[Summer Vacation Crafts] Not just make-and-done! A collection of practical ideas you can use every day

Handmade toy from an empty snack box

[Elementary School Summer Vacation Crafts/Independent Research] Handmade Toys Using Empty Snack Boxes 🌻 #SummerVacationCrafts #IndependentResearch #Crafts #EasyCrafts #PlayAtHome #HandmadeToys #DIY

Make it with an empty snack box! Here’s how to create a pom‑pom shooting game! First, prepare an empty box that once held something like Choco Pie.

Reinforce the back by attaching a wooden stick so the lid can stay open.

Next, glue wooden sticks to the top and bottom of a wooden clip and wrap a rubber band around it.

Attach a plastic bottle cap to one end, and fix the other end to the back of the box.

Finally, stick a few small paper cups inside the box wherever you like, and you’re done.

Set a cotton ball in the bottle cap and launch it with a pop—have fun playing!

repeating saline solution

Perfect for a summer vacation science project! ~Repeating Saltwater~ [Buntoku High School]

Let’s try a summer break experiment using everyday items like cups and saltwater.

Make a hole in a plastic cup filled with saltwater at your preferred concentration.

Place the saltwater cup inside a larger cup filled with plain water.

You’ll notice something curious: the saltwater will flow out of the hole and then stop, and after a while it will start flowing out again and stop once more.

It could be fun to experiment by changing the salt concentration or the number of holes in the plastic cup.

Just watching this setup is interesting, but there’s also a proper explanation for what’s happening.

Try to think about that answer, too.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Original watch

[Elementary School Craft] Original Clock

Why not try making a one-of-a-kind original clock using a DIY clock kit? First, draw diagonal lines on a canvas board and drill a hole where the lines intersect to attach the movement.

Sketch a few ideas, then paint your design with acrylic gouache based on those sketches.

To make the numbers stand out, you can create them with paper clay.

If you prepare a template that divides a circle into 12 equal parts, it will be easier to decide the placement of the numbers.

Once you finish painting, attach the movement through the hole you prepared in advance.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

Bamboo Speaker

[DIY] How to Make a Bamboo Smartphone Speaker for Zero Material Cost

Let’s try making a speaker that plays sound from your smartphone using bamboo.

It takes advantage of bamboo’s tubular shape to naturally amplify sound through resonance.

If you have a bamboo grove nearby or can get hold of bamboo, this is a perfect summer vacation craft project.

Cut the bamboo, peel off the green outer skin, and lightly scorch the surface with a gas burner.

Charring it with the burner turns it black and gives it a beautiful finish.

Cut out the section where the smartphone will go and drill holes on the surface.

The key is to be careful not to crack the bamboo.

It’s a detailed project, but that makes it all the more rewarding, and you’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind creation.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

10 Musical Instruments Made from Plastic Bottles

Summer Vacation Independent Research: 10 Musical Instruments You Can Make with Plastic Bottles [Crafts]

Musical instruments can produce all kinds of sounds and are fascinating, but many people may feel hesitant to buy a lot when they’re not sure how much they’ll actually use them.

Here, we’ll introduce many instruments you can make using plastic bottles.

For example, castanets made by attaching plastic bottle caps to cardboard, a whistle made by punching a hole in a cap and inserting a straw, and even instruments with different pitches just by letting the air out of a plastic bottle.

There are also plastic bottle drums and a “petphone,” made by connecting plastic bottles cut to various lengths.

Use these as references and give it a try!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

Let’s make a professional kalimba

Let's make an authentic kalimba!

It would be fun to make a genuine musical instrument using items you can get at home improvement stores or online, wouldn’t it? This time, we’ll introduce a handmade, authentic kalimba.

A kalimba is a traditional African instrument played by plucking thin metal tines attached to a box or board.

Using a box or board allows the sound to resonate.

Let’s try making one by building a wooden box and attaching thin rods.

Specialized kalimba metal tines, called kalimba keys, are also available from online retailers.

Master the playing technique, and let your kalimba produce beautiful tones.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

A piggy bank with a wagging tail

How to Make a Tail-Wagging Piggy Bank [Paper Clay, Swan, Creative Piggy Bank]

When it comes to classic summer independent projects, a “piggy bank” is a staple.

The “Yucho Idea Piggy Bank Contest” held by Japan Post Bank is also well-known.

You might think, “Have all the ideas been used up by now?” but every year a lot of creative piggy banks appear.

So, here’s one to introduce: the “wagging-tail piggy bank.” The simple mechanism is that the weight of the coin you drop in makes the tail sway gently.

If you expand on this mechanism, you could adapt the idea to things like a fishing game or a dinosaur’s neck.

We recommend using air-dry paper clay, which you can paint once it dries!