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[Indoor Activities] A Collection of Craft Ideas Recommended for Elementary School Students

These days, DIY has firmly taken root as a go-to hobby.

When you visit a home improvement store or a 100-yen shop, you’ll even find dedicated sections for it.

Plenty of households probably already have the materials and tools on hand.

In this article, we’ve rounded up craft ideas recommended for elementary school students who are interested in making things!

We’ll introduce everything from board games everyone can play together to practical ideas you can keep using at home after you’ve made them.

Find the project that suits you best and give it a try!

[Indoor Activities] A Collection of Craft Ideas Recommended for Elementary School Students (211–220)

Handheld fan made from scrap materials

[Summer Vacation Craft] How to Make a Handheld Fan Using Recycled Materials — Great for Elementary School Science Projects
Handheld fan made from scrap materials

Combine materials around you to make a handheld fan that creates a fun breeze.

Drill a small hole in a popsicle stick and pass a skewer through the center to form the base for the blades.

Prepare a straw to serve as the shaft, then attach a round-cut piece of cardstock and brightly colored origami paper to complete the blade section.

Make a hole in the center of the shaft as well, assemble everything so it spins, thread it through the straw, and insert it into the handle.

Wrap thread around it, pull, and pass it through a bead—the moment you pull, the blades will spin.

With a bit of ingenuity, you can change the look and the strength of the wind and enjoy the freedom of creativity.

It’s an idea that lets you repurpose scrap materials to create a one-of-a-kind project.

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!

A log house made of paper straws

[Summer Vacation Craft for Elementary Schoolers] Make a Log Cabin-Style Treasure Box with 100-Yen Shop Paper Straws!
A log house made of paper straws

Let’s make your very own special treasure chest! Here’s an idea for a paper-straw log house.

Do you have treasured items like precious memories or pretty stones? This time, let’s use paper straws to create a treasure box that looks like a log house.

What you’ll need: paper straws, glue, a pen, scissors, and a ruler.

You can use white or colorful straws, but using kraft straws will give it a warm, log-house feel.

[Indoor Activities] A Collection of Recommended Craft Ideas for Elementary School Students (221–230)

My own handmade instrument

[Summer Vacation Craft] Stand out from the crowd with your very own original instrument! Trombone Edition
My own handmade instrument

Let me show you how to make a trombone with a pleasing tone.

Prepare one thin PVC pipe, one thick PVC pipe, a funnel, vinyl tape, and aluminum tape, and let’s build it.

Slide the thin PVC pipe inside the thick PVC pipe to assemble it.

Insert a cut-off mouthpiece into the thin end and secure it with vinyl tape.

On the opposite end of the thin PVC pipe, wrap aluminum tape to slightly thicken the tip.

The key is to have a small gap when the PVC pipes are nested.

Attach the funnel to the end of the thick PVC pipe, and you’re done.

Blow into it and—surprise! You’ll hear the sound of a trombone.

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!

Cardboard guitar that makes sound

Let's Make a Sound-Making Guitar! [Cardboard Craft]
Cardboard guitar that makes sound

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!

[100-yen shop] Squishy made with tape balloons

[Jewel-like 💎 Squishy Squish ✨] #indoorplay #parentchildplay #crafts #squishy
[100-yen shop] Squishy made with tape balloons

This is a curious craft that looks and feels mysterious: a clear, soft ball sprinkled with beautiful flowers.

It uses a tape balloon you can even get at a 100-yen shop, and you place flowers and decorations inside by sticking them onto the tape.

Close it as if you were sealing a water bottle, peel off the film, then add water after removing the film.

Shape it into a sphere, and it’s done.

Let’s carefully consider what size makes it easier to make and what items to put inside to make it look beautiful.