[Summer Vacation Crafts for Lower Grades] Make It with Everyday Materials! Simple Yet Awesome Craft Ideas

Magic hand

[With Construction Paper and Straws] Fun Magic Hand

A magic hand is a device where you use a mechanism to move a hand motif that’s larger than a real hand.

The unique mechanism gives it a slightly awkward motion, which is fun to watch on its own.

To make one, cut construction paper into the shape of a hand, leave openings at the finger joints and apply double-sided tape, then create the “bones” with short pieces of straw.

After that, thread string through the straws and you’re done—when you pull the strings, the fingers curl at the joints.

To make it easy to tell which string controls which finger, it’s recommended to use different-colored straws and match the color at the end of each string to the straw it runs through.

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kappamaki

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perpetual calendar

How to Make a Perpetual Calendar to Use with Kids ♪

Introducing a summer project that can become a lifelong treasure if the whole family helps.

You’ll make a perpetual calendar that can be used forever if treated with care.

Since paper gets damaged easily, use materials like wood or plastic.

There are lots of ways to get creative: change the color of the month section every month, or use your pet’s face for the days of the week.

If you decorate it with seashells or driftwood you found at the beach, it will become an even more memorable project!

Rubber band guitar

Let's sing with handmade instruments!! Rubber band guitar, empty boxes, tissue boxes, cardboard ❤︎ easy DIY Handmade Guitar Craft ❤︎ #777

Everyone probably tried this at least once in elementary school: fixing a ruler to the edge of a desk and making it twang, or plucking a rubber band with your fingers to make instrument-like sounds.

Here’s an evolved version of that—the “rubber-band guitar.” All you need to do is stretch rubber bands around a box with a hollow space, like an empty tissue box, and the basics are done.

If you have time, using cardboard to shape it more like a guitar will earn you extra points! It’s also fun to vary the tone by using thick and thin rubber bands.

Summarizing the different sounds produced by different rubber bands could make for a great science project, too.

Cute mysterious bottle

A cute, mysterious bottle made with dollar-store materials! Perfect for summer vacation and independent research projects. Uses few materials and is fun to make. Easy handmade craft, dollar-store DIY, great for time at home, handmade project.

A pretty liquid inside a small, cute bottle—it’s separated into two layers, and even if you shake the bottle it stays syrupy and doesn’t mix at all.

A mysterious liquid.

This beautiful, mysterious bottle is actually very easy to make! First, prepare a bottle you like.

Fill it about halfway with baby oil, then pour in water colored with food coloring on top.

You can also add beads or glitter, and then close the lid to finish.

How about decorating the outside of the bottle with your favorite stickers or rhinestones?

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utatane

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Flower fidget spinner

@n.annlee321

A festive plum blossom hand spinner ☺️✨#2022#tiktok classroomLife with children#VideoYouCan'tHelpButWatch

♬ Relaxing cute everyday BGM – Hiraoka

How about making your own hand spinner that twirls between your fingers or on a desk, finished in a cute flower shape? Use two circles cut from cardboard for the finger pads, connect them with a toothpick to form the axle, and attach the spinning flower piece between them, leaving a slight gap as you assemble the axle.

The way it spins will change depending on the gap between your fingers and the rotating part, as well as the size of the hole the toothpick passes through, so try building it while experimenting with ways to make it spin longer.

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kappamaki

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Cute shaved ice piggy bank

Here’s an idea for a shaved-ice coin bank made from a milk carton.

It’s adorable because a little face pops out when you put a coin in.

Prepare a small milk carton and peel off the outer printed layer so it’s white.

Cut the spout into a mountain shape.

Draw the syrup part with a pen, attach an iridescent (aurora) sheet, and create the slot for inserting coins.

Next, pierce a rotating cardboard piece with a bamboo skewer and fix it inside the milk carton.

Thread the face piece onto the part of the skewer that sticks out of the carton and glue it in place, then decorate the other end with beads.

Attach thick paper around it to hide the skewer, and close the spout to finish.

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sasashina

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An hourglass made of straws

Let’s make a toy where short straws fall like an hourglass.

First, cut a wire to 40 cm and wrap it around a pencil to make a spring.

Prepare two small paper cups and make a hole in the center of each bottom; thread one cup onto one end of the spring and secure it.

Stretch the spring and thread short, cut pieces of straw onto it.

Then thread and secure the other paper cup on the opposite end.

To prevent the spring from expanding and contracting, bridge two chopsticks between the two cups and glue them in place, and you’re done! Decorate the paper cups and chopsticks with masking tape or stickers to make it cute.

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sasashina

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