[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 Amazing! Summer Vacation Craft Ideas (21–30)
A beanbag-toss game using ping-pong balls
Here’s a fun and engaging game using ping-pong balls: a ball-toss challenge.
Gather chopsticks, clothespins, tape, and paper cups to make it.
When building the launcher, be mindful of the angle as you fix the chopsticks in place with tape.
Secure them firmly with tape and test to make sure it works properly as you build.
Attach a pair of plastic bottle caps to the back end of the chopsticks, and it’s complete.
You can decorate it however you like.
Stick paper cups on the wall to create goals, then try shooting from the launcher and have fun playing!
gel candle
At 100-yen shops, you can find a product called gel candles, and with them you can easily make homemade candles.
Gel candles are easy to handle, and you can even pour two different colors one on top of the other to create a two-layer candle.
The way the colors blend slightly between the layers also gives it a lovely look.
Plus, by placing items you like—such as colored sand, seashells, or dried flowers—into the glass before pouring in the gel candle, you can create a more stylish and original piece.
Give it a try and make one with your own sense of style.
Torokira Keychain
Do you know those cute accessories with a little doll floating in a tiny plastic bag? You often see them as prizes at festival raffles, but actually, you can make them yourself.
You only need items mostly from a 100-yen shop—like a soft card holder, beads and glitter, liquid laundry starch, and masking tape—so it’s a budget-friendly craft project.
Add cutouts of your favorite character or idol to the decorations, and it instantly becomes merch for your fave! You’ll want to make them for everyone!
cotton ball lights
A lamp shade with a soft, round texture that’s adorably charming.
It’s nice that you can make it just by inflating a water balloon, wrapping colorful cotton yarn around it, and letting it dry.
What you’ll need: water balloons, cotton yarn, glue, LED string lights, batteries, and a brush.
For the paste to stick the yarn, put glue in a container, add a little water, and brush it on.
After letting it dry completely for 1–2 days, pop the balloon inside and it’s done.
Make several in different colors for a vibrant piece that fits perfectly into your interior decor.
Using jute twine instead of cotton yarn will give it a different look.
No-bake shrink plastic keychain
Non-bake shrink-plastic keychains are a super easy craft, so they’re highly recommended.
Since you can make them without baking, there’s no worry about them warping in the oven and failing.
Just stick a sticker onto the plastic sheet, cut it to your preferred size, and apply a self-adhesive laminate film on top.
Then punch a hole and thread the strap—done! Try using illustrations or photos to enjoy your own original designs.
With a bit of creativity, you can handmake all kinds of keychains, and making them with friends doubles the fun!
gemstone soap
How about making pretty, gem-like “jewel soaps” that look just like real gemstones? With a jewel soap kit, which lets you color glycerin soap, it’s surprisingly easy.
Simply mix your desired colors into glycerin soap, melt it in the microwave, pour it into a mold to set, then cut it into any shapes you like.
Try making one in your birthstone color, or experiment by blending different hues.
With a small twist to shape it like a crystal, you’ll end up with a beautiful soap that will amaze everyone!
fake acrylic keychain
Acrylic keychains are appealing items thanks to their sturdy material, letting you show off the cute designs without worrying much about them breaking when you hang them on a bag.
With that acrylic keychain image in mind, how about making a durable keychain using simple materials? The main component is a sticker of the character you want to feature on the keychain; you cut it out and wrap it with tape to give it an acrylic-like look.
To make it more colorful and more durable, it’s also important to consider which tapes you use and how much you layer them.
