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Elementary School Students: Simple One-Day Science Project and Craft Ideas

For elementary school summer break projects and crafts, we recommend starting with something your child is already interested in.

When it’s something they like, they can enjoy working on it.

Here, we introduce simple ideas for elementary school students! These are experiments and crafts you can do in a single day.

The materials are things you already have at home or can get quickly, so even if you’re short on time, no worries.

Perfect for those who are “stuck on a theme” or “looking for an easy and fun project”! Find your favorite and give it a try.

[Elementary School] Simple One-Day Independent Research and Craft Ideas (211–220)

Let’s make dinosaur fossils

[Elementary School Craft] Let's Make a Fossil
Let's make dinosaur fossils

Let’s make some exciting dinosaur fossils! First, think about what kind of fossil you want to create, then draw your fossil illustration on a sheet of foam board (styrene paper).

Cut out the fossil shapes with scissors.

Glue the cut foam pieces onto cardboard to form your design.

Paint it with acrylic paints.

When it’s finished, attach a decorative ribbon to the back so you can display it.

It’s also a good idea to round off the corners of the cardboard.

Have fun creating your very own original fossil!

Aquarium snow globe

[Kids’ Easy Craft] Everything from the 100-yen shop! Aquarium Snow Globe DIY — Perfect for Christmas or a Summer Vacation Project!
Aquarium snow globe

Let me introduce a refreshing aquarium-style snow globe.

Prepare liquid laundry starch (or glue), a sponge, a jar, miniature figures, ribbon, adhesive, glitter, and a chopstick.

Cut the sponge to the shape of the jar lid to make a base, then glue it in place.

Attach the figures onto the base using adhesive.

Put glitter into the jar, then add water and liquid laundry starch in a 1:1 ratio and mix well.

Close the jar with the lid that has the figures attached, making sure no air gets in, and you’re done.

Decorate it and create your own original snow globe!

Three-dimensional sculpture made with wire and aluminum foil

Art project idea for upper elementary grades: 3D sculptures made with wire and aluminum foil
Three-dimensional sculpture made with wire and aluminum foil

Let’s make the most of pliers! Here are some ideas for creating three-dimensional artworks using wire and aluminum foil.

By the upper grades, you can use a variety of materials and tools properly and safely, right? This time, let’s try a 3D sculpture by arranging wire and aluminum foil with pliers.

It’s recommended to decide on a theme before you start, but it can also be fun to expand your ideas by comparing accidental shapes with the images in your mind.

If you insert the pieces into styrofoam, they’ll be easier to display!

[Elementary School] Easy One-Day Science Projects and Crafts (221–230)

Melamine sponge sandwich craft

https://www.tiktok.com/@picoton_craft/video/7212556003580185857

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.

Funny Hundred Faces

[For Kids] Craft: “Funny Hundred Faces.” Easy to make and play with just paper and colored pencils. Art/craft/project ideas for elementary schools, kindergartens, and preschools. DIY activities usable in nursing homes and elder care. Introducing play tools you can make at home with your children.
Funny Hundred Faces

This “Funny Hundred Faces” activity is perfect for people who love drawing and have time to take it slow.

It’s a foldable where you open up a square-folded paper and the expression changes bit by bit.

Draw several different faces—smiling, crying, angry, and more.

You can use your teacher’s or friends’ faces as models, or your favorite animals like rabbits or cats.

If you make it with a big sheet of paper, it could even work as a simple mask.

Since the main focus is on drawing illustrations, have fun while you create it!

A piggy bank with a wagging tail

How to Make a Tail-Wagging Piggy Bank [Paper Clay, Swan, Creative Piggy Bank]
A piggy bank with a wagging tail

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!

A soccer game you can make with straws

[Summer Vacation Crafts] Easy! Playable Crafts (For Elementary School Students) [Soccer] [Handmade Toy] Independent Research
A soccer game you can make with straws

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!