RAG MusicScience
Wonderful independent research

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 upper grades (131–140)

Roll-and-drop game made with straws

@n.annlee321

Roll, roll... ☺️#tiktok classroomLife with children#Summer VacationSummer Vacation Craft

♬ Athletic Meet “Heaven and Hell” (No Introduction) – Shinonome

Here’s a fun-to-make, fun-to-play marble run you can build with straws.

Gather tapioca (boba) straws, beads, masking tape, and scissors, and let’s get started.

Cut the tip of a tapioca straw at an angle, then tape it to a wall with masking tape, adjusting the angle as you go.

Add guards at the ends of the straws so the rolling beads don’t fall out.

The key is to tweak the angles so the beads roll smoothly.

Once it’s finished, try rolling some beads and play! It could also be fun to turn this into a little science project—prepare beads of different sizes and time how many seconds each one takes to roll through.

Deodorizing pot made with an ice pack

@poccle

Easy with an ice pack! I made a cute bottled deodorizing pot—perfect for a science project or a fun craft at home ♥ #craftsProduction#StayHomeTime#AtHomePlayIndependent ResearchSummer vacation homework #NurseryTeacher#NurseryTeacherMomParentingCoolant packDeodorization

♬ Relaxing, cute everyday BGM – Avi

Do you have leftover cold packs from buying cakes and other treats sitting in your freezer? Here’s a deodorizing gel pot you can make with those cold packs—perfect as a summer science or craft project for upper elementary students.

Get your materials ready: cold packs, beads, a plastic container, an empty jar, colored markers, a bowl, water, and a stirring stick.

Squeeze the contents of the cold pack into the bowl, add water, and stir until it becomes a gel.

Color the bottom of the plastic container, then add the gelled cold pack and mix to tint it.

Spoon the mixture into the empty jar, add beads or other decorations, and you’re done.

It’s a simple deodorizing pot you can make with everyday items—try creating your own original version!

Well-spinning paper cup top

[Playable Craft] How to Make a Simple, Well-Spinning Top (Paper Cup & Plastic Bottle Cap) [Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials] Fun at Home
Well-spinning paper cup top

This is a spinning top made with a paper cup that spins well and is fun to watch because of its colorful look.

All you need are a paper cup and two plastic bottle caps.

First, cut slits into the paper cup and spread them out like propeller blades, then attach an axle made by combining the two caps.

That’s enough to complete the basic shape, but it’s recommended to decorate the “propellers” with an eye toward how it will look while spinning.

The impression changes depending on whether you spread the propellers before decorating or decorate first and then cut the slits, so try out various patterns.

A flying octopus? Tako-copter

A flying octopus? A toy like a bamboo-copter made from a paper cup: the 'TacoCopter' #easyCraft #paperCup #flyingCraft
A flying octopus? Tako-copter

It’s a toy that combines paper cups and a round chopstick to spin like a bamboo-copter and soar into the sky.

By spreading “wings” that catch the wind and coloring it mainly red, it takes on a curious form—a flying octopus.

You’ll use two paper cups and a round chopstick: attach the chopstick and the octopus’s facial parts to a paper cup with only the bottom left to create a launcher.

Then cut slits into the other paper cup, spread it out to form propeller-like blades, and attach it to the launcher to finish.

Fine-tune the propeller angles to make your octopus fly even higher.

Trekking

Beginner-friendly but beyond expectations! My first trekking trip
Trekking

When we talk about trekking or mountain climbing, people tend to think it means climbing high mountains, but the height isn’t the issue—it’s the act of climbing and walking in the mountains.

Low-elevation hikes can be great fun for families, too.

However, I strongly recommend going only after making proper preparations and ensuring adequate hydration.

There are many different kinds of mountains! After you climb, why not look into what type of mountain it was and learn about its history? Mountains are wonderful!

Let’s try making fog in an instant!

[Independent Research] Let’s make fog instantly!
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

Didgeridoo for Absolute Beginners [Ethnic Instrument]
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!