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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- Recommended for lower elementary school students! A collection of plastic bottle craft ideas made with everyday materials.
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- [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.
Upper grades (71–80)
Key rack made from 100-yen shop materials
This is a key rack packed with ideas, made using photo frames.
Prepare three identical photo frames: two will form the body and one will be the lid.
Start by making the body.
First, cut a cork sheet to fit the inside dimensions of a photo frame, apply a decorative remake sheet, and attach it to the first frame.
Next, glue the second frame on top of the first.
That completes the body.
Then, use hinges to connect the third frame to the body as a lid.
Finish by attaching an arch latch.
By inserting aluminum pins into the cork sheet, you can hang your keys on them.
It’s a creative project that turns photo frames into a key rack.
Try painting it or adding your own touches to make it uniquely yours.
Ice that freezes in 3 minutes
This is a science project where you make cool, tasty ice cream in a short time.
Put heavy cream, chocolate sauce, and chocolate chips in a zip-top bag and seal it tightly, then place it inside another larger bag filled with ice and salt.
Adding salt lowers the temperature of the ice, quickly freezing the cream inside the bag.
Wrap it in a towel and shake well, and in about three minutes the ice cream is ready.
The crunchy chocolate bits are fun, and the flavor is very satisfying.
Scientifically, the key is that salt lowers the melting point of ice, causing an endothermic process that absorbs energy and freezes the contents.
It’s an idea packed with both deliciousness and learning, letting you experience the relationship between cold and chemistry.
cool pen holder
Let me introduce a very handy and stylish pen holder.
Prepare a wooden box, wooden boards, an interior mesh frame, paint, a brush, glue, and sandpaper, and let’s get started.
Cut the wooden boards, paint them, and glue them together.
Glue on the interior mesh frame as well.
Once it’s dry, it’s complete.
This pen holder makes the contents easy to see and offers great ventilation—give it a try! Adding illustrations or decorations to give it a personal touch will make it even more wonderful.
For upper grades (81–90)
Original handmade watch
When you go to a 100-yen shop or a handmade goods store, you can find just the clock movement for sale.
Let’s use that to make your own original clock! For the base of the clock, use a photo frame or a plastic plate.
Once you decide where to fix the movement, drill a hole.
Tighten the nut to secure the movement, and then decorate it to your liking.
Paint it, attach parts, or add glitter to make it sparkle—depending on your ideas, you’ll end up with a clock full of originality!
Candy Magnet
Let’s make a magnet that looks like a candy with twisted ends.
The materials and steps are very simple, so it’s highly recommended.
First, prepare strong magnets from a 100-yen shop, a plastic bottle cap, and a fabric scrap with a pattern you like.
Start by gluing the magnet to the back of the bottle cap.
Next, cut the fabric scrap to 14 cm by 10 cm, then fold back and glue three sides, leaving just one of the short sides unfolded.
Once the glue is dry, wrap the bottle cap with the fabric and secure it with glue.
Finally, to create the candy shape, gather and stitch the fabric at both ends with thread.
You’re done! Try making lots in different colors and patterns.
gel candle
At 100-yen shops, you can find a product called gel candles, and with them you can easily make homemade candles.
Gel candles are easy to handle, and you can even pour two different colors one on top of the other to create a two-layer candle.
The way the colors blend slightly between the layers also gives it a lovely look.
Plus, by placing items you like—such as colored sand, seashells, or dried flowers—into the glass before pouring in the gel candle, you can create a more stylish and original piece.
Give it a try and make one with your own sense of style.
Original T-shirts made with stencil printing
How about making your own T-shirt over summer vacation? We’ll use a technique called stenciling to create an original T-shirt.
You place a cutout of letters or illustrations on the fabric and paint over it with ink or other pigments.
Since you’ll wear the T-shirt, you’ll likely wash it too.
When stenciling on T-shirts or fabric, be sure to use fabric ink that won’t wash out.
While this can be a summer vacation homework project, it can also become a fun summer memory.
You might even make matching T-shirts for the whole family.
There are stencil T-shirt kits available online, so why not give them a try?
