[For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Awesome! A Collection of Summer Vacation Craft Ideas
Summer vacation crafts—especially for older elementary students—can feel like a dilemma: “Simple projects aren’t satisfying,” but “overly difficult ones are a problem,” too, right? The truth is, by getting creative with materials and tools, you can make projects that look and function like the real deal.
Here, we’re sharing craft ideas—like coin banks, motor-based projects, and food replicas—that will make your friends say, “Wow!” They’re simple to build, yet fun to use even after they’re finished.
Use these as inspiration and add your own twists to create an original masterpiece!
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[For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Awesome! Summer Vacation Craft Ideas (71–80)
Making a scarf with paper cups and disposable chopsticks
Easy even without knitting needles! Let’s knit a scarf using a paper cup and chopsticks.
First, cut the chopsticks to a suitable length, then cut out the bottom of the paper cup.
Attach five chopsticks evenly around the outside of the cup so that they stick out 2–3 cm above the rim.
Tape the end of the yarn to the inside of the cup, and loop the yarn around the chopsticks alternately front and back to form a star shape.
Once the star is formed, start knitting by passing the yarn that’s already on the chopsticks from bottom to top.
When you reach your desired length, cut the yarn, thread the end under the five loops on the chopsticks, and remove it from the chopsticks to finish!
No-sew pouch made from a snack bag
Do you have a favorite snack? If your favorite snack comes in a bag, how about turning that empty bag into a pouch? Here’s an idea for making a sturdy zippered pouch without using a needle and thread—no sewing required.
First, cut along all four edges of your favorite snack bag, then attach it to a soft card case from the 100-yen shop using double-sided tape.
Make the back in the same way, attach a zipper to the top edges of the two pieces with fabric double-sided tape, and then seal the remaining three sides with double-sided tape to finish.
It’s so cute, you might end up wanting to make more than one!
rifle-style chopstick rubber band gun
This is a rifle-style rubber band gun made using a lot of disposable chopsticks! Once you decide on the size you want to make, connect the chopsticks by securing them together with rubber bands.
Wrap the muzzle area with paper to hold it together, then attach and secure the trigger and grip parts to complete your large chopstick rubber band gun.
Holding it with both hands and taking aim gives it a survival-game-like sense of realism.
The longer the barrel, the more the rubber band stretches and the farther it will fly, but don’t forget to design it with the maximum stretch length of the rubber band in mind!
disposable chopstick coaster
Introducing a chopstick coaster that lets you feel the warmth of wood.
Gather disposable chopsticks, glue, sanding sealer, varnish, and a brush, and let’s get started.
Glue chopsticks around the base board.
If you score the chopsticks with a utility knife before splitting them, they’ll break cleanly.
Lightly sand the tips to round them off.
Continue gluing the chopsticks from the outside toward the inside.
Adjust the size of the chopsticks as you go, fitting them while slightly changing the angle.
Brush on varnish and let it dry, and you’re done.
Give it a try!
kaleidoscope
Let’s make a kaleidoscope using marbles, a candy tube, and acrylic mirrors.
First, cut the mirrors into rectangular pieces and make six identical ones.
Score them with a utility knife and snap them cleanly to cut.
Pair them up in twos and join each pair horizontally, then line up the three resulting pieces vertically with a 2 mm gap and secure them with tape.
Peel off the protective film from the mirrors and glue them together to form a triangular prism.
Make a hole in the bottom of the tube that is small enough so the marble won’t fall through, and make a viewing hole in the lid.
Insert the marble first and then the mirrors into the tube, place the slightly shortened lid on top, and your marble kaleidoscope is complete!
An hourglass made of straws
@silk_haru3mama Summer vacation craft 🌻 It's fun—when you flip it over like an hourglass, the straws flow down! ⌛️#Summer VacationSummer Vacation Craft#AtHomePlay#HandmadeToysworkEducational toy#craft
♬ Another Day of Sun from La La Land [ORIGINAL COVER] – SoundWorks
Let’s make a toy where short straws fall like an hourglass.
First, cut a wire to 40 cm and wrap it around a pencil to make a spring.
Prepare two small paper cups and make a hole in the center of each bottom; thread one cup onto one end of the spring and secure it.
Stretch the spring and thread short, cut pieces of straw onto it.
Then thread and secure the other paper cup on the opposite end.
To prevent the spring from expanding and contracting, bridge two chopsticks between the two cups and glue them in place, and you’re done! Decorate the paper cups and chopsticks with masking tape or stickers to make it cute.
rubber band gun
Despite its simple appearance, a rubber band gun is the kind of toy just about any boy will want to try making at least once.
You can build one with materials found at home, like cardboard and rubber bands, so it’s a perfect quick craft even if you’re in a pinch—say, when summer vacation homework still isn’t done! With a bit of ingenuity, you can even make a cool, high-function model capable of three consecutive shots.
Add your own decorations and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind creation.
Plus, if you make targets from items like toilet paper rolls, you can actually play with it—so why not craft and have fun together with friends or family?
