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!
- Simple yet amazing crafts: craft ideas that elementary school students will want to make
- Elementary School Students: Simple One-Day Science Project and Craft Ideas
- Simple but awesome! Craft ideas for upper-grade girls
- Recommended for elementary school students! Science fair topics & craft ideas
- DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love: ideas you can make with everyday materials
- 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]
Perfect for summer break homework! Easy and awesome crafts for elementary school kids that you’ll want to make (1–10)
Cute crafts in the kitchen
Do you know the book “Cute Crafts in the Kitchen for Elementary School Students,” published by Gakken? It’s packed with fun craft ideas, including many that would be perfect for summer vacation projects and crafts.
Let me introduce one from the book: the “Paper Dome Cup.” The simple process is to coat a water balloon with glue, wrap it with Japanese paper or tissue paper, and once it’s dry, pop the balloon.
It doesn’t take much time, so it’s recommended even for those who are short on time.
Crafts you can play with
In this Reiwa era, where digital devices have surrounded us since the day we were born, it’s nice to enjoy some analog play from time to time.
So here’s a summer craft you can make and play with right away: the “Wobbly Tree.” Glue a branching tree onto half of a toy capsule.
Hang rubber bands from the branches one by one, and the person who knocks the tree over loses.
If you substitute the toy capsule base with something else, you can make an even bigger tree.
There are also videos introducing other playable crafts, so if you’re interested, be sure to check them out.
Cardboard vending machine
Let’s introduce a cardboard vending machine that looks just like the real thing.
Insert a coin and press a button, and a drink will come out from inside.
Gather the materials—milk cartons, cardboard, bubble gum, rubber bands, paper clips, plastic sheets, tape, glue, a ruler, scissors, and a utility knife—and let’s get building.
We’ll start by making the internal parts of the cardboard vending machine.
The key is to carefully measure each part and cut it to the correct size before assembling.
Measure the base cardboard as well to ensure it’s the right size to hold the drinks, then build accordingly.
It also sounds fun to make your own original drinks!
Boomerang made from paper cups
Let me introduce a unique boomerang that might boost kids’ reflexes.
This boomerang is made from paper cups, but it’s apparently hard to catch when it returns—so it could help train reflexes.
Fix and connect the bottoms of two paper cups with cellophane tape.
Insert a bent paper clip into the joined section.
Set the paper-cup boomerang onto a launcher made from a chopstick with a rubber band fixed to it, and then just launch it.
It takes some technique to throw and catch, but mastering it might be part of the fun.
Cool rubber band gun
Let me introduce a strong and cool rubber band gun.
Prepare 17 bendable straws, a clothespin, tape, and scissors, and let’s make it.
Take two straws and tape their bendable sections together to secure them.
Attach one clothespin to the gap of the joined straws to create the base.
When bundling straws, secure them tightly so the stacked pieces don’t shift.
Stack eight straws by grouping them in sets of four, extend the bendable sections, and build the structure.
When attaching parts together, make sure the straws are firmly fixed so they don’t slip.
Once it’s finished, hook on a rubber band and give it a try!
Let’s try making musical instruments from around the world
Let’s make a rainstick, a musical instrument from around the world that sounds like falling rain.
Prepare toothpicks, an empty plastic wrap tube, rubber bands, beads, fabric scraps, nail clippers, a hole punch or awl, and glue.
Start by making spiral-shaped holes along the tube.
It can be slippery, so be careful while punching the holes.
Insert toothpicks into the holes.
Use the nail clippers to trim any parts of the toothpicks that stick out, then apply glue over them to secure.
Cover one end of the tube with fabric and fasten it with a rubber band.
Pour beads in from the other end, then cover that end with fabric and fasten it with a rubber band in the same way.
Decorate the tube, and you’re done.
It’s a rainstick that produces the sound of rain or waves—give it a try!
Authentic handmade guitar
Here’s an introduction to a genuine-sounding guitar you can make using items like toilet paper rolls and paper cups.
You’ll also use a sample-size paper cup; the key is to choose one whose bottom fits the toilet paper roll.
Cut slits in the paper cup, hook rubber bands onto both the cup and the toilet paper roll, and stack the two pieces together.
By adjusting the position of the toilet paper roll, you can improve the sound when you pluck the rubber bands.
If you attach the sample cup and make a pick, you can create an even more authentic guitar—give it a try!