Lovely handmade crafts

Handmade piggy banks with fun mechanisms! A collection of summer vacation craft ideas that will amaze even adults

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.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

“Summer vacation is just around the corner, but I still haven’t decided on a craft project…” Many kids may be feeling this way.That’s why we recommend the classic craft: a handmade piggy bank!But a plain box shape is boring.If you make a piggy bank with a fun mechanism—like coins that spin, or one that walks or wobbles with movements that seem like magic—you’ll enjoy both the building process and managing your money every day after it’s done.In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of amazing piggy bank craft ideas you can make with simple materials.

Handmade piggy banks with fun mechanisms! A collection of ideas that will amaze even adults for summer vacation crafts (11–20)

A piggy bank where coins spin

[Piggy Bank] When you put in money, it spins! How to make the core material

A piggy bank where coins spin

A piggy bank where the coins spin as they get sucked in! Cut slits into a donut-shaped piece of thick paper, overlap it slightly, and form it into a cone-shaped (funnel) part.

With that, the mechanism for the coins to fall is complete.

Next, make the outer body with cardboard, attach a slider where you insert the coins, and add any decorations you like to complete a piggy bank where the money spins as it drops.

If you neatly cover the cardboard with paper clay, you’ll have a high-quality finish! Give it a try.

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Aquarium piggy bank

[DIY] Super fun! Let’s make a play-as-you-save aquarium coin bank! [Cardboard craft]

Aquarium piggy bank

A piggy bank made from cardboard and plastic sheets that looks just like an aquarium.

Attach blue construction paper, straws, and plastic bottle caps to the cardboard to recreate an ocean scene.

Glue narrow strips of cardboard to both sides and fix a plastic sheet on top to form a box shape.

Then attach a piece of cardboard with a coin slot cut into the top, add a coin tray at the bottom, and you’re done.

If you stick fish and sparkly decorations onto the surface of the plastic sheet, it will look even more dazzling!

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A piggy bank made from papier-mâché clay

Super easy! I tried making a Minions piggy bank with paper clay! Includes instructions on how to make it!

A piggy bank made from papier-mâché clay

Here’s an idea for a piggy bank featuring Minions, the characters kids love.

You’ll make it using an empty can, air-dry clay, and paint.

Remove the lid from the can and seal the opening with tape.

Wrap the outside with clay, make a slot on top for coins, and let it dry.

Make the goggles as well and let them dry.

Once the clay is dry, it’s time to paint.

Paint the whole body yellow, but be careful not to paint over the eye area since it should stay white.

Paint the clothing blue, paint the goggles gray, attach them to the body, and paint the eyes brown.

Finish with a coat of varnish, and you’re done!

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Octopus piggy bank made with balloons

[Wing Silk] Octopus Piggy Bank Made with a Balloon [Paper Clay]

Octopus piggy bank made with balloons

Let’s make an octopus piggy bank using a balloon! Prepare clay, a balloon, toothpicks, and a paper cup.

First, inflate the balloon and, using a papier-mâché technique, apply thinly rolled air-dry clay over it to form the octopus’s head.

Once covered, let it dry, remove the balloon, and make a slot for the coins.

Next, create the legs, eyes, and mouth from the clay.

After shaping the legs, insert toothpicks into the base ends.

When all the parts are ready, attach them to the head.

While drying, place the head on a halved paper cup so the legs don’t get squashed.

Finally, paint it, and you’re done! It’s a perfect idea for a summer craft.

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Conveyor Piggy Bank

Conveyor Belt Piggy Bank!! [Milk Carton Craft | Easy How-To] Elementary School | Karakuri (mechanism) | Summer Vacation | Cute

Conveyor Piggy Bank

A conveyor-belt piggy bank that swallows your money! Using a milk carton and thick paper, chopsticks, plastic bottle caps, toilet paper rolls, bamboo skewers, rubber bands, and more, you can build a mechanism where turning a lever sets the belt in motion.

Once all the parts are assembled, add a face and decorations to the sides to finish it off.

The key to making the mechanism run smoothly is connecting the belt in a straight line! If you stick on a comical face, kids might just find themselves saying, “Oh, fine,” and feel compelled to drop in a coin.

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