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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- 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 (31–40)
Let’s try making fog in an instant!

You’ll need a plastic bottle, incense sticks, and a fizz keeper.
The fizz keeper isn’t expensive and can be bought for around 100 yen.
This experiment creates fog by condensing water vapor—an amazing, magic-like demonstration! Since it involves fire, be very careful to avoid burns and make sure the area is well ventilated.
Unusual musical instruments from around the world

How about researching a bunch of super-cool, little-known instruments that none of your classmates have ever seen, and making a newspaper-style poster on drawing paper that summarizes what sounds they make, where they originated, and how they evolved into other instruments? It’s highly recommended to organize it by world region, historical period, and type so you can make the content richer!
Exploration of the upper reaches of the river

Every river—even the ones we see casually every day—always has an upstream, a beginning.
Unlike the downstream, the headwaters are filled with clear air and lush greenery, and I believe they always resonate with a child’s heart.
They will surely soothe parents’ fatigue as well.
Step away from the everyday hustle and bustle and experience the mystery of life.
If you look up a river’s name, you’ll always find its history.
Try exploring what kind of history it has! I definitely recommend going with a parent or guardian.
wind power

Electricity is something we use every day without much thought.
There are many ways to generate it, and this experiment lets you experience one of them: generating power using wind.
What you’ll need are an LED, lead wires, a generator motor, and a propeller to attach to it.
It’s a simple experiment, but it might be a good opportunity to think about how the electricity you use is actually produced.
Empty can art
I’m sure your school is also working on eco-friendly activities that raise awareness of the global environment and nature.
With “eco” in mind, why not try a free project using plastic bottles and empty cans? Since it involves cutting cans, it’s a bit better suited for upper grades.
If possible, make it together with an adult.
A relief made from empty cans involves opening the can, flattening it into a single aluminum sheet, transferring your favorite drawing onto it, and creating the relief.
Since the only material is empty cans, you can do it without spending much money.
If you want to use more aluminum sheets, how about making an “empty can patchwork” by combining various types of cans?
For upper grades (41–50)
Knitted tissue cover

Tissue paper has also become an indispensable part of modern life, hasn’t it? In the kitchen and the living room, it’s handy to have one tissue box per room.
So how about making a lovely crocheted tissue box cover? Many elementary and middle school students might say, “I’ve never knitted or crocheted before…,” but since it’s summer vacation, trying something new could be fun.
There are plenty of lesson videos on video sites that teach crochet from the basics.
If you’re nervous about starting alone, it’s a great idea to begin with a friend.
It’s a recommended independent study project for everyone, regardless of gender!
Let’s make craft cola

Craft cola, which refers to homemade cola, can be easily made using spices.
A key point is that it can be prepared with fewer additives than regular cola.
Since part of the aim is to see whether it really tastes like cola, it feels a bit like an experiment as well as a cooking project.
The process is simple: simmer water and sugar with lemon and spices to make a syrup.
Finally, dilute the syrup with carbonated water to finish the drink.
It’s also a versatile recipe with plenty of room for customization by changing the spices.



