For summer vacation homework! Simple and amazing crafts for elementary school students that you’ll want to make after seeing them
A fun summer vacation homework project for kids: crafts! But as children move into the upper grades, they can run out of ideas and worry about making something that doesn’t end up being the same as their friends’.
So here, we’re introducing craft ideas recommended for elementary school students from lower to upper grades.
Many use materials you already have at home or can buy at a 100-yen shop, so they’re easy to try.
The ideas are designed to help kids discover their own unique projects and express their creativity.
Use these as a reference and make some wonderful summer vacation memories!
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[For Summer Vacation Homework!] Easy and Awesome Crafts for Elementary School Students That You'll Want to Make When You See Them (61–70)
Musical instruments made from empty cans
Let’s have fun making can instruments from empty cans.
Here, we introduce two instruments: an ocarina and another instrument that produces a scale alongside it.
Use an aluminum can for the ocarina and a steel can for the other instrument.
First, here’s how to make the ocarina.
Remove the pull-tab from the can, and tape a slightly thick straw to the mouth opening.
On the side of the can near the mouth opening, use a punch to make five holes spaced 2 centimeters apart.
Make one more hole at the top on the opposite side, and it’s done! For the other instrument, remove the can’s pull-tab and rub the bottom with something hard like a chopstick.
The pitch will change, so adjust it to the notes you want and line them up.
cotton ball lights
A lamp shade with a soft, round texture that’s adorably charming.
It’s nice that you can make it just by inflating a water balloon, wrapping colorful cotton yarn around it, and letting it dry.
What you’ll need: water balloons, cotton yarn, glue, LED string lights, batteries, and a brush.
For the paste to stick the yarn, put glue in a container, add a little water, and brush it on.
After letting it dry completely for 1–2 days, pop the balloon inside and it’s done.
Make several in different colors for a vibrant piece that fits perfectly into your interior decor.
Using jute twine instead of cotton yarn will give it a different look.
Minecraft pen holder
When it comes to woodworking projects, you might think the finished piece will look cool, but also that it seems difficult.
In fact, for this parquet-style project, there are sets available that include pre-cut pieces of wood in different colors, so even lower-grade elementary students can easily create wooden works using them.
As long as you come up with a good design, all you need to do is glue the pieces together and then use finishing sandpaper and varnish.
Since it’s all about combining squares, it’s also easier to plan your design if you take inspiration from Minecraft.
Squeeze
Squishies are popular toys because they feel good to squeeze.
How about a craft project where you make your own original squishy design? All you need are a sponge and some coloring pens.
It’s easy to make, so it’s great for younger elementary school kids too.
If you cut the sponge, you can shape it any way you like—try making your favorite characters!
Kaleidoscope Made with Origami
Let’s make a kaleidoscope out of origami that you can spin around.
You’ll need 26 sheets each of 8 colors, for a total of 208 sheets.
You can easily find origami paper at 100-yen shops and the like.
To make it, fold all 208 sheets into the same shape.
It takes some patience, but once everything is folded, you just assemble and glue the pieces together to finish—so give it a try! If a child is good at origami, they can attempt this project from around the middle elementary grades.
You can complete it in one day, but if it’s hard to stay focused, try folding a little each day and finish over several days.
Easy! A chopstick rubber band gun that can even use hair ties
This rubber band gun made from disposable chopsticks is very simple—you just bundle the chopsticks together and fasten them with rubber bands.
First, stack four chopsticks and secure them in two places with rubber bands.
To catch the rubber band that will serve as the projectile, leave the top and bottom sticks of the four sticking out a bit longer.
Attach a clothespin together with the topmost rubber band at the rear.
The rubber band projectile is gripped by both the clothespin and the chopsticks; when you pull the clothespin, the band shoots out.
Try using a hair tie as the projectile—it won’t hurt much even if it hits you.
Even grade-schoolers can make it! Triple-shot chopstick rubber band gun
You might think it’s just a simple chopstick rubber band gun, but it actually has a feature that lets you fire three rubber bands.
The building process is straightforward: attach a handle to a bundle of chopsticks that serves as the base, then install a movable trigger so that it’s sandwiched in place.
What’s crucial here are the trigger shape and the positions where the rubber bands are hooked.
By attaching three rubber bands at different positions, they will fire in sequence.
The hooking method for each band is also intricate, so doing that accurately is a key point.