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

Camera craft

[Independent Research] Projecting an Inverted Real Image with a DIY Camera!

Let’s try making a camera using a milk carton.

A camera is handy for taking photos and preserving memories.

It’s a simple version, but you can make it yourself.

You’ll use a milk carton, a plastic bag, a magnifying glass to act as a lens, and black construction paper.

First, cut off the top and bottom of the milk carton.

On one end, fold the edges inward about 1 cm on all four sides, then cover it with a cut piece of plastic bag and secure it.

Next, make a tube out of black construction paper that’s just a little larger than the milk carton, and fold in the edges on one end in the same way.

Fix the magnifying glass there, and then insert the milk carton you prepared earlier into the inside of the tube to finish.

Take it outside and experiment to see how it looks!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Cute seasonal decorations and keychains

Using shrink plastic, fluffy pipe cleaners, and clear stickers, you can make seasonal decorations and keychains.

Cut the shrink plastic into any shape you like, then use a single-hole punch to make holes around the edges for threading the fluffy pipe cleaners.

After threading the pipe cleaners, stick clear stickers onto the transparent area in the center.

You can add a chain to make it a keychain, or hang it with a string to turn it into a suncatcher.

Swapping out a seasonally themed keychain for each season is stylish and delightful, isn’t it?

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

The World of Masks

[Elementary School Craft] The World of Masks

Why not make a free-form mask and transform into a different persona? It would be so much fun to express your emotions—fear, joy, and more—by turning them into a mask.

First, punch holes where the eyes go in a sheet of colored construction paper in your favorite color.

It’s also fine to have no holes at all, and to use any shapes you like.

Then freely cut out facial features, fangs, horns, and more from origami paper, and attach them with cellophane tape.

Finally, draw patterns with a felt-tip pen to finish.

It sounds really fun to express your transformed self with a mask, doesn’t it?

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

Handmade toy from an empty snack box

[Elementary School Summer Vacation Crafts/Independent Research] Handmade Toys Using Empty Snack Boxes 🌻 #SummerVacationCrafts #IndependentResearch #Crafts #EasyCrafts #PlayAtHome #HandmadeToys #DIY

Make it with an empty snack box! Here’s how to create a pom‑pom shooting game! First, prepare an empty box that once held something like Choco Pie.

Reinforce the back by attaching a wooden stick so the lid can stay open.

Next, glue wooden sticks to the top and bottom of a wooden clip and wrap a rubber band around it.

Attach a plastic bottle cap to one end, and fix the other end to the back of the box.

Finally, stick a few small paper cups inside the box wherever you like, and you’re done.

Set a cotton ball in the bottle cap and launch it with a pop—have fun playing!

Original watch

[Elementary School Craft] Original Clock

Why not try making a one-of-a-kind original clock using a DIY clock kit? First, draw diagonal lines on a canvas board and drill a hole where the lines intersect to attach the movement.

Sketch a few ideas, then paint your design with acrylic gouache based on those sketches.

To make the numbers stand out, you can create them with paper clay.

If you prepare a template that divides a circle into 12 equal parts, it will be easier to decide the placement of the numbers.

Once you finish painting, attach the movement through the hole you prepared in advance.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

Craft paper hat

[Elementary School Craft] A Hat Made with Kraft Paper

Let’s try making a hat using materials like kraft paper.

First, crumple the kraft paper into a ball to soften it.

Then wrap it around your head and secure it with tape at just the right size.

Once it’s taped, feel free to adjust the length and shape as you like.

You can tear it by hand or twist it, too.

After you’ve settled on a shape, try decorating it with tissue paper or origami.

When your one-of-a-kind hat is finished, having a fashion show can be lots of fun!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

Korokoro Slider

[Elementary School Craft] Rolling Ball Slider

Make it easily with cardboard! Here’s how to build a rolling slider.

It’s super simple! Prepare a piece of cardboard cut into a rectangle, then use smaller pieces of cardboard to make features like hills and tunnels, and tape them on with packing tape.

We recommend deciding the course and rules however you like and writing them with a permanent marker.

For the ball, crumpled aluminum foil or a marble makes it extra fun.

You can expand the play by turning it into a soccer game, or by using a large sheet of drawing paper as the base—there are lots of ways to enjoy it, whether you’re playing alone or with friends.

Let your imagination flow and create a one-of-a-kind toy of your own!