[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 Amazing! Summer Vacation Craft Ideas (91–100)
How to make a pencil case
You can stand your favorite pens upright! Here’s how to make a cute pen case using a plastic wrap core.
First, cut the wrap core to a length that fits your pens.
It’s tough, so kids should have an adult help.
Next, place the core on thick paper, trace around it with a pencil, cut it out, and glue on a lid and a base for the case.
Once the glue dries, decorate it with your favorite wrapping paper or stickers.
Finally, roll up some thick paper, push it into the case, and trim any excess—and you’re done!
Handheld fan made from scrap materials
Combine materials around you to make a handheld fan that creates a fun breeze.
Drill a small hole in a popsicle stick and pass a skewer through the center to form the base for the blades.
Prepare a straw to serve as the shaft, then attach a round-cut piece of cardstock and brightly colored origami paper to complete the blade section.
Make a hole in the center of the shaft as well, assemble everything so it spins, thread it through the straw, and insert it into the handle.
Wrap thread around it, pull, and pass it through a bead—the moment you pull, the blades will spin.
With a bit of ingenuity, you can change the look and the strength of the wind and enjoy the freedom of creativity.
It’s an idea that lets you repurpose scrap materials to create a one-of-a-kind project.
Jewel Crayon
Let’s make gem-like crayons using crayons and chocolate molds you can get at a 100-yen shop! The method is simple: place small, broken pieces of colorful crayons into a heat-resistant mold and microwave at 500 watts for about 8 minutes.
Adjust the time while checking how well they’re melting.
Once the melted, blended crayons have cooled and solidified, pop them out of the mold and they’re done.
Add glitter for an even more jewel-like sparkle! The patterns will vary depending on the types of crayons and color combinations.
Have fun experimenting and enjoy the results!
desk lamp
@gakky_07 How about this for your summer vacation project?Summer Vacation Craft#Summer VacationDesk lamp
♬ Fun Isono Family / Sazae-san [Cover] – Sound Works
Here’s an idea for making a desk lamp that uses a magnet-mountable LED light.
The stand is entirely wooden, and the arm is movable so you can adjust the angle.
First, think about what size you want and what kind of structure you’re aiming for, and try drawing a design plan.
Once the plan is ready, figure out the lengths and quantities of wood you’ll need and source the materials.
These days, you can even find small pieces of wood at 100-yen shops, so those might work as well.
One of the joys of woodworking is choosing the finish—whether to go for a natural look with varnish or oil, or paint it your favorite color—so definitely consider a variety of options.
Original handmade watch
When you go to a 100-yen shop or a handmade goods store, you can find just the clock movement for sale.
Let’s use that to make your own original clock! For the base of the clock, use a photo frame or a plastic plate.
Once you decide where to fix the movement, drill a hole.
Tighten the nut to secure the movement, and then decorate it to your liking.
Paint it, attach parts, or add glitter to make it sparkle—depending on your ideas, you’ll end up with a clock full of originality!
Stone painting
During summer vacation, there are times when you go out with your family to rivers or mountains, right? When you do, why not try picking up stones and making art with them? Of course, stones you’ve collected from around your neighborhood are fine, too.
First, paint the stones you’ve prepared with white acrylic paint.
This small extra step will help your work turn out beautifully.
Then, use acrylic paints to create animals, plants, and more by adding color.
If you also use items like pipe cleaners or empty cans, you can make pieces that look very realistic.
Please use this as a reference and give it a try!
Bird call making
As a craft project perfect for children who love nature observation, I recommend making a bird call.
Prepare a hand-sized wooden branch and drill a small hole in the center.
Screw in a metal part called an eye nut, and when you twist it so the wood and metal rub against each other, it produces a sound like birdsong.
Real birds may sometimes respond to this sound, so trying it out in a park after making it is part of the fun.
The volume and pitch change depending on the type of wood and the depth of the hole, so by experimenting and recording the differences, you can enhance the quality of the project as an independent study.
It’s a hands-on idea that lets kids connect with nature while sparking curiosity about how sound works.