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[Summer Vacation Crafts] Not just make-and-done! A collection of practical ideas you can use every day
We often hear things like, “I don’t know what to make for my summer break project,” or “I want to create something practical!” But don’t worry.
With simple, everyday materials, you can make wonderful projects that are useful in daily life.
Here, we introduce crafts that grow more endearing the more you use them: a sturdy pen holder made from a milk carton, a cute felt humidifier, a metal door plate made from an aluminum sheet, and more.
They’re all simple to make, yet durable enough to use long after they’re finished.
This summer break, try your hand at practical projects the whole family will love!
[Summer Vacation Crafts] Not just something you make and forget! A collection of practical ideas you can use every day (1–10)
Transparent cute coaster
Summer is supposed to be hot, but don’t you feel like the summers lately are getting hotter every year? When it’s hot, we crave cold drinks—so why not make coasters to brighten up your drink time and turn it into a summer science project? You’ll be using two-part resin and other chemicals, so be sure to have an adult or an older sibling help you when handling them.
Aside from working with the chemicals, it’s basically just decorating coasters, so even small children can join in! We’re looking forward to seeing your cool, refreshing coasters!
Sparkling Kaleidoscope
If you’re unsure what to make for your summer vacation craft project, why not try a sparkling kaleidoscope? You can make this kaleidoscope with recycled materials and items from the 100-yen shop.
Cut a hard plastic case and form it into a triangular prism, then place beads in the bottom and secure them.
On the opposite end, attach a piece of black construction paper with a peephole.
Glue a milk carton—lined on the inside with black construction paper—around the triangular prism, and decorate it as you like to finish.
While kaleidoscopes typically use mirrors, in this idea the hard plastic case serves that role.
Torokira Keychain
Do you know those cute accessories with a little doll floating in a tiny plastic bag? You often see them as prizes at festival raffles, but actually, you can make them yourself.
You only need items mostly from a 100-yen shop—like a soft card holder, beads and glitter, liquid laundry starch, and masking tape—so it’s a budget-friendly craft project.
Add cutouts of your favorite character or idol to the decorations, and it instantly becomes merch for your fave! You’ll want to make them for everyone!
10 Musical Instruments You Can Make with Plastic Bottles
https://www.tiktok.com/@kajiijapn/video/6986956918719859970Plastic bottles are often used as materials for crafts.
So this time, how about making musical instruments with plastic bottles? Empty bottles can become drums, flutes, or maracas… With a bit of creativity, they can transform into instruments you can actually play! Bottle caps can also be turned into instruments by combining them with other materials, so don’t throw them away—save them.
It’s also a great idea to keep notes on how the sound changes depending on where you make holes and what you put inside.
Puru-Koro Soap
It’s like a jewel! Let me show you how to make cute, jiggly soap.
You’ll need liquid hand soap, gelatin, hot water, and food coloring.
Dissolve the gelatin in hot water, then mix in the liquid hand soap.
The trick is to stir slowly so it doesn’t foam.
Add food coloring, pour into a flat container, and chill in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours.
Then just cut it into your favorite shapes and you’re done! It looks adorable and might make handwashing more fun.
Just be careful to prevent small children from accidentally swallowing it.
Sparkling hourglass
Let’s make a cute, sparkly hourglass that doubles as interior decor.
Prepare two small bottles, glitter to use as sand, a clear plastic file sheet, and decorative parts.
Cut the clear file slightly larger than the bottle opening and make a hole in the center for the glitter to pass through.
Attach tape and half-cover the hole, then glue it to the bottle.
Add the glitter and glue on the other bottle.
Finish it off cutely with decorative parts.
After adding the glitter, be careful not to turn it over until the adhesive has dried.
basket
Putting sandwiches in a hand-woven basket and heading out—it’s the kind of scene you might find in Anne of Green Gables, isn’t it? Baskets still feel a bit unfamiliar to many in Japan, but why not try making one out of tissue boxes? A single box is too small, so let’s combine four tissue boxes.
Put the four together to make one large box, and use the leftover paper to add a handle—that’s the basic idea.
Then decorate it however you like with lace or fabric scraps.
It could be great for a summer vacation project, too!
lampshade
Here’s a lampshade idea that also works as room decor.
Brush glue mixed with water onto an inflated balloon, then stick on small torn pieces of washi paper.
For sturdiness, layer the washi several times until the balloon’s color isn’t very visible.
Be sure to leave an opening where the light will go.
Since washi is white, use tissue paper if you want to add color.
Once it’s completely dry, pop the balloon and remove it, then secure a wire along the inside edge of the opening for the light to finish it off.
Gem-like soap
Gemstone soaps are available as DIY kits, but they’re easy to make as long as you have glycerin soap and coloring.
Cut the glycerin soap into small pieces and place them in a container, then heat in a microwave at 500W for 10 seconds.
Mix in your favorite colorant to add color, and add aroma for fragrance.
Once you’ve made a few colors, pour them into another container in layers and let them set—that’s it! Try changing the color combinations and see what kinds of gemstones you can create.
Using a clear soap base also gives a light, airy look and is highly recommended.
Handheld fan made from scrap materials
Let’s make a realistic-looking handheld fan out of recycled materials! It won’t produce wind, but you can enjoy watching it spin.
First, poke a hole in the center of two popsicle sticks, thread a bamboo skewer through them to make the propeller, and connect two toilet paper rolls, covering them with origami paper to create the handle.
Cut a circle from thick paper, cover it with origami paper, and punch a hole in the center to make the part behind the propeller.
Slide a short piece of straw onto the bamboo skewer of the propeller, then pass it through the circular part and attach the circle to the handle.
Let the bamboo skewer extend out above the handle, wrap kite string around it, then cut a slit in the handle to guide and secure the string.
Make a hole on the side of the handle, thread the kite string through, and add a bead to the end of the string—and you’re done!