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

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

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 Students] Easy One-Day Independent Research and Craft Ideas (51–60)

Let’s learn about sugar crystallization while making canelés.

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Let’s make an experimental piece using a canelé mold for sweets.

Put powdered gelatin into a container filled with water and heat it in the microwave.

After heating, add sugar, color it with edible food coloring, and heat it in the microwave again.

Pour it into the canelé mold, and once it sets, remove it from the mold.

Your beautiful, colorful sugar canelés are ready.

At first, they look jiggly, but after a week, the sugar crystallizes and they turn into sparkly, crystal-like pieces.

You can enjoy watching the sugar change over time.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Cake-shaped accessory case

@hoikushisatomi
[Even kids can make it] Cake-like trinket box 🍰Seasonal crafts Childcare ideas Life with children Nursery teacher / Childcare worker #Creative Play Kids will love it Children's Day #crafts #craftkids
♫ Winter Maple Leaves – Sasa.

Here’s an idea for a cake-themed trinket holder made with paper cups.

First, take one paper cup and cut straight from the rim down to the base, then cut out the base as well.

Use this as the template base, and decorate it by attaching felt or construction paper to make it look like a cake.

Once you’ve finished decorating the base, attach it to another paper cup, and you’re done.

It’s easy and cute, and you can customize the decoration however you like—highly recommended! With a bit more effort, you can even add a lid to the trinket holder, so give that a try if you have the time.

Raise the rankinglower

Hane Keisuke

Report a problem

Refreshing! Square Bag

@n.annlee321
A cool-looking square bag design 💕 Perfect for a summer vacation craft project, too 🥰🫶✨#100-yen-shop #100-yen shop DIY #Summer Vacation Summer Vacation Craft Daiso
♬ Good luck to me tomorrow – NANAOAKARI

Here’s an idea for making a bag using bag hardware from a 100-yen shop, plant pot mesh, and yarn in your favorite color and material.

First, cut the plant pot mesh to match the size of the bag hardware, then crochet or stitch the yarn onto the mesh.

Once you’ve finished attaching the yarn, sew the mesh and the bag hardware together.

Finally, add the handles and your favorite decorations to complete the bag.

With this method as a reference, it seems like you could create all kinds of items depending on your ideas!

Raise the rankinglower

Hane Keisuke

Report a problem

Butter Even Elementary School Students Can Make

@nonno.chan
I recreated a summer vacation science project I made a long time ago: homemade butter!#Summer Vacation Independent Research #HandmadeButter Homework #tiktoksummerbreak #meiji Meiji Delicious Fresh Cream
♬ 3 minutes cooking style pop / cooking / sweets(957554) – ArcTracks

Here’s a summer vacation science project idea for making authentic butter at home using heavy cream, salt, and a plastic bottle.

Put heavy cream and a pinch of salt into a plastic bottle, close the cap tightly, and shake it vigorously.

After shaking for a while, the contents will separate into liquid and solids.

This is the sign that butter and buttermilk have separated.

Pour off the liquid, cut the bottle open with scissors, and take out the contents—the butter is ready.

Spread it on bread to enjoy a special flavor that really lets you feel you made it yourself.

Watching the cream change teaches about dairy processing and fat separation.

The hands-on, energetic shaking is fun and gives a sense of accomplishment, making this a great idea for elementary school students.

Raise the rankinglower

mutō

Report a problem

[Elementary School] Simple One-Day Science Projects and Crafts (61–70)

Milk Carton Rolling Tower

@silk_haru3mama
[Summer Vacation Craft/Independent Study] I made a rolling ball tower out of a milk carton 🌻#Summer Vacation Summer Vacation Independent Research Summer Vacation Craft translation #HandmadeToys work Independent Research Scrap Material Crafting Simple craft #AtHomePlay #craft
♬ Electro Swing Jazz – Retro, strange, mysterious(1137053) – Ponetto

Let’s reuse empty milk cartons to make a fun rolling tower where a ping-pong ball tumbles down! Cut the milk cartons and connect two of them to create a long cylindrical base.

Make holes and slits in paper plates, attach them in a stepped arrangement, and adjust the angles so the ball rolls smoothly through.

Add slits to the side of the cylinder so the ball won’t stop midway and will drop all the way to the bottom.

If you wrap the whole thing with a tube-shaped cover made from a clear file, the ball won’t fly out and it’s safer to play with.

A bonus is that kids can learn about gravity and incline through the speed of the rolling ball and the fun sounds it makes.

It’s an eco-friendly idea that uses recycled materials to create a moving, interactive project.

Raise the rankinglower

mutō

Report a problem

A piggy bank that helps you save while having fun

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Let’s use Daiso’s 3-tier drawer case to make a fun, game-like piggy bank over summer break.

First, flip the second and third drawers upside down and reassemble them so the flat sides face the front.

Next, cut corrugated plastic (plastic cardboard) into any shapes you like and attach it to the outside of the drawers to create a design that looks great.

Inside, apply double-sided tape so coins pause partway and drop slowly as they travel down.

With a piggy bank you made yourself, saving money becomes fun and easier to turn into a habit.

It’s a unique, practical idea that can change your everyday life through creativity and ingenuity.

Raise the rankinglower

mutō

Report a problem

Making Konpeito (traditional Japanese sugar candy)

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Let’s try making handmade konpeitō—colorful, cute sugar candies—for a summer vacation science project.

Boil sugar and water to make syrup, then gradually add small amounts of konpeitō cores; as you do, little spikes will slowly form on the surface.

By adding food coloring or flavorings during the process, you can customize the taste and color to your liking.

Even without special equipment, you can keep stirring and improvising with a frying pan or a bowl; it takes time, but the candies will gradually take on the characteristic konpeitō shape.

Because the results change depending on the temperature and timing of sugar crystallization and how you stir, it’s also enjoyable as a science experiment.

It’s a rewarding idea that nurtures both confectionery skills and observation.

Raise the rankinglower

mutō

Report a problem