[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 (231–240)
Three-dimensional sculpture made with wire and aluminum foil
Let’s make the most of pliers! Here are some ideas for creating three-dimensional artworks using wire and aluminum foil.
By the upper grades, you can use a variety of materials and tools properly and safely, right? This time, let’s try a 3D sculpture by arranging wire and aluminum foil with pliers.
It’s recommended to decide on a theme before you start, but it can also be fun to expand your ideas by comparing accidental shapes with the images in your mind.
If you insert the pieces into styrofoam, they’ll be easier to display!
Cardboard guitar that makes sound
Let’s introduce a fun-to-make cardboard guitar.
Prepare one cardboard box, five rubber bands, a food tray, packing tape, glue, scissors, and a cutting mat, then let’s get started.
Draw a rough outline of a guitar on the opened cardboard and cut out each part along the lines.
Make slits along the long side of the food tray; the depth of the slits will change the sound it produces.
Thread the rubber bands through the slit area.
Attach the food tray to the hole in the guitar body part using packing tape.
Glue the neck and head together.
Then glue the neck and head onto the guitar body to complete it.
Paint it and add decorations to finish your own original guitar!
[For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Amazing! Summer Vacation Craft Ideas (241–250)
A soccer game you can make with straws
How about making a simple toy out of straws so you can enjoy soccer at home? It’s a fun, engaging game you can play together with friends or family! Another great point is that you can make it using familiar materials like an empty box and some straws.
Use the empty box to create the field and the straws to build the goals.
Attach straws to the player pieces you cut out from the box, and control them as you play.
It could be even more exciting to model the players after your favorite stars! This toy is sure to help kids develop dexterity and concentration.
We’ve shared detailed instructions in a video, so check it out and give it a try!
Make a bow and arrow with straws!
A piece you worked hard to make yourself becomes twice as fun if you can play with it afterward, right? So this time, we’re introducing a bow and arrow you can make with straws.
You can use either thick boba straws or regular straws.
Besides the straws, you’ll just need common household items like a toilet paper roll and rubber bands, so it’s easy to prepare.
The projectile that the bow shoots is made from the toilet paper roll and rubber bands.
Make the bow using a straw and a spherical Styrofoam ball.
Once it’s finished, just aim and shoot at targets made from paper plates or balloons.
Kids will enjoy crafting it with the excitement of being able to play with it after it’s done.
How to make a basic robot
Build a robot with your own hands! Here are some ideas for making a basic robot.
These days, we often see robots active in various roles.
In fast-food restaurants, there are robots that carry food and drinks, and some households even keep robot pets.
This time, let’s try making a simple robot.
You’ll need items like a ruler, scissors, a pen, thick paper or cardboard, batteries, a battery holder, a switch, a motor, and wires.
Be sure to work together with a teacher or a guardian.
autonomous self-driving robot car
Make and play! Here are some ideas for an autonomous robot car.
Many of you have probably played by moving toy vehicles like cars or trains by hand.
This time, let’s try building a robot car that moves on its own.
In the video, they use tools and kits.
The completed self-driving robot car runs along a course drawn with a black pen on paper.
When using tools, be sure to work together with a teacher or guardian.
Give it a try!
Aroma Fragrance
If you’re looking for an easy, summery craft, I recommend making an aroma fragrance jar! Prepare a jar, gel ice packs, blue food coloring, essential oils, and decorations like marbles or seashells.
First, fill the jar about one-third full with the gel from the ice packs and add the food coloring to tint it.
Once the color is set, add more gel and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Finally, add the decorations and put the lid on—you’re done! Using blue food coloring with marbles or seashells makes it look like you’ve captured the sea inside the jar.
Try creating one with your favorite theme!
