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 upper grades (1–10)
Terrarium
A terrarium is a way of growing plants such as moss inside a small glass container.
Its appeal lies not only in the ease of keeping plants in a palm-sized space, but also in the ability to create a tiny world by combining soil, plants, and miniatures.
The method is very simple: plant your chosen plants in soil placed inside a glass container in any arrangement you like, then decorate with pebbles or miniatures.
If you close the lid and place it in a sunny spot, moisture will circulate inside and the plants will grow.
Be sure to pay attention to that aspect of plant growth and observe it carefully.
Tyrannosaurus made from a paper cup
With summer vacation nearing its end, many people have probably struggled to come up with a topic for their independent research projects.
In times like that, here’s a great recommendation: a budget-friendly Tyrannosaurus made from paper cups that you can finish in a short time! The only materials you need are paper cups from a 100-yen shop.
It’s super easy, yet the result is a cool, realistic-looking T.
rex.
The basic method is to cut and combine the paper cups.
Use a single color for a sleek look, or mix various colors for a pop-style T.
rex—feel free to customize it however you like!
Well-flying! Paper Airplane
Paper airplanes have long been beloved as a children’s pastime.
There are many ways to fold them, and the way they fly can vary greatly depending on the size and material of the paper you use.
If you make different kinds of paper airplanes and investigate their flight paths and distances, it will not only be a fun independent project but also one that’s sure to capture people’s interest.
Since you can apply your research to make better paper airplanes for your own play, it’s a perfect summer vacation project that will also come in handy when playing with friends.
For upper grades (11–20)
smart ball
Let’s make a smart ball game (pinball-style game) using only items from a 100-yen shop! The materials are: a perforated board (pegboard), square wooden rods, rubber bands, marbles, nails, wooden dowels, and a plastic sheet.
First, cut the square rods and use nails to create a frame on the board.
Next, attach square rods to serve as guides for the striker, then hammer in one nail on each side to hook rubber bands onto.
Make the striker by gluing together two cut square rods and hammering a nail into it.
Insert the striker inside the guides, and hook rubber bands onto the three nails.
Cut the plastic sheet into 2 cm strips, glue them to the upper inside of the board, then insert dowels into the holes and hook rubber bands wherever you like to finish.
Now shoot marbles and have fun playing!
Let’s cook rice in a plastic bag!
This is a science project using a plastic bag to explore how to cook rice from raw grains: what preparation is needed and what steps are involved.
It’s not only good for homework, but also helps out at home—two birds with one stone.
By trying these steps yourself, you may come to appreciate the effort behind the rice that normally appears on the table without a second thought, as well as the convenience of electric appliances.
Moreover, if not only children but also adults learn the method, it becomes knowledge that can be useful in disasters, so why not try it together as a family?
ore specimen
A mineral specimen refers to a display piece where colorful or patterned minerals are placed in a case for observation.
Since collecting real minerals to make specimens can be difficult, let’s recreate them using resin! You can buy silicone molds shaped like minerals, tint soft-type resin in any color you like, pour it into the mold, and let it cure.
Once it has cured, remove it from the mold and cut it with scissors to make it look like fragments of mineral.
Attach these to white stones, place them in a case, and you’re done.
They will look like beautiful raw mineral samples, so try making several in different color tones.
Let’s compose music!
A must-see for kids who love music! How about trying to compose your own song? This time, we’ll create music using diatonic chords in the key of C major.
By using simple chords like C and G, you can have fun learning how music works.
Expressing familiar sounds and feelings through music can really boost your creativity.
And if you present your finished piece in front of everyone, you’re sure to get a big round of applause.
It’s a fresh and exciting independent project that lets you discover the new joy of not just “listening” to music, but “making” it—be sure to give it a try!