For upper-grade boys! Simple yet awesome craft project [Don’t call it lazy]
I want to make something for my summer break craft project that makes people say “Wow!” but I’d like to avoid anything too difficult.
Great news for upper-elementary school boys! In this article, we introduce intriguing craft projects with clever mechanisms you can build using everyday materials.
Even creations that look complex—like a fountain where water seems to flow upward or a spinning top that floats in midair—are actually surprisingly easy to make.
Once you finish, you can submit your project with an explanation of how it works and use it as a science project, too.
Go ahead and try these fun crafts that apply principles of physics!
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Practical craft ideas made with everyday materials (1–10)
kaleidocycle
A kaleidocycle whose patterns spin and change, pleasing to the eye.
Let’s handcraft a kaleidocycle using empty milk cartons! Open up two milk cartons, draw lines and make mountain folds, then form sleeves and fold the edges inward to create the segments.
Do the same on the other side, and simply secure with tape.
You can attach your favorite designs or draw illustrations on it, too! It’s a simple build that will astonish anyone who sees it, so take advantage of the summer break and give it a try.
beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)
Let’s try making beetles and stag beetles—the classic insects of summer—using a hot glue gun.
If you use the finished pieces as decorations, they’ll really emphasize a summery atmosphere.
Create each part on a sheet of parchment (baking) paper, and then glue the parts together at the end to complete the model.
Giving each piece a good rounded shape is an important point for achieving a three-dimensional look when it’s finished.
You can aim for a realistic appearance, or play with colors and shapes to create your own original creatures—it could be a lot of fun.
Practical craft ideas made with everyday materials (11–20)
I tried making a sword.
Japanese swords are highly regarded overseas for their beauty.
They are especially appealing to people interested in Japanese culture, history, and the samurai spirit.
How about making a sword filled with Japanese tradition as an independent study project? By finding a workshop like the one in the video that produces various replica swords and creating one together under the guidance of a craftsman, you can have a truly authentic experience.
The finished piece has great presence, making it perfect for display! If you’re interested, definitely give it a try!
Original watch
Why not try making a one-of-a-kind original clock using a DIY clock kit? First, draw diagonal lines on a canvas board and drill a hole where the lines intersect to attach the movement.
Sketch a few ideas, then paint your design with acrylic gouache based on those sketches.
To make the numbers stand out, you can create them with paper clay.
If you prepare a template that divides a circle into 12 equal parts, it will be easier to decide the placement of the numbers.
Once you finish painting, attach the movement through the hole you prepared in advance.
Korokoro Slider
Make it easily with cardboard! Here’s how to build a rolling slider.
It’s super simple! Prepare a piece of cardboard cut into a rectangle, then use smaller pieces of cardboard to make features like hills and tunnels, and tape them on with packing tape.
We recommend deciding the course and rules however you like and writing them with a permanent marker.
For the ball, crumpled aluminum foil or a marble makes it extra fun.
You can expand the play by turning it into a soccer game, or by using a large sheet of drawing paper as the base—there are lots of ways to enjoy it, whether you’re playing alone or with friends.
Let your imagination flow and create a one-of-a-kind toy of your own!
Cardboard 3D craft
Three-dimensional creations using single-faced corrugated cardboard make the most of the material’s qualities depending on the direction and shape of your cuts.
If you cut along the direction of the flutes, the cardboard bends easily; by changing the cutting direction, you can form pillar-like shapes.
Cut long strips and coil them or make rods to combine into towers, arches, or animal bodies—shape them freely.
Connecting multiple parts in three dimensions results in sturdy works.
Painting the surface or adding patterns enhances the finish.
Sculptures born from everyday materials convey the depth of making and the freedom of imagination.
Pictogram-style 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.