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

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.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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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.

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Nakajima Junko

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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!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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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.

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Nakajima Junko

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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!