simple_crafts ONLINE STORE →https://utatan-crafts.stores.jpThank you in advance 🐰✨work #I love crafts Stained glass Wire Craft Summer Vacation Craft #Summer vacation homework #HandmadeToys How to Spend Summer Vacation Life with children Life with children #HandmadeToys #diy #AtHomePlay #StayHomeTime
♪ Original Song – Utatan’s Simple Crafts | Exciting DIY for Kids and Adults – Utatan’s Simple Crafts | Exciting DIY for Kids and Adults