Recommended for elementary school students! Science fair topics & craft ideas
Speaking of summer vacation, choosing a topic for the independent research project can often be tough.
Science experiments and crafts are both fun! If your child is good at crafts, we recommend crafts because they can enjoy the process as they go.
When they get absorbed in it, they might even finish in just a few days.
Here, we’ll introduce a variety of ideas for independent research and crafts! If you’re struggling to pick a theme, please use these as a reference.
To create fun summer memories, make a one-of-a-kind project of your own!
- For summer vacation homework! Simple and amazing crafts for elementary school students that you’ll want to make after seeing them
- 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
- DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love: ideas you can make with everyday materials
- [For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Awesome! A Collection of Summer Vacation Craft Ideas
- For upper-grade boys! Simple yet awesome craft project [Don’t call it lazy]
- Fun crafts using straws
- Recommended for lower elementary school students! A collection of plastic bottle craft ideas made with everyday materials.
- Simple and cute summer project crafts! A collection of ideas for girls that will make you want to create
- [Middle School Students] Easy One-Day Science Projects and Crafts Ideas
- Toys you can make from cardboard crafts! Authentic ideas you can build and play with
- Simple but awesome! Craft ideas for upper-grade girls
- Crafts parents and kids can enjoy together. Recommended craft ideas to keep children entertained.
For lower grades (71–80)
One-Handed Spinning Top
Speaking of bunbun-goma (whirligigs), the usual kind is a paper disc with a string threaded through it that you spin by pulling with both hands.
But this bunbun-goma can be played with one hand.
You can make it with common household items: two wooden chopsticks, cardstock, a straw, kite string, and rubber bands.
Cut the chopsticks, then firmly fasten the piece that the spinner passes through and the base piece together with rubber bands.
Cut two circles from the cardstock, glue them together to make the spinner, and thread the string and straw through the center.
Thread the straw onto the chopstick, and it’s done.
If the straw moves around, insert a toothpick to adjust it so it stays in place.
Kids’ 110 Emergency Safe House Map
On the route from school to home, there are designated safe houses and facilities called “Kodomo 110 Ban no Ie” where children can run for help if they encounter danger.
However, unless you actively look into it, it can be surprisingly hard to know exactly where they are.
It might be a good idea to check them both as something to research and as a way to protect yourself.
It would also be even better to learn which places you should avoid approaching!
Traditional games
Ask your grandparents or elderly neighbors to teach you traditional games like spinning tops or menko, and actually play them together! Since today’s kids mostly play online or with video games and have little connection to these old-fashioned pastimes, it will likely be a fresh and unique experience for them.
A kaleidoscope like a jewelry box
When you think about making a kaleidoscope, it’s easy to imagine it taking a lot of time and being difficult, right? But this method is a brilliant idea you can do right away with things you already have at home.
Make a hole in the lid of an empty cylindrical snack container to let light in.
Instead of just making a round hole, try a flower shape or something similar to make it even prettier.
Stick some clear tape over the hole and color it with permanent markers from the top.
Wrap the tube with black duct tape, and attach bubble wrap to the end opposite the lid.
If you color the bubble wrap too, you’ll have a colorful and fun kaleidoscope ready to enjoy!
stone art
Stone art is a great idea for a summer vacation research or craft project.
If you collect stones while playing by the river or camping, try turning them into an art piece! Simply arrange twigs and stones on a frame however you like, and fix them in place with an adhesive suitable for stones.
Choosing natural materials to pair with the stones gives it a stylish look.
Your child’s free imagination will likely result in a delightful work of art.
It’s also perfect for making memories together, so be sure to enjoy crafting as a parent-child activity over summer vacation.
Well-Flying Archery
Here are some craft ideas for making an archery set using scrap materials.
First, make a slightly larger hole in one spot on a toilet paper roll.
Make the same hole on the opposite side, then cut small slits at the top and bottom and hook a rubber band onto them.
Twist the rubber band once so it forms an X shape.
That completes the bow.
For the arrow, use a straw and a ball made from rolled-up tissue.
Cut one end of the straw into a V shape, then attach the ball—rolled and secured with masking tape—to the other end.
With the arrow finished, thread it onto the bow and try shooting it for fun.
Musical instruments made from empty cans
Let’s have fun making can instruments from empty cans.
Here, we introduce two instruments: an ocarina and another instrument that produces a scale alongside it.
Use an aluminum can for the ocarina and a steel can for the other instrument.
First, here’s how to make the ocarina.
Remove the pull-tab from the can, and tape a slightly thick straw to the mouth opening.
On the side of the can near the mouth opening, use a punch to make five holes spaced 2 centimeters apart.
Make one more hole at the top on the opposite side, and it’s done! For the other instrument, remove the can’s pull-tab and rub the bottom with something hard like a chopstick.
The pitch will change, so adjust it to the notes you want and line them up.