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 upper-grade boys! Simple yet awesome craft project [Don’t call it lazy]
- Paper cup crafts that elementary school kids will love! A collection of fun project ideas
- Fun crafts using straws
- Toys you can make from cardboard crafts! Authentic ideas you can build and play with
- Simple and cute summer project crafts! A collection of ideas for girls that will make you want to create
- Crafts parents and kids can enjoy together. Recommended craft ideas to keep children entertained.
- [For Adults] Simple yet Impressive Crafts: A Stylish, Eye-Catching Collection
- Craft ideas using plastic bottle caps [for boys]
For Summer Vacation Homework! Simple and Amazing Crafts for Elementary School Students You’ll Want to Make (211–220)
Let’s make a flute
As a one-day science project, here’s a fun idea for making a simple flute.
Since this involves using fire, be sure to work with an adult.
Prepare three thick straws and flatten one end of each.
Use a lighter to gently heat the flattened end, then pinch the melted section with a clip to seal it.
After making all three the same way, blow into them—you’ll hear a flute-like sound.
The pitch changes with the length of the straws, so adjust them to create the scale you like.
3 simple coasters
How about making coasters as a summer vacation craft? Here, we’ll introduce three methods.
The first is a coaster made by arranging tiles on top of paper clay.
The second is a coaster made by lining up beads and melting them in the microwave.
The third is a summery coaster that expresses a seasonal scene by placing shells, sequins, and stickers in resin.
They’re all easy to make, so give them a try.
You can buy most of the materials at 100-yen shops.
Simple kaleidoscope
Let’s make a kaleidoscope that shows rainbow colors.
Prepare three mirrors for a kaleidoscope and glue them together into a triangular prism with the mirror sides facing inward.
Place this inside a toilet paper tube, and seal one end with black construction paper that you’ve pierced with numerous holes using a pin.
Seal the other end with black construction paper that has a diffraction (rainbow) film attached at the center.
Finally, decorate the outside of the toilet paper tube with masking tape or similar, and you’re done! It’s very easy, so please give it a try.
It’s not a kaleidoscope with changing patterns, but the rainbow colors are truly beautiful.
Sparkly Piggy Bank
Try making a sparkly coin bank adorned with gem-like, beautiful beads! Cut a plastic bottle in half and place it on a base made from cardboard.
Cut a slot for inserting coins, and then all that’s left is to decorate it with beads and more! Feel free to embellish it however you like—“cute” or “luxurious,” just the way you imagine.
If you make use of the lines already on the plastic bottle, your decorations won’t end up looking messy.
The cap area stands out the most, so you’ll want to give it extra special attention!
haniwa
Let’s try making haniwa, the clay figures from Japan’s Kofun period that come in many shapes.
Since they were originally made of clay, paper clay gives a convincing finish and is highly recommended.
All you need are easy-to-find materials like a toilet paper roll or straws and some paper clay to get started.
You can create a variety of expressions, like smiling or surprised faces, and pose the arms in different ways.
Give it a go and make your own original haniwa—big, small, and full of personality!
Original bath bomb
This is an easy bath bomb craft that even lower elementary school kids can make.
The materials are baking soda, citric acid, essential oil, food coloring, and a silicone mold.
It’s great that you can get all of them at 100-yen shops or supermarkets! All you do is mix and press into the mold.
If you add more colors of food coloring, you can make very colorful bath bombs that look super cute.
If you put a small toy inside, it will dissolve in the bath and the toy will pop out—so fun! You can make them in a single day, so it’s a reassuring idea for when you realize, “I forgot my craft homework!”
Glider made from a cup yakisoba container
When there’s nothing to eat, cup yakisoba is super handy, right? How about using the empty container to make a glider once you’ve finished eating! All you need are an un-split pair of wooden chopsticks, the cup yakisoba container, and a thick rubber band.
You’re all set.
You can make it in 1–2 hours.
If you’re good with your hands, even 3rd or 4th graders can do it.
First, without splitting the chopsticks, make the part where the rubber band will hook.
Then make the glider’s body using the empty container and attach it to the chopsticks.
Be sure to make the rubber band hook part especially sturdy.
Attach a thick rubber band for launching the glider to another pair of chopsticks.
It works well if you wrap it tightly with cellophane tape.
And that’s it—you’re done.
Decorate your glider to make it look cool! Also, when launching it, make sure there’s no one around you.