Make it with everyday materials! A collection of fun summer vacation craft ideas

Let’s make a speaker

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A speaker is an acoustic device that converts electrical signals into physical vibrations, producing sound.

Some people use speakers to improve the audio when listening to music or watching movies.

In fact, you can make a simple speaker yourself.

Try making one with just three items: a paper cup, a tightly wound coil, and a magnet.

Attach the coil to the bottom of the paper cup.

Connect the ends of the coil to a CD player, and bring the magnet close to the coil.

Then you’ll hear the CD’s music coming from the speaker.

The volume will also change depending on the distance between the magnet and the coil.

It’s an easy device to make, so give it a try!

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Nakajima Junko

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The World of Masks

[Elementary School Craft] The World of Masks

Why not make a free-form mask and transform into a different persona? It would be so much fun to express your emotions—fear, joy, and more—by turning them into a mask.

First, punch holes where the eyes go in a sheet of colored construction paper in your favorite color.

It’s also fine to have no holes at all, and to use any shapes you like.

Then freely cut out facial features, fangs, horns, and more from origami paper, and attach them with cellophane tape.

Finally, draw patterns with a felt-tip pen to finish.

It sounds really fun to express your transformed self with a mask, doesn’t it?

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Handmade toy from an empty snack box

[Elementary School Summer Vacation Crafts/Independent Research] Handmade Toys Using Empty Snack Boxes 🌻 #SummerVacationCrafts #IndependentResearch #Crafts #EasyCrafts #PlayAtHome #HandmadeToys #DIY

Make it with an empty snack box! Here’s how to create a pom‑pom shooting game! First, prepare an empty box that once held something like Choco Pie.

Reinforce the back by attaching a wooden stick so the lid can stay open.

Next, glue wooden sticks to the top and bottom of a wooden clip and wrap a rubber band around it.

Attach a plastic bottle cap to one end, and fix the other end to the back of the box.

Finally, stick a few small paper cups inside the box wherever you like, and you’re done.

Set a cotton ball in the bottle cap and launch it with a pop—have fun playing!

Surprising Craft

[Elementary School Craft] Surprise Craft!!!

An unexpected surprise! Here’s a craft project full of excitement that sparks curiosity.

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary envelope, but when you open it—“brrrriip!”—it makes a ripping sound! The method is simple, making it perfect for a summer vacation project.

First, prepare a bag handle, rubber bands, and a ring like the kind used for word-card binders.

Attach rubber bands to both sides of the ring, then tie them to the handle—and you’re done.

Wind the ring up and place it inside the envelope.

Feel free to draw on or decorate the envelope as you like.

The mechanism is that the ring spins when the envelope is opened, creating the sound.

It’s easy, so make a bunch and have fun playing with them!

Original watch

[Elementary School Craft] Original Clock

Why not try making a one-of-a-kind original clock using a DIY clock kit? First, draw diagonal lines on a canvas board and drill a hole where the lines intersect to attach the movement.

Sketch a few ideas, then paint your design with acrylic gouache based on those sketches.

To make the numbers stand out, you can create them with paper clay.

If you prepare a template that divides a circle into 12 equal parts, it will be easier to decide the placement of the numbers.

Once you finish painting, attach the movement through the hole you prepared in advance.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Craft paper hat

[Elementary School Craft] A Hat Made with Kraft Paper

Let’s try making a hat using materials like kraft paper.

First, crumple the kraft paper into a ball to soften it.

Then wrap it around your head and secure it with tape at just the right size.

Once it’s taped, feel free to adjust the length and shape as you like.

You can tear it by hand or twist it, too.

After you’ve settled on a shape, try decorating it with tissue paper or origami.

When your one-of-a-kind hat is finished, having a fashion show can be lots of fun!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Korokoro Slider

[Elementary School Craft] Rolling Ball Slider

Make it easily with cardboard! Here’s how to build a rolling slider.

It’s super simple! Prepare a piece of cardboard cut into a rectangle, then use smaller pieces of cardboard to make features like hills and tunnels, and tape them on with packing tape.

We recommend deciding the course and rules however you like and writing them with a permanent marker.

For the ball, crumpled aluminum foil or a marble makes it extra fun.

You can expand the play by turning it into a soccer game, or by using a large sheet of drawing paper as the base—there are lots of ways to enjoy it, whether you’re playing alone or with friends.

Let your imagination flow and create a one-of-a-kind toy of your own!