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!
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- 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 (81–90)
Sugoroku

Sugoroku is a classic game for kids.
You roll the dice, move forward the number of spaces shown, and aim for the goal.
How about making your own homemade sugoroku? Like in The Game of Life, you can write mini games or penalties in the spaces, or things like “move forward one space” or “go back to the start.” It’s also fun to pick a theme for the design.
For example, turn your neighborhood and its surroundings into a map, draw local specialties and sightseeing spots, or, if there’s a sea, fold an origami boat and stick it on.
Try creating a sugoroku that reflects your own style.
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.
Simple kaleidoscope

Let’s make a kaleidoscope that shows rainbow colors.
Prepare three mirrors for a kaleidoscope and glue them together into a triangular prism with the mirror sides facing inward.
Place this inside a toilet paper tube, and seal one end with black construction paper that you’ve pierced with numerous holes using a pin.
Seal the other end with black construction paper that has a diffraction (rainbow) film attached at the center.
Finally, decorate the outside of the toilet paper tube with masking tape or similar, and you’re done! It’s very easy, so please give it a try.
It’s not a kaleidoscope with changing patterns, but the rainbow colors are truly beautiful.
Kaleidoscope in an ice cup

A kaleidoscope where you can enjoy geometric, mysterious pattern changes.
Let’s make such a kaleidoscope using an ice cream cup.
First, use nail polish remover to erase the letters and designs from two ice cream cup lids.
Next, cut aluminum foil to your preferred length, fold it three times to make a long, narrow rectangle, then cut it into shorter pieces, roll each into a tube, and secure with tape.
Make many small tubes and pack them tightly into the ice cream cup without gaps.
Then put on a lid and sprinkle beads or pieces of translucent origami paper cut into small shapes on top.
Finally, place the other lid on top and tape it in place to finish.
Point it toward the sunlight and spin it around to play.
Handmade okonomiyaki craft
@n.annlee321 I already posted how to make okonomiyaki before. ☺️✨#HandmadeToysSummer Vacation CraftChildcare
♬ Athletic Meet “Heaven and Hell” (No Introduction) – Shinonome
Let’s try making okonomiyaki and yakisoba—just like the ones you see at summer festival stalls—using craft materials! Here, we mainly introduce how to make the griddle and spatula.
Feel free to create the okonomiyaki and yakisoba themselves using yarn, felt, and other materials.
For the griddle, cut 2 cm-wide strips from both long edges of a color foam board and attach silver origami paper to them.
Then cover the remaining center piece with black construction paper to form the griddle surface, and glue it between the cut side pieces.
Also attach 1 cm-wide strips of silver origami along the top and bottom edges of the griddle.
Draw in the vent openings, and it’s complete! For the spatula, cut a milk carton into a spatula shape and cover it with aluminum foil—that’s all you need!
For lower grades (91–100)
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.



