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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- Craft ideas using plastic bottle caps [for boys]
[For Summer Vacation Homework!] Easy and Amazing Crafts for Elementary School Kids That Make You Want to Create (181–190)
No-sew pouch made from a snack bag
Do you have a favorite snack? If your favorite snack comes in a bag, how about turning the empty bag into a pouch? Here’s an idea for a sturdy zippered pouch that you can make without using a needle and thread—no sewing required.
First, cut off all four sides of your favorite snack bag, then attach it to a soft card case from a 100-yen shop using double-sided tape.
Do the same for the back side, attach a zipper to the top of the two pieces using fabric double-sided tape, and seal the remaining three sides with double-sided tape—that’s it! It’s so cute you might find yourself wanting to make more than one.
[For Summer Vacation Homework!] Simple and Amazing Crafts for Elementary School Students That You’ll Want to Make When You See Them (191–200)
crane game
It would be fun if we could make a homemade crane game like the ones in arcades, wouldn’t it? In fact, if you understand how those crane games work, you can build one out of cardboard.
The materials include cardboard, yarn, magnets, glue, and a tension rod.
You can get everything at a 100-yen shop, so it’s more affordable than you might think.
However, it’s difficult to make, so I think it would take about a week for older elementary school kids.
snow globe
Why not make your very own original snow globe? The materials you’ll need are water, a jar, a sponge, liquid glue, adhesive, and scissors.
Then prepare items that match the world you want to create—such as figurines, beads, pipe cleaners, or ribbons.
The steps are simple.
Use adhesive to fix a small piece of sponge to the inside of the lid.
Attach non-moving items like figurines to the sponge base.
For moving items like beads or pipe cleaners, first mix liquid glue and water inside the jar, then add them in.
Once you screw on the lid, your one-of-a-kind snow globe is complete! It’s very easy, so even lower-grade elementary school children can enjoy it.
You can make one in about an hour.
Birthday cake box
I’ve been using a wooden pencil holder I made myself back in elementary school for decades.
Don’t you have things you just can’t throw away—things you made yourself and feel attached to? In that spirit, it might be fun to try making a birthday cake box you can use forever.
There’s a lot of drying and gluing involved, so you might not be able to finish it in a day or two! What you’ll need are round boxes in different sizes and felt or sponges for decoration.
First, wrap the round boxes with colored paper.
Choose the paper based on the kind of cake you want to make.
Stack the boxes, then just add fruit and chocolate decorations with felt.
Older elementary school kids who like crafts should be able to handle it!
A running cardboard mini car
Isn’t a car one of the things kids want to try making? This video explains how to make a toy car using a single piece of cardboard.
You’ll need thick cardboard, plastic bottle caps, bamboo skewers, a hot glue gun, and rubber bands.
Most of these are common household items, and you can buy a hot glue gun at a 100-yen shop.
Draw a blueprint on the cardboard and cut it out accordingly.
Make holes in the bottle caps, insert the bamboo skewers, and then pass them through the cardboard.
Older elementary school kids could probably make it in about an hour.
LED candle
A candle holder for enjoying light by placing a candle inside.
How about decorating a glass jar by attaching your favorite translucent tiles or rhinestones, and adding a glass ornament on top? It’s a craft that also works as an interior decor item after you make it.
LED lights shaped like candles are sold at 100-yen shops, so put one inside and enjoy.
It’s safe and easy, and if you use an LED, you can even make it with a plastic container instead of glass.
pen holder
A pen holder that can store pencils, pens, scissors, and more is a must-have for your desk, right? If you use a handmade pen holder every day, it might even help you study more efficiently! Fold your favorite patterned origami paper to make six parts, then glue them together.
Finally, cut a piece of cardboard for the bottom and fix it in place, and you’ve got a hexagonal pen holder.
It’s a simple craft that even children can try.
If it’s hard to make on your own, ask a parent or guardian to help! You can also decorate it with stickers, masking tape, or beads to create a unique piece.
