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

Cardboard guitar that makes sound

Let's Make a Sound-Making Guitar! [Cardboard Craft]

Let’s introduce a fun-to-make cardboard guitar.

Prepare one cardboard box, five rubber bands, a food tray, packing tape, glue, scissors, and a cutting mat, then let’s get started.

Draw a rough outline of a guitar on the opened cardboard and cut out each part along the lines.

Make slits along the long side of the food tray; the depth of the slits will change the sound it produces.

Thread the rubber bands through the slit area.

Attach the food tray to the hole in the guitar body part using packing tape.

Glue the neck and head together.

Then glue the neck and head onto the guitar body to complete it.

Paint it and add decorations to finish your own original guitar!

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Melamine sponge sandwich craft

How about making a delicious-looking sandwich out of a melamine sponge that you’ll just want to take on a picnic? It’s very easy to make! First, prepare a large, thick melamine sponge and cut it into a triangle, imagining the shape of a sandwich.

Use a craft knife to make a slit so you can insert the fillings.

Next, create the fillings—such as ham, lettuce, or spaghetti—using construction paper or yarn.

If you use colorful materials for the fillings, the result will look extra cute.

Finally, tuck the fillings into the sponge sandwich, and you’re done! Try making different fillings and have fun playing with them.

A piggy bank with a wagging tail

How to Make a Tail-Wagging Piggy Bank [Paper Clay, Swan, Creative Piggy Bank]

When it comes to classic summer independent projects, a “piggy bank” is a staple.

The “Yucho Idea Piggy Bank Contest” held by Japan Post Bank is also well-known.

You might think, “Have all the ideas been used up by now?” but every year a lot of creative piggy banks appear.

So, here’s one to introduce: the “wagging-tail piggy bank.” The simple mechanism is that the weight of the coin you drop in makes the tail sway gently.

If you expand on this mechanism, you could adapt the idea to things like a fishing game or a dinosaur’s neck.

We recommend using air-dry paper clay, which you can paint once it dries!

Cute crafts in the kitchen

Great for free craft time too! 'Cute Crafts in the Kitchen for Elementary School Kids' (Gakken) – children, parents and kids, DIY, at-home activities

Do you know the book “Cute Crafts in the Kitchen for Elementary School Students,” published by Gakken? It’s packed with fun craft ideas, including many that would be perfect for summer vacation projects and crafts.

Let me introduce one from the book: the “Paper Dome Cup.” The simple process is to coat a water balloon with glue, wrap it with Japanese paper or tissue paper, and once it’s dry, pop the balloon.

It doesn’t take much time, so it’s recommended even for those who are short on time.

A soccer game you can make with straws

[Summer Vacation Crafts] Easy! Playable Crafts (For Elementary School Students) [Soccer] [Handmade Toy] Independent Research

How about making a simple toy out of straws so you can enjoy soccer at home? It’s a fun, engaging game you can play together with friends or family! Another great point is that you can make it using familiar materials like an empty box and some straws.

Use the empty box to create the field and the straws to build the goals.

Attach straws to the player pieces you cut out from the box, and control them as you play.

It could be even more exciting to model the players after your favorite stars! This toy is sure to help kids develop dexterity and concentration.

We’ve shared detailed instructions in a video, so check it out and give it a try!

Plastic bottle drum

[Anywhere Art] [Summer Vacation Crafts] Plastic Bottle Drum [Handmade Instrument]

Simple yet loud! Here’s how to make a plastic-bottle drum.

First, cut off the bottom of an empty plastic bottle and wrap the cut edge with vinyl tape.

Next, stretch a balloon over the opening and secure it firmly with tape so it doesn’t come off.

Decorate the bottle with pens or stickers as you like! Finally, tape a 10 cm square piece of aluminum foil to the tip of a chopstick, crumple the foil into a ball to make a beater, and you’re done! It could be fun for everyone to make their own and enjoy a group performance.

Give it a try!

PET bottle air cannon

Air Cannon with a Plastic Bottle! Recycling Craft! (For 1st–2nd Grade Elementary Students, About 20 Minutes) #Craft #HandmadeToy #AirCannon

Recommended for kids who are bored with ordinary toys! Let’s make a plastic-bottle air cannon and play.

First, cut off the bottom of an empty plastic bottle, cover the cut edge with a balloon, and secure it firmly with tape.

Tie the end of the balloon so you can pull it.

Next, cut a few slits in one end of a toilet paper tube, wrap it with vinyl tape to reinforce it, then attach it to the bottle to make a handle.

Finally, make a few targets and you’re done! It’s a science toy that lets you have fun learning how air can knock down targets.

It’s easy to make, so give it a try and play with it!