[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 (31–40)
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.
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!
Minecraft accessories
Let’s make some game character merchandise! Here are ideas for Minecraft-themed accessories.
Minecraft is a globally popular game, and it even had a movie released.
How about making accessories inspired by Minecraft characters this time? You’ll need a grass-like sheet material, wooden cubes, scissors, black felt, strong double-sided tape or glue, an awl, and accessory findings.
You can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop, so feel free to give it a try!
Handmade Happy Noodles
https://www.tiktok.com/@n.annlee321/video/7317570138859900162Looks just like the real thing! Let’s handcraft some happy noodles.
Flatten a cotton ball made from yellow embroidery thread to form a lump of noodles.
Also, wrap another embroidery thread around chopsticks and soak it in water mixed with liquid starch.
Once it dries and you remove it, it will turn into curly noodles, so make some of those too.
Use a small paper cup as the container and attach a package label you designed with a design app.
Put in the noodles and a packet of toppings, then stick on the lid to finish! You might even be able to use it as a keychain if you add some parts.
Baskin-Robbins-style ice cream
I want to make cute fake-sweets keychains or ornaments! If that sounds a bit hard, here’s a great project to try: a Baskin-Robbins-style ice cream that looks just like the real thing.
All you need are paper clay, paint, a toothbrush, and a bamboo skewer.
Color the paper clay and roll it into a ball in the size of the ice cream you want, flatten the bottom, then use the skewer and toothbrush to create the ice cream texture.
Once you get used to it, you’ll pick up the knack quickly.
If you mix in too much paint, the color gets too dark and you’ll have to add more clay, so it’s best to add the paint little by little.
Try placing your scoop in a paper cup or even a real ice cream cup.
[For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Awesome! Summer Vacation Craft Ideas (41–50)
For demon-slaying only! Bean-throwing rubber band gun
Oni-busting only! Here’s how to make a bean-throwing rubber band popper.
Prepare chopsticks, roasted soybeans (fukumame), construction paper, tape, scissors, and rubber bands.
Roll the construction paper into a tube, then secure the tube with rubber bands by clamping it between a pair of chopsticks folded in half.
The key is to wrap the rubber bands tightly so they don’t loosen.
Be careful not to cut your hand on the ends of the chopsticks.
When launching, dent the tip of the paper tube, hook on a rubber band, set it, and play.
When playing, don’t aim at people and make sure to play safely.
Paper airplane flying forever
Paper airplanes are fun for small children and make adults get surprisingly serious, too.
There are many folding methods—some fly far, some glide long distances, and some fly fast—which makes them enjoyable.
This is a way to fold a paper airplane that will keep flying with just a little breeze—almost forever.
Start by turning an A4 sheet into a square, cut it diagonally into two triangles, and then fold.
If you fold along with the video, you’ll finish in no time, and one A4 sheet will make two airplanes.
You’ll want to head to a wide-open space and try flying them right away.