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
- DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love: ideas you can make with everyday materials
- [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 lower grades (41–50)
Paper clay made from newspaper
“Paper clay” is something many of us try at least once when we’re little.
You probably picture that lightweight modeling clay, but this is an experiment to actually make it from “paper”! Amazingly, you can make it just by dissolving newspaper in water and mixing it with glue.
Just be careful—the newspaper ink can stain your hands and any containers you use.
dollhouse
If she loves dolls, why not try making a dollhouse? In this idea, colored boards and photo frames are used to create walls and windows.
Using pins for furniture legs and buttons for handles, you can build a surprisingly charming dollhouse with just items from a 100-yen shop or things you already have at home.
These days, many miniature furnishings are sold at 100-yen shops, so you can also modify and use those.
Go ahead and create your ideal room.
kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscopes quietly lined up in a corner of the candy shop.
Even though you pick them up and play with them, you rarely buy one—but guess what? You can make your own at home! All you need are things like a plastic bottle, beads, and silver origami paper—items you’d almost certainly find in an early elementary schooler’s drawer.
In just a few simple steps, you can create a soothing kaleidoscope for everyone to enjoy.
Since using a utility knife can be dangerous, ask a nearby adult to handle that part! If you make it as a family, it’ll be a great change of pace for parents tired from remote work or housework, too!
Make a 5-yen coin shiny
This is an experiment to find out what cleans a 5-yen coin the best.
Detergent, pickled plum, toothpaste…
We’ll try applying and scrubbing—using every method—to make the 5-yen coin shine! You’re sure to be surprised by the unexpected results! It also sounds fun to invent materials or methods beyond those shown in the reference video.
locked treasure chest
Treasure chests are kind of exciting, aren’t they? And this one even comes with a lock! It’s perfect for curious first graders because they can make it while learning how a lock works.
The process is to use cardboard to create the box, lid, and key parts, then assemble them.
As long as you cut and prepare the parts correctly, you can just glue them together and the build will go smoothly.
Since you’ll be using a hot glue gun to bond the cardboard, be careful to avoid burns while working.
There’s a URL in the video description where you can download the templates, so be sure to check it and give it a try!
Aroma Fragrance
If you’re looking for an easy, summery craft, I recommend making an aroma fragrance jar! Prepare a jar, gel ice packs, blue food coloring, essential oils, and decorations like marbles or seashells.
First, fill the jar about one-third full with the gel from the ice packs and add the food coloring to tint it.
Once the color is set, add more gel and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Finally, add the decorations and put the lid on—you’re done! Using blue food coloring with marbles or seashells makes it look like you’ve captured the sea inside the jar.
Try creating one with your favorite theme!
Let’s take out the salt.
If you’re planning to go to the beach with your family during summer vacation, why not take the opportunity to try a science project like this? You can bring seawater home and use a stove to evaporate it to extract salt.
Since it involves using fire, be careful not to get burned.