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)
drink bar

Wouldn’t you want to show off to your friends if you had one of those drink bars you often see at family restaurants right at home? Let’s make a simple yet stylish and cool drink bar! It’s also highly recommended as a summer vacation craft project, so give it a try with your child and have fun together.
By drilling a hole in a plastic bottle cap with a screwdriver and attaching a valve, you can twist the valve to dispense the drink just like a real drink bar.
The main body is made of cardboard, so kids can easily assemble it too! It would be great to customize the design to your liking, wouldn’t it?
piggy bank

Among summer vacation assignments, crafts tend to get put off, but for upper-grade boys in particular, we recommend a simple piggy bank that can be made with just a few materials! Not only is it easy to make, but it can also look cool and be functional, so there’s no doubt you’ll want to show it off to your friends.
By adding a few clever touches—like a coin-sorting feature—you can finish it as a project that surprises everyone without looking like you cut corners! Be sure to use this idea as inspiration and make your summer homework a big success!
lottery drum

If you’re struggling with your summer vacation homework, why not try making a “garapon” lottery drum, the kind you see at prize draws? The build process is simple, yet the look and the play factor can really surprise people! If you use cardboard and similar materials, there’s no need for large tools or hardware.
A garapon that’s both eye-catching and practical will likely turn out so well you’ll want to show it off to your family, friends, and teacher! The making process is fun, and once it’s finished you can play pretend prize draws with it.
It’s also something parents and children can enjoy together, so give it a try this summer vacation.
gachapon

Gachapon machines you see at supermarkets and family restaurants.
Many children probably gaze at the rows of machines with sparkling eyes.
So, let’s try making a gachapon out of cardboard.
Cut the cardboard to the sizes needed for the machine and assemble it using a hot glue gun.
You can get a hot glue gun at a 100-yen shop, and it has stronger adhesive power than regular glue, so it’s recommended.
Not only is the building process fun, but it’s a project you can enjoy even after it’s finished.
These days, the contents of gachapon can be quite unusual, ranging from region-exclusive collaboration items to cooking recipes.
Be sure to get creative with what you put inside the capsules, too.
Ferris wheel made of disposable chopsticks

How about making a miniature Ferris wheel using disposable chopsticks and cardboard? All you need are a hot glue gun and scissors.
The process is simple: just keep gluing the chopsticks into the shape of a Ferris wheel—there aren’t any difficult steps—so if you stick with it, you can easily create a great-looking miniature Ferris wheel! Plus, with a bit of ingenuity for the central axle, you can actually make it spin.
It’s a perfect project for those who want to quietly focus on crafting without going through complicated steps.



