For summer vacation homework! Simple and amazing crafts for elementary school students that you’ll want to make after seeing them

mini straw hat

Crafting with plastic bottle caps: how to make a straw hat

Here’s an introduction to making a cute straw hat using a plastic bottle cap and a milk carton.

You’ll need: a plastic bottle cap, a milk carton, twisted cord in a straw-hat color, tape, scissors, glue, and a fine brush.

First, cut out the brim of the straw hat from the milk carton.

Once you’ve cut the milk carton into a circle, tape it to the cap to create the base.

Next, carefully wrap the twisted cord around the brim, starting from the outside and spiraling inward.

After covering the entire surface, trim any excess cord and use a brush to apply wood glue thinned with water.

Once it dries and the cord is fixed in place, turn it over and cut out the brim area where the head would go—done! Add a red ribbon for a cute accent.

Since it involves fine work, it’s recommended for elementary school students in the middle grades and up.

It’s a craft you can complete in a single day.

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sasashina

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stained-glass-style lamp

Stained-glass-style lamp craft

Do you know stained glass? You’ve probably seen pictures made of glass or colored glass windows—that beautiful, intricately crafted colored glass.

Sometimes we’re captivated by the stained glass we see in hotels or churches.

This time, let’s make a lamp that looks like stained glass! Don’t worry, we won’t use real glass.

There’s quite a bit of cutting involved, so it’s suited for upper elementary grades.

You’ll need a milk carton, transparent colored cellophane, and a small lamp you can buy at a 100-yen shop.

First, cut off the top three-segment section of the milk carton.

Then open it up and cut out square window shapes on all four sides.

Attach the colored cellophane over the cutouts.

Assemble it, place the lamp inside, and you’re done.

Plan for about 3–4 hours to work comfortably.

Stationery storage file

I made a storage file for stationery — an easy DIY craft even elementary school kids can do.

Scissors, sticky notes, a ruler, and pens—this idea is to make a stationery storage file that can hold all the essential items elementary school students use in a single folder.

You can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop, so it’s a budget-friendly craft.

First, open an A4 file and decide where each item will be stored.

Once decided, attach them using double-sided tape or a glue gun.

It’s also fun to decorate it in your own style with washi tape and stickers! You can make it in a few hours, and with a guardian’s help, even lower-grade students can try it—just be careful when using the glue gun.

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sasashina

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Fun-to-shake shaker

Here’s a fun shaker made from a plastic wrap core.

Use origami made of film.

Wrap double-sided tape around the core and seal one end with the origami.

From the other side, add beads or similar fillings and seal it the same way with origami.

Wrap washi tape around it, then cut the origami into strips and wrap them on.

Add googly-eye stickers and a mouth to finish! It’s fun to dance with to music, too.

Little kids will enjoy it, so be sure to make it together and have a great time!

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kepiko

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Fly! Core Rocket

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Here’s how to make an easy “core rocket.” You’ll need a plastic wrap core, a toilet paper core, two rubber bands, and a straw.

First, cut the straw so it’s just a little longer than the opening of the toilet paper core.

Link the two rubber bands by looping them together.

Tape the rubber bands to the straw, then tape the straw onto the plastic wrap core with cellophane tape.

Once it’s set up so the toilet paper core can be launched, you’re done! Decorate the toilet paper core however you like to make your own original rocket.

Have fun and get creative!

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kepiko

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Marble coaster with a spiral coil

How to Make a Marble Run/Spiral Coil — How to Build a Marble Run Machine Spiral Coil

Let’s make a slightly unusual spiral-type marble run using wire! First, wrap the wire around a rod whose diameter is close to that of the marble.

As you wrap, check to make sure the marble can fall properly through the coiled wire and that the loops aren’t so large that the marble drops straight down in an instant.

Next, create a path out of cardboard that leads the marble to the spiral wire, and combine it with the wire to complete the course! It’s also fun to connect it with other tracks.

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SAKI

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Making instruments with a plastic wrap core

No drill or cutter needed: Make instruments with a plastic wrap core [Crafts]

Let’s make a Chilean instrument that sounds like rain using a plastic wrap core! First, mark a bunch of toothpicks at the length of the wrap core so they match its length.

Next, cut the wrap core in a spiral.

Glue the cut toothpicks along the spiral using wood glue or similar adhesive.

Once you return the spiraled core to its original shape, seal the openings with duct tape.

Put in grains like mixed grains, different sizes of rice, beads, or beans.

After you cap it, your Chilean instrument, the rainstick, is complete!

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kepiko

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