[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 (211–220)
a picture from the story
When drawing, choosing a theme is important, and some people may struggle with that and find it hard to get started.
For those who aren’t good at deciding on a theme, a recommended approach is to use a story as a reference and create your artwork from it.
Freely choose a narrative, find a scene you like, and express it in your own way through your art.
Because cover illustrations and interior artwork can influence you, it takes skill to see how far you can distance yourself from them and how much originality you can bring.
Try to visualize the setting of the story and make a habit of expanding your imagination from there.
Cool rubber band gun
Let me introduce a strong and cool rubber band gun.
Prepare 17 bendable straws, a clothespin, tape, and scissors, and let’s make it.
Take two straws and tape their bendable sections together to secure them.
Attach one clothespin to the gap of the joined straws to create the base.
When bundling straws, secure them tightly so the stacked pieces don’t shift.
Stack eight straws by grouping them in sets of four, extend the bendable sections, and build the structure.
When attaching parts together, make sure the straws are firmly fixed so they don’t slip.
Once it’s finished, hook on a rubber band and give it a try!
Cute crafts for the kitchen
This is a craft project where you use everyday materials like paper cups, paper napkins, and water balloons to make small, play-kitchen-style items.
The book features recipe-style crafts focused on cute sweets such as ice cream, cupcakes, and pudding, making it feel as fun as flipping through a cookbook.
One especially noteworthy method is making a dome-shaped cup by pasting paper napkins onto a water balloon, letting it dry, and then popping the balloon.
Add toppings made from felt or origami to finish it off so it looks like a real dessert.
You can also customize paper plates and drink cups to create displays that look like a charming little shop.
It’s a visually delightful craft that sparks creativity.
[For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Amazing! Summer Vacation Craft Ideas (221–230)
Stencil: “Various Dream-colored Trees”
Let’s paint with a sponge! I’ll introduce an idea for a stencil called “Various Dream-Colored Trees.” A stencil refers to a technique where you place a stencil sheet with letters or patterns cut out, then apply paint from above to create the design.
This time, let’s try making a picture using a sponge and a craft knife.
What you’ll need: black construction paper, white construction paper, a ruler, a pencil, a craft knife, tape, a sponge, and paints.
It’s a wonderful idea that will have your friends and teachers asking, “How did you make that?”
smart ball
Smart Ball is a playful craft that lets you build your very own game while getting excited about the motion of a rolling marble.
Cut lumber to fit a perforated board to create a frame.
Add an incline beneath the board so the marble rolls more easily.
For the launcher, use nails and rubber bands to make a pull-and-release mechanism that shoots the marble.
Attach a plastic sheet on top of the board to enhance the sound and feel as the marble rolls.
Place small pegs called dowels to add unpredictability to the marble’s path.
With creative targets and decorations, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind original Smart Ball game.
It’s a fun way to nurture creativity and observation skills as you play.
Cardboard 3D craft
Three-dimensional creations using single-faced corrugated cardboard make the most of the material’s qualities depending on the direction and shape of your cuts.
If you cut along the direction of the flutes, the cardboard bends easily; by changing the cutting direction, you can form pillar-like shapes.
Cut long strips and coil them or make rods to combine into towers, arches, or animal bodies—shape them freely.
Connecting multiple parts in three dimensions results in sturdy works.
Painting the surface or adding patterns enhances the finish.
Sculptures born from everyday materials convey the depth of making and the freedom of imagination.
Cardboard garbage collection truck
Let me introduce cardboard garbage collection trucks.
There are different types of garbage trucks, and their movements and installed parts vary.
All of the trucks being introduced are made using cardboard.
By paying attention to details—such as changing the shape of the emergency stop switch section, recreating the tail lamps with plastic sheets, and writing the manufacturer’s name—you can complete a garbage truck that looks just like the real thing.
Understanding the movements and features of each type of garbage truck also makes it easier to imagine the materials you’ll need to prepare.
Be sure to try making a garbage truck in your own style.