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
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- [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 (161–170)
Recreating Disney park food!
Perfect for a summer vacation science project! Let’s make a “Little Green Men Squishy.” You know them as popular Disney characters.
These cute and unique Little Green Men can be turned into a squishy with a soft, bouncy feel.
It’s a hands-on craft where you can create a mysterious toy that looks just like the real thing and feels great to squeeze.
All you need are liquid foundation sponges from the 100-yen shop, fast-drying clear glue, and acrylic paint.
Finish a Disney park-style treat that looks real, and enjoy your summer vacation!
Chiikawa mini storage
Get soothed by cute characters! Here are some ideas for Chiikawa mini storage.
“Chiikawa” is short for “something small and cute,” and many fans find comfort in the everyday lives of the characters featured in the anime and manga.
This time, let’s make mini storage items with a Chiikawa motif.
You’ll need cardboard, character pocket tissues, double-sided tape, a craft knife, shatterproof glass film, and some tape.
They’re practical and will make organizing feel exciting!
For upper grades (171–180)
Shaka-shaka accessory pouch
Just looking at it is soothing! Here are some ideas for a “shaka-shaka” trinket case.
Some kids might want to make their own favorite cute container.
This time, let’s make a shaka-shaka trinket case using materials you can find at a 100-yen shop.
You’ll need a clear round gift box, beads and charms, tape, and washi tape.
Put the beads and charms into the lid of the gift box, then secure it to the bottom part of the container with tape—and you’re done! Adding decorative washi tape to the container itself will make it even more festive.
Minecraft accessories
Let’s make some game character merchandise! Here are ideas for Minecraft-themed accessories.
Minecraft is a globally popular game, and it even had a movie released.
How about making accessories inspired by Minecraft characters this time? You’ll need a grass-like sheet material, wooden cubes, scissors, black felt, strong double-sided tape or glue, an awl, and accessory findings.
You can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop, so feel free to give it a try!
Made entirely with origami! Triangular accessory case
Make it using only origami! Here’s an idea for a triangular trinket box.
It’s perfect for kids who are good at crafting with origami or for anyone who wants to use the origami paper they have at home to make something.
How about creating a little container to hold small items or parts? All you need to prepare are three sheets of origami paper.
Solid-colored paper works fine, but using your favorite patterns or holographic origami can change the vibe and make it more fun!
Long Boots Piggy Bank
Let’s make use of those memory-filled items! Here’s an idea for a rain boot piggy bank.
Many of us feel that children grow up so fast.
Clothes and shoes need to be replaced each time… throwing them away as they are is such a waste! This time, let’s repurpose outgrown rain boots and turn them into a piggy bank.
What you’ll need: outgrown rain boots, interlocking foam mats, scissors or a utility knife, adhesive, and so on.
It’s nice to be able to keep using your favorite rain boots as a piggy bank, isn’t it?
Casein plastic
You can actually make plastic from a drink that’s close to all of us: milk.
If you add vinegar to boiled milk and mix, you’ll get a white, clumpy substance.
This is casein, a protein that serves as the base for plastic.
Remove the moisture from the casein, press it into a mold, and heat it in a microwave for one-minute intervals several times until it hardens.
In recent years, the issue of plastic waste has gained attention, and many of us are thinking about how we can reduce it.
This experiment could be a wonderful independent research project that points toward a future rich in nature.
