[For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Awesome! A Collection of Summer Vacation Craft Ideas

A one-of-a-kind toy clock in the world

Summer vacation craft project: Want to make a one-of-a-kind toy clock?

The idea is to make a clock using a clock movement and a board, then attach various toys to it.

You can get a clock movement at a 100-yen shop or a handmade goods store, and you can buy the board for the clock face at a home improvement store.

First, draw diagonal lines on the board to find the center point, and mark where to drill the hole for the movement.

Next, use a protractor to decide where to place the numbers on the clock.

After drilling the hole and painting if you like, it’s time to decorate the face.

Use a hot glue gun to attach the toys however you like.

Finally, secure the clock movement in the hole, and you’re done.

Arrange your favorite toys with style and create a wonderful clock!

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Hane Keisuke

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small accessory case

[100-Yen DIY] Fast and still in time! A small accessory box in 3 minutes—easy craft. Perfect for summer vacation projects or a room makeover. Enjoy your time at home!

Let me introduce a cute and handy little storage container.

Get a wooden box, a cutting board, a round dowel, a hot glue gun, and a saw, and let’s get started.

Use the hot glue gun to attach the cutting board to the left and right sides of the wooden box.

Cut the round dowel to the appropriate length, sand the ends smooth, thread it through the holes, and secure it with the hot glue gun.

The process is simple and easy to make, so definitely give it a try.

It’s also recommended to paint it to add a personal touch.

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mayumi

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Dinosaur Snow Globe

I’m going to introduce a second grader’s summer vacation craft! A dinosaur snow globe. Koki TV

Many children love dinosaurs, don’t they? Some probably have lots of dinosaur merchandise, too.

So let’s make a summer vacation project using dinosaurs: a snow globe in a glass container filled with liquid laundry starch (or school glue) and purified water.

Use a hot glue gun to attach a dinosaur figurine to the inside of the glass lid.

Be careful when using the glue gun, as it gets very hot.

Pour the laundry starch (or glue) and purified water into the container, then tint it with paint in your favorite color.

If you add glitter, you’ll get a sparkly, authentic-looking snow globe.

Close the lid and turn it upside down, and you’ll have a beautiful snow globe with a dinosaur inside.

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Nakajima Junko

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Creeper made from a milk carton

[Elementary School Summer Crafts & Independent Research] Make a Creeper from a Milk Carton—with a Head-Popping Mechanism!

Minecraft is a hugely popular game among kids.

Creepers are characters that appear in Minecraft and explode when they get close to the player.

Let’s make a craft that captures that feature using an empty milk carton.

Besides a milk carton, prepare green plastic bottle caps, bamboo skewers, and oil-based clay as well.

Cut the milk carton and wrap it with green vinyl tape to make the Creeper’s body.

Then cut the body section further and attach parts.

Use another milk carton for the head along with vinyl string or rubber bands to create a mechanism that “explodes.” Because kids use fine motor skills to build it, it helps improve their concentration.

Once it’s finished and displayed at school, you can almost hear friends saying, “Wow, that’s awesome!”

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Nakajima Junko

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stone art

Rock art with kids: perfect for summer vacation independent research, free craft projects, and making memories

Let’s make stone art using materials close at hand, like those from rivers and parks.

Start by collecting stones and twigs.

Choosing stones without sharp edges will help you create cute pieces.

Also, selecting twigs with branches is a key tip for making a lovely work.

Arrange the stones and twigs you found on a frame or cork board, which you can also buy at a 100-yen shop.

As children think, design, and create on their own, it boosts their imagination.

You can paint the pieces, and it’s also nice to add pinecones, leaves, and other items besides stones and twigs.

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Nakajima Junko

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Let’s make a bamboo lantern

[Anywhere Art] [Summer Vacation Craft] Let's make a bamboo lantern

Here’s how to make a bamboo lantern that looks beautiful when it glows at night.

Use a saw to cut the bamboo.

Make slits in the cut bamboo, then gently tap from above with a hammer to create openings where the light will shine through.

The key is to tap with the hammer without using too much force.

Drill holes to create several small windows for the light to leak out.

Wrap yarn around the top and bottom of the bamboo tube, using double-sided tape to secure it.

Place an LED light inside, switch it on, and let it shine.

It emits a soft glow that gives off a traditional Japanese ambiance.

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mayumi

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Ghibli food and toys

Studio Ghibli’s works are captivating not only for their profound storytelling but also for their meticulous visual expression—especially the way food is depicted so enticingly.

This piece is about recreating the look of the foods that appear in Ghibli films and making beautiful mascots using simple materials.

You’ll experiment with details, like kneading adhesive into shape and using paint to create gradients for a realistic finish.

Since achieving a food-like appearance hinges on material choices, it’s crucial to be particular from the very stage of selecting your materials.

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kappamaki

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