Amazing discoveries with everyday materials! Fun summer vacation independent research ideas

Handmade shaker coaster

[Summer Vacation Craft] Handmade Shaker Coasters [Dollar Store DIY]: Seashell and Sand Shaker Box

Introducing original handmade “shaker” coasters that capture the feel of the seasons.

Gather styrofoam board, background design paper, a clear file, plastic sheet, double-sided tape, beads or seashells, and sand, and let’s get started.

First, decide what kind of coaster you want to make.

Cut the styrofoam board to create the coaster base.

Attach the base pieces together for the bottom section.

Apply masking tape around the edges, add seashells and sand inside, then seal it with the lid using double-sided tape—and you’re done! Give it a try!

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Insect interior

This seals the deal for your summer vacation craft project! We’re sharing how to make a simple “Insect Interior” decor piece!

This is an idea for turning insect specimens into stylish interior decor.

When you think of specimens, you might picture them in a box, but what we’re introducing here uses a jar.

You’ll need a jar with a cork lid, an acrylic sheet, and an insect specimen.

The process is simple: first, cut the acrylic sheet to a size that fits inside the jar.

Next, make a slit in the cork lid, insert the cut acrylic sheet, and secure it with adhesive.

Finally, attach the insect specimen to the acrylic sheet and close the lid to finish.

Using a clear acrylic sheet makes it look as if the insect is floating inside the jar, creating a very chic look.

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Hane Keisuke

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Sea memo stand

Summer vacation craft! Make an ocean-themed memo stand with your child ♪ Easy, hassle-free resin ♪ Let’s pack in your memories, too!

Some families may go swimming at the beach during summer vacation, right? When we think of the hot summer, many children surely picture the sea.

So why not make a memo stand using resin with an ocean theme? Prepare parts to embed in the resin, such as seashells, sea creatures, and clear or blue stones.

Of course, it’s also nice to include shells you picked up at the beach.

Place your favorite parts and the memo stand into a container, then pour in the resin.

After that, leave it undisturbed for the specified time.

At this stage, the key is to prevent dust and debris from getting in—for example, by placing the piece in a box.

If you include seashells you collected at the beach, you can create a lovely piece that captures your summer memories.

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Nakajima Junko

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Creeper made from a milk carton

[Elementary School Summer Crafts & Independent Research] Make a Creeper from a Milk Carton—with a Head-Popping Mechanism!

Minecraft is a hugely popular game among kids.

Creepers are characters that appear in Minecraft and explode when they get close to the player.

Let’s make a craft that captures that feature using an empty milk carton.

Besides a milk carton, prepare green plastic bottle caps, bamboo skewers, and oil-based clay as well.

Cut the milk carton and wrap it with green vinyl tape to make the Creeper’s body.

Then cut the body section further and attach parts.

Use another milk carton for the head along with vinyl string or rubber bands to create a mechanism that “explodes.” Because kids use fine motor skills to build it, it helps improve their concentration.

Once it’s finished and displayed at school, you can almost hear friends saying, “Wow, that’s awesome!”

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Nakajima Junko

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Eyeball Tile Coaster

[100-Yen Shop DIY] Summer Vacation Craft Accessory: Simple and Stylish Googly-Eye 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!

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Hane Keisuke

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Accessory box made from an empty box

Summer Vacation Craft Series ♡ Part 4: Making an Accessory Box from Empty Boxes [Koujoucho] DIY

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!

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Nakajima Junko

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Let’s make a bamboo lantern

[Anywhere Art] [Summer Vacation Craft] 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.

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