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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 for making and forgetting! A collection of practical ideas you can use every day (41–50)

Botanical candle

[100-Yen DIY] How to Make a Botanical Candle (with Detailed Explanation) / Making a Botanical Candle
Botanical candle

Let’s add some flair to candles and make cute-looking botanical candles.

The process is simple: pour melted wax into a candle mold and let it harden.

A key point is the double-layer structure—an inner core where the flame burns and an outer layer sprinkled with dried flowers.

This design prevents the flame from catching on the outer decorations, making it nice and safe.

It’s also important to place the dried flowers with gaps so the wax can flow and set properly; proceed while keeping balance in mind.

Bring out your originality with your choice of dried flowers and other decorations.

[Summer Vacation Crafts] Not just for making and forgetting! A collection of practical ideas you can use every day (51–60)

Butterfly flower hair clip

[Summer Vacation Craft] Butterfly & Flower Clips – also lovely as interior decor
Butterfly flower hair clip

Let’s make adorable butterfly and flower clips.

In the video, the butterfly part uses store-bought pieces, but you can also cut your own from sturdy materials like construction paper.

First, decorate the butterfly freely with colored pencils or beads.

Then simply use a hot glue gun to attach the butterfly to a clip, and you’re done! You can make the flowers the same way: punch out lots of flower shapes from origami or construction paper, layer them, and glue them to a clip.

They’re perfect not only for holding books and notebooks, but also as cute interior decorations.

These bright, cheerful accessories will liven up your mood—give them a try!

Iced Deco Cup

@mugimama_diy

I tried decorating it with those ice-like things you always see at the dollar store ✨ What do you think? Looks cool and cute, right? 💓Summer Vacation CraftDeco video#simpleDIY

Original song – Mugi Mama DIY 🧵🪡 – Mugi Mama DIY 🧵🪡

Let’s make an “icy deco cup” using interior stones and a cup sold at 100-yen shops.

All you need is your favorite cup, interior stones, a hot glue gun, and any decorative parts you like.

It’s really simple to make—just use the glue gun to attach the interior stones and parts to the cup! If you choose clear, colorless parts to match the interior stones, the whole thing will look like an ice glass.

You can use store-bought parts, or if you’re good with resin, you can make your own.

Flower fidget spinner

@n.annlee321

A festive plum blossom hand spinner ☺️✨#2022#tiktok classroomLife with children#VideoYouCan'tHelpButWatch

♬ Relaxing cute everyday BGM – Hiraoka

How about making your own hand spinner that twirls between your fingers or on a desk, finished in a cute flower shape? Use two circles cut from cardboard for the finger pads, connect them with a toothpick to form the axle, and attach the spinning flower piece between them, leaving a slight gap as you assemble the axle.

The way it spins will change depending on the gap between your fingers and the rotating part, as well as the size of the hole the toothpick passes through, so try building it while experimenting with ways to make it spin longer.

Flower Hand-cranked Spinning Top

@n.annlee321

A hand-spun top that you spin with your palm ☺️✨Summer Vacation Craft#tiktok classroomLife with children#HandmadeToys

♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Let’s make a hand-spun top that you spin vigorously with your hand, designed with a cute, flower-inspired look.

We’ll use a disposable chopstick as the top’s axle, and wrap long, folded strips of paper around it to form the shape of the top.

Everyone should clearly imagine their favorite flower and think about which colors of paper will best match that flower.

Wrapping the paper tightly is the key to making the whole piece sturdy and ensuring it spins well.

Cute shaved ice piggy bank

https://www.tiktok.com/@n.annlee321/video/7264136172731944194

Here’s an idea for a shaved-ice coin bank made from a milk carton.

It’s adorable because a little face pops out when you put a coin in.

Prepare a small milk carton and peel off the outer printed layer so it’s white.

Cut the spout into a mountain shape.

Draw the syrup part with a pen, attach an iridescent (aurora) sheet, and create the slot for inserting coins.

Next, pierce a rotating cardboard piece with a bamboo skewer and fix it inside the milk carton.

Thread the face piece onto the part of the skewer that sticks out of the carton and glue it in place, then decorate the other end with beads.

Attach thick paper around it to hide the skewer, and close the spout to finish.

An hourglass made of straws

@silk_haru3mama

Summer vacation craft 🌻 It's fun—when you flip it over like an hourglass, the straws flow down! ⌛️#Summer VacationSummer Vacation Craft#AtHomePlay#HandmadeToysworkEducational toy#craft

♬ Another Day of Sun from La La Land [ORIGINAL COVER] – SoundWorks

Let’s make a toy where short straws fall like an hourglass.

First, cut a wire to 40 cm and wrap it around a pencil to make a spring.

Prepare two small paper cups and make a hole in the center of each bottom; thread one cup onto one end of the spring and secure it.

Stretch the spring and thread short, cut pieces of straw onto it.

Then thread and secure the other paper cup on the opposite end.

To prevent the spring from expanding and contracting, bridge two chopsticks between the two cups and glue them in place, and you’re done! Decorate the paper cups and chopsticks with masking tape or stickers to make it cute.