[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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[Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Awesome! Summer Vacation Craft Ideas (161–170)
Made entirely with origami! Triangular accessory case
Make it using only origami! Here’s an idea for a triangular trinket box.
It’s perfect for kids who are good at crafting with origami or for anyone who wants to use the origami paper they have at home to make something.
How about creating a little container to hold small items or parts? All you need to prepare are three sheets of origami paper.
Solid-colored paper works fine, but using your favorite patterns or holographic origami can change the vibe and make it more fun!
Long Boots Piggy Bank
Let’s make use of those memory-filled items! Here’s an idea for a rain boot piggy bank.
Many of us feel that children grow up so fast.
Clothes and shoes need to be replaced each time… throwing them away as they are is such a waste! This time, let’s repurpose outgrown rain boots and turn them into a piggy bank.
What you’ll need: outgrown rain boots, interlocking foam mats, scissors or a utility knife, adhesive, and so on.
It’s nice to be able to keep using your favorite rain boots as a piggy bank, isn’t it?
[For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Amazing! Summer Vacation Craft Ideas (171–180)
Plastic bottle wind chime
Here’s an idea for an easy wind chime you can make with a plastic bottle.
Cut the bottle in half across the middle and make a hole in the center of the bottom piece.
Thread a string through the hole, attaching a strip of paper (tanzaku) and a bell to it.
Decorate the bottle, and you’re done.
Pens, nail polish, and decorative parts work well for embellishment.
To keep the string from slipping out, tie a short piece of a toothpick along the string as a stopper.
By taking advantage of the bottle’s translucence, you’ll get a cool, refreshing look.
If you’re looking for a summery craft idea, give this a try.
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 simply gluing chopsticks together into the shape of a Ferris wheel, so there aren’t any difficult steps—if you stick with it, you’ll end up with an easy, great-looking miniature Ferris wheel! Plus, with a little ingenuity for the central axle, you can actually make it spin.
It’s recommended for those who want to quietly focus on crafting without dealing with complicated steps.
telescope
Believe it or not, you can make a telescope using only items from the 100-yen shop! Doing some stargazing with a handmade telescope sounds super exciting, doesn’t it? If you’re an elementary school student interested in making things or in astronomy, definitely give it a try! The key for the telescope’s lenses is to combine a pair of reading glasses with a magnifying glass.
A potato chip tube works perfectly for the telescope body, so it’s highly recommended.
It’s fine to observe the Moon with your finished telescope, but be sure never to look at the Sun! Have fun making a telescope you can proudly show off to your friends and family.
Paper Cup UFO Catcher
The “Paper Cup UFO Catcher” is a popular DIY recreation idea you can enjoy with elementary school kids.
Cut eight slits into a paper cup to make tentacle-like arms, then insert a straw through the center to move it.
Place another paper cup over the top and move it up and down—this opens and closes the arms.
The moment it grabs the target is super exciting! It’s easy to make with everyday materials, yet the movement feels authentic and makes it really fun to play.
Figuring out the controls is part of the charm, and it gets even more exciting when friends compete.
It’s a recommended activity that combines the joy of crafting with the sense of achievement from a game.
Sparkly inedible dessert
https://www.tiktok.com/@mugimama_diy/video/7458937267772607745Why not try your hand at sweets art with “sparkly inedible desserts”? They look just like real jelly! But… in fact, they’re entirely handmade fake sweets.
Using resin sheets, glitter, and clear materials, this craft lets you create jewel-like desserts you can’t eat.
Their cute, mysterious look will captivate anyone who sees them! Most people will probably think, “I’ve always wanted to taste a dessert like this at least once.” They’re sure to be eye-catching, photogenic pieces.
Plus, put them on a light base and they glow! It’s the perfect finishing touch for a romantically charming sweet.
