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.
- 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.
Upper grades (211–220)
Running Robot
An exciting craft! Let me share an idea for a running robot.
Some of you might want to do a craft project but can’t think of a good idea, right? This time, let’s make a running robot that uses a windshield wiper mechanism.
You’ll need a rectangular plastic bottle, bamboo skewers, straws, thick paper, cardboard, plastic bottle caps, rubber bands, and so on.
It’s a great idea that lets you learn how a wiper mechanism works through crafting! Give it a try!
Let’s try making musical instruments from around the world
Let’s make a rainstick, a musical instrument from around the world that sounds like falling rain.
Prepare toothpicks, an empty plastic wrap tube, rubber bands, beads, fabric scraps, nail clippers, a hole punch or awl, and glue.
Start by making spiral-shaped holes along the tube.
It can be slippery, so be careful while punching the holes.
Insert toothpicks into the holes.
Use the nail clippers to trim any parts of the toothpicks that stick out, then apply glue over them to secure.
Cover one end of the tube with fabric and fasten it with a rubber band.
Pour beads in from the other end, then cover that end with fabric and fasten it with a rubber band in the same way.
Decorate the tube, and you’re done.
It’s a rainstick that produces the sound of rain or waves—give it a try!
Transformable miniature house
Let me introduce a cute, transformable miniature house.
Using cardboard, choose the coverings for the ceiling, floor, and walls as you build each room.
The key is to keep in mind the kind of room you want to create while you work.
Try stacking rooms or changing the combinations to make a miniature house that’s uniquely yours.
By making the wall coverings with colored paper or using patterned paper for the miniature house, you can add originality and have even more fun.
Let’s make dinosaur fossils
Let’s make some exciting dinosaur fossils! First, think about what kind of fossil you want to create, then draw your fossil illustration on a sheet of foam board (styrene paper).
Cut out the fossil shapes with scissors.
Glue the cut foam pieces onto cardboard to form your design.
Paint it with acrylic paints.
When it’s finished, attach a decorative ribbon to the back so you can display it.
It’s also a good idea to round off the corners of the cardboard.
Have fun creating your very own original fossil!
Aquarium snow globe
Let me introduce a refreshing aquarium-style snow globe.
Prepare liquid laundry starch (or glue), a sponge, a jar, miniature figures, ribbon, adhesive, glitter, and a chopstick.
Cut the sponge to the shape of the jar lid to make a base, then glue it in place.
Attach the figures onto the base using adhesive.
Put glitter into the jar, then add water and liquid laundry starch in a 1:1 ratio and mix well.
Close the jar with the lid that has the figures attached, making sure no air gets in, and you’re done.
Decorate it and create your own original snow globe!
A log house made of paper straws
Let’s make your very own special treasure chest! Here’s an idea for a paper-straw log house.
Do you have treasured items like precious memories or pretty stones? This time, let’s use paper straws to create a treasure box that looks like a log house.
What you’ll need: paper straws, glue, a pen, scissors, and a ruler.
You can use white or colorful straws, but using kraft straws will give it a warm, log-house feel.
My own handmade instrument
Let me show you how to make a trombone with a pleasing tone.
Prepare one thin PVC pipe, one thick PVC pipe, a funnel, vinyl tape, and aluminum tape, and let’s build it.
Slide the thin PVC pipe inside the thick PVC pipe to assemble it.
Insert a cut-off mouthpiece into the thin end and secure it with vinyl tape.
On the opposite end of the thin PVC pipe, wrap aluminum tape to slightly thicken the tip.
The key is to have a small gap when the PVC pipes are nested.
Attach the funnel to the end of the thick PVC pipe, and you’re done.
Blow into it and—surprise! You’ll hear the sound of a trombone.