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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For upper grades (61–70)
Bird call making
As a craft project perfect for children who love nature observation, I recommend making a bird call.
Prepare a hand-sized wooden branch and drill a small hole in the center.
Screw in a metal part called an eye nut, and when you twist it so the wood and metal rub against each other, it produces a sound like birdsong.
Real birds may sometimes respond to this sound, so trying it out in a park after making it is part of the fun.
The volume and pitch change depending on the type of wood and the depth of the hole, so by experimenting and recording the differences, you can enhance the quality of the project as an independent study.
It’s a hands-on idea that lets kids connect with nature while sparking curiosity about how sound works.
Let’s play with paper blocks!
Prepare some construction paper and try playing with paper blocks.
Using long, narrow strips of construction paper, make triangles, circles, and squares, then assemble them into artworks.
By folding or curling the narrow strips, you can express a variety of shapes.
Attaching the parts you’ve made with glue or clear tape and combining them will broaden the range of your creations even more.
As children think about shapes and combine them to make pieces, they can expand their imaginations.
You can also mount the combined works on construction paper for display.
For pieces with movement, hanging them with thread is also recommended.
How to make rainbow punch
Rainbow punch is perfect for a science project where you can learn about color and state changes.
Divide shaved ice syrup into several cups and mix in your favorite colors.
Dissolve gelatin in hot water and combine it with each colored syrup, then chill in the refrigerator to set into jelly.
Place the colorful jellies in a glass, and finally pour in soda water—your rainbow drink will sparkle with fizzy bubbles.
By observing the transformation of gelatin from liquid to solid and how it interacts with carbonated water, you can deepen your understanding of color and temperature-related state changes.
It’s an idea that’s visually fun and scientifically rich, letting you enjoy both observation and experimentation.
How to make jelly that sets instantly
Here’s how to make a beautiful jelly with sparkling, colorful beads.
Make the jelly base with sodium alginate, then gently pour a liquid colored with shaved ice syrup or food coloring into water containing dissolved calcium lactate.
Like magic, soft jelly sets instantly.
This happens because alginic acid and calcium undergo a chemical reaction that forms a jelly-like membrane.
Shine a light on it for an even more enchanting effect.
By experimenting with color combinations and shapes, you can create pieces that are visually delightful for kids.
It’s a perfect idea for an independent study project full of wonder, blending science with crafts.
A one-of-a-kind toy clock in the world
The idea is to make a clock using a clock movement and a board, then attach various toys to it.
You can get a clock movement at a 100-yen shop or a handmade goods store, and you can buy the board for the clock face at a home improvement store.
First, draw diagonal lines on the board to find the center point, and mark where to drill the hole for the movement.
Next, use a protractor to decide where to place the numbers on the clock.
After drilling the hole and painting if you like, it’s time to decorate the face.
Use a hot glue gun to attach the toys however you like.
Finally, secure the clock movement in the hole, and you’re done.
Arrange your favorite toys with style and create a wonderful clock!
disposable chopstick coaster
Introducing a chopstick coaster that lets you feel the warmth of wood.
Gather disposable chopsticks, glue, sanding sealer, varnish, and a brush, and let’s get started.
Glue chopsticks around the base board.
If you score the chopsticks with a utility knife before splitting them, they’ll break cleanly.
Lightly sand the tips to round them off.
Continue gluing the chopsticks from the outside toward the inside.
Adjust the size of the chopsticks as you go, fitting them while slightly changing the angle.
Brush on varnish and let it dry, and you’re done.
Give it a try!
small accessory case
Let me introduce a cute and handy little storage container.
Get a wooden box, a cutting board, a round dowel, a hot glue gun, and a saw, and let’s get started.
Use the hot glue gun to attach the cutting board to the left and right sides of the wooden box.
Cut the round dowel to the appropriate length, sand the ends smooth, thread it through the holes, and secure it with the hot glue gun.
The process is simple and easy to make, so definitely give it a try.
It’s also recommended to paint it to add a personal touch.