Amazing discoveries with everyday materials! Fun summer vacation independent research ideas
Many children probably still haven’t decided on their summer vacation independent research project yet, right? For those of you thinking, “I want to do something interesting!” but wondering, “What theme should I choose?”, here are experiment and observation ideas that will make you think, “I want to try this!” From fun experiments you can do with everyday materials to studies where you can observe the fascinating behavior of living creatures—these are all activities anyone can enjoy.
Through your independent research, new discoveries and excitement are waiting for you!
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Amazing discoveries with everyday materials! Fun summer vacation independent research ideas (41–50)
Eyeball Tile Coaster

Here’s an idea where you use cork coasters sold at 100-yen shops as a base and decorate them with stickers and more.
Lately, tile stickers that were popular in the Heisei era have been making a comeback, and you can find a variety of patterns at 100-yen shops as well.
Decorations using remake sheets—those you stick on furniture or walls—are also recommended.
With a bit of creativity, the possibilities are endless, so go ahead and make coasters full of originality!
Accessory box made from an empty box

Some children who love fashion may have lots of charms for rings or clothes, right? Since they can easily get lost, it’s handy to have a box that can store them all together.
Here’s an accessory box that’s practical too.
You can make it with an empty box you already have at home.
Add thickness by attaching pieces cut from a quilted surface to the lid and the sides of the box.
The soft, cushioned thickness gives it a luxurious feel, turning it into a proper jewelry box.
If you roll up some felt fabric and place it inside the box, you can store rings neatly.
The finished product won’t look like it was made from an empty box, so give it a try for inspiration!
Let’s make a bamboo lantern

Here’s how to make a bamboo lantern that looks beautiful when it glows at night.
Use a saw to cut the bamboo.
Make slits in the cut bamboo, then gently tap from above with a hammer to create openings where the light will shine through.
The key is to tap with the hammer without using too much force.
Drill holes to create several small windows for the light to leak out.
Wrap yarn around the top and bottom of the bamboo tube, using double-sided tape to secure it.
Place an LED light inside, switch it on, and let it shine.
It emits a soft glow that gives off a traditional Japanese ambiance.
Fizzy Ramune Experiment
Why not try making fizzy ramune tablets for your summer break science project and enjoy their colors and sounds when dropped into water? After thoroughly mixing ingredients like powdered sugar, cornstarch, and food-grade citric acid, add food coloring to make them visually fun.
Press the mixed dough with two spoons to shape it just right.
Let them dry for about half a day to finish the ramune.
When eaten, they fizz in your mouth, letting you experience the curious chemical reaction of carbonation.
It’s a safe project even for children, using the carbon dioxide produced by the reaction between lemon juice’s acid and baking soda.
You can boost originality by changing the colors and flavors.
It’s a great idea for learning chemistry with familiar materials.
Butter Even Elementary School Students Can Make
@nonno.chan I recreated a summer vacation science project I made a long time ago: homemade butter!#Summer VacationIndependent Research#HandmadeButterHomework#tiktoksummerbreak#meijiMeiji Delicious Fresh Cream
♬ 3 minutes cooking style pop / cooking / sweets(957554) – ArcTracks
Here’s a summer vacation science project idea for making authentic butter at home using heavy cream, salt, and a plastic bottle.
Put heavy cream and a pinch of salt into a plastic bottle, close the cap tightly, and shake it vigorously.
After shaking for a while, the contents will separate into liquid and solids.
This is the sign that butter and buttermilk have separated.
Pour off the liquid, cut the bottle open with scissors, and take out the contents—the butter is ready.
Spread it on bread to enjoy a special flavor that really lets you feel you made it yourself.
Watching the cream change teaches about dairy processing and fat separation.
The hands-on, energetic shaking is fun and gives a sense of accomplishment, making this a great idea for elementary school students.
A piggy bank that helps you save while having fun
Let’s use Daiso’s 3-tier drawer case to make a fun, game-like piggy bank over summer break.
First, flip the second and third drawers upside down and reassemble them so the flat sides face the front.
Next, cut corrugated plastic (plastic cardboard) into any shapes you like and attach it to the outside of the drawers to create a design that looks great.
Inside, apply double-sided tape so coins pause partway and drop slowly as they travel down.
With a piggy bank you made yourself, saving money becomes fun and easier to turn into a habit.
It’s a unique, practical idea that can change your everyday life through creativity and ingenuity.
Making Konpeito (traditional Japanese sugar candy)
Let’s try making handmade konpeitō—colorful, cute sugar candies—for a summer vacation science project.
Boil sugar and water to make syrup, then gradually add small amounts of konpeitō cores; as you do, little spikes will slowly form on the surface.
By adding food coloring or flavorings during the process, you can customize the taste and color to your liking.
Even without special equipment, you can keep stirring and improvising with a frying pan or a bowl; it takes time, but the candies will gradually take on the characteristic konpeitō shape.
Because the results change depending on the temperature and timing of sugar crystallization and how you stir, it’s also enjoyable as a science experiment.
It’s a rewarding idea that nurtures both confectionery skills and observation.



