Recommended for elementary school students! Science fair topics & craft ideas

Pictogram-style collage

[Elementary School Craft] Inspiration from Pictograms 🌟 Collage

Let’s combine pictograms to create a storytelling collage.

First, use colored construction paper or similar materials to make a shallow box.

Once it’s made, fold it at a 90-degree angle to create a stage-like setup.

Next, copy the pictograms you want to use and cut them out with scissors.

Depending on your story, you can use only certain parts of a pictogram.

It can also be fun to create or draw additional non-pictogram elements.

By all means, use a variety of ideas to make your own entertaining pictogram theater.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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10 Musical Instruments Made from Plastic Bottles

Summer Vacation Independent Research: 10 Musical Instruments You Can Make with Plastic Bottles [Crafts]

Musical instruments can produce all kinds of sounds and are fascinating, but many people may feel hesitant to buy a lot when they’re not sure how much they’ll actually use them.

Here, we’ll introduce many instruments you can make using plastic bottles.

For example, castanets made by attaching plastic bottle caps to cardboard, a whistle made by punching a hole in a cap and inserting a straw, and even instruments with different pitches just by letting the air out of a plastic bottle.

There are also plastic bottle drums and a “petphone,” made by connecting plastic bottles cut to various lengths.

Use these as references and give it a try!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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big cracker

[Elementary School Craft] Giant Party Popper 🎉 Playable Megaphone

Here’s how to make a fun megaphone cracker.

First, cut off both edges of a clear file folder to separate it into two sheets.

Fold one of the sheets in half lengthwise and cut along the fold.

Next, roll one of the cut pieces into a tube, then tape this tube to the center of the larger remaining sheet.

Roll the sheet into a megaphone shape and secure it.

Then roll the other remaining piece into a long, thin tube, thread it through the center of the megaphone, and tape one end so it connects with a rubber band-like loop.

Prepare three pieces of plastic string cut to an appropriate length, attach aluminum foil to their tips, and crumple the foil into little balls.

Finally, tape the strings with the foil tips to the end of the inner tube that runs through the center.

And you’re done! A flashy, eye-catching megaphone cracker—give it a try!

Let’s make a professional kalimba

Let's make an authentic kalimba!

It would be fun to make a genuine musical instrument using items you can get at home improvement stores or online, wouldn’t it? This time, we’ll introduce a handmade, authentic kalimba.

A kalimba is a traditional African instrument played by plucking thin metal tines attached to a box or board.

Using a box or board allows the sound to resonate.

Let’s try making one by building a wooden box and attaching thin rods.

Specialized kalimba metal tines, called kalimba keys, are also available from online retailers.

Master the playing technique, and let your kalimba produce beautiful tones.

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Nakajima Junko

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Infinity Cube made from a milk carton

[Summer Vacation Crafts / Independent Research] Infinite Cube with a Milk Carton #SummerVacationCrafts #IndependentResearch #EasyCrafts #DIY #Craft #KidsActivitiesAtHome #ElementarySchool

The endlessly flippable infinity cube is so much fun, isn’t it? Let’s make one using milk cartons.

First, wash and dry the cartons, then prepare two cartons with the top and bottom cut off.

Cut each one into eight vertical strips to make 16 long, narrow pieces.

Next, use two pieces to make one cube.

There’s a trick to how the cubes are connected, so be careful not to connect them the wrong way.

Once you’ve connected them correctly, stick origami paper on top, and you’re done.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Let’s make it in 3D! The human body

[Elementary School Craft] Let's Make It in 3D! The Human Body!

Why not try making a three-dimensional human figure? Some people may not have given much thought to the body’s balance and structure.

For this 3D human figure, first make sketches: draw the human body from various angles in a sketchbook.

Based on those drawings, create an armature with wire.

Once it’s done, fix the armature to a base and build up the form with paper clay.

Next, paint it with acrylics.

It’s best to hold the base and paint from various angles.

Be sure to separate and paint the finer details carefully.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Let’s make it out of paper

[Elementary School Craft] Let's Make It with Paper

If you want to enjoy art casually, we recommend this crumple-paper art.

As you crumple and tear paper, you imagine what to make and build your piece.

By enjoying the feel of the paper and using your hands a lot, you naturally nurture fine motor skills, concentration, and imagination.

Moments like “It turned into this shape!” and “Let’s try this next!” spark discoveries that reveal the fun of creating.

You can freely express your individuality and easily create one-of-a-kind, captivating works—so give it a try!