RAG MusicScience
Wonderful independent research

Simple but awesome! Craft ideas for upper-grade girls

We’ve got easy craft ideas for upper elementary school girls who want to make cute and amazing projects for their summer vacation! From melon cream soda and candied apple squishies to fluffy pipe-cleaner dolls, these are creations that are exciting just to look at.

We’ve gathered lots of crafts that are simple to make but will still make people’s eyes light up with a “Wow!” Plus, the materials can all be found at 100-yen shops.

Make it a fun and memorable summer break project!

Handmade accessories and small items (51–60)

Bird call making

Super easy summer vacation homework! Make a bird call with your kids! Try talking to wild birds while camping or hiking!
Bird call making

As a craft project perfect for children who love nature observation, I recommend making a bird call.

Prepare a hand-sized wooden branch and drill a small hole in the center.

Screw in a metal part called an eye nut, and when you twist it so the wood and metal rub against each other, it produces a sound like birdsong.

Real birds may sometimes respond to this sound, so trying it out in a park after making it is part of the fun.

The volume and pitch change depending on the type of wood and the depth of the hole, so by experimenting and recording the differences, you can enhance the quality of the project as an independent study.

It’s a hands-on idea that lets kids connect with nature while sparking curiosity about how sound works.

A one-of-a-kind toy clock in the world

Summer vacation craft project: Want to make a one-of-a-kind toy clock?
A one-of-a-kind toy clock in the world

The idea is to make a clock using a clock movement and a board, then attach various toys to it.

You can get a clock movement at a 100-yen shop or a handmade goods store, and you can buy the board for the clock face at a home improvement store.

First, draw diagonal lines on the board to find the center point, and mark where to drill the hole for the movement.

Next, use a protractor to decide where to place the numbers on the clock.

After drilling the hole and painting if you like, it’s time to decorate the face.

Use a hot glue gun to attach the toys however you like.

Finally, secure the clock movement in the hole, and you’re done.

Arrange your favorite toys with style and create a wonderful clock!

small accessory case

[100-Yen DIY] Fast and still in time! A small accessory box in 3 minutes—easy craft. Perfect for summer vacation projects or a room makeover. Enjoy your time at home!
small accessory case

Let me introduce a cute and handy little storage container.

Get a wooden box, a cutting board, a round dowel, a hot glue gun, and a saw, and let’s get started.

Use the hot glue gun to attach the cutting board to the left and right sides of the wooden box.

Cut the round dowel to the appropriate length, sand the ends smooth, thread it through the holes, and secure it with the hot glue gun.

The process is simple and easy to make, so definitely give it a try.

It’s also recommended to paint it to add a personal touch.

Dinosaur Snow Globe

I’m going to introduce a second grader’s summer vacation craft! A dinosaur snow globe. Koki TV
Dinosaur Snow Globe

Many children love dinosaurs, don’t they? Some probably have lots of dinosaur merchandise, too.

So let’s make a summer vacation project using dinosaurs: a snow globe in a glass container filled with liquid laundry starch (or school glue) and purified water.

Use a hot glue gun to attach a dinosaur figurine to the inside of the glass lid.

Be careful when using the glue gun, as it gets very hot.

Pour the laundry starch (or glue) and purified water into the container, then tint it with paint in your favorite color.

If you add glitter, you’ll get a sparkly, authentic-looking snow globe.

Close the lid and turn it upside down, and you’ll have a beautiful snow globe with a dinosaur inside.

Handmade Accessories & Small Items (61–70)

stone art

Rock art with kids: perfect for summer vacation independent research, free craft projects, and making memories
stone art

Let’s make stone art using materials close at hand, like those from rivers and parks.

Start by collecting stones and twigs.

Choosing stones without sharp edges will help you create cute pieces.

Also, selecting twigs with branches is a key tip for making a lovely work.

Arrange the stones and twigs you found on a frame or cork board, which you can also buy at a 100-yen shop.

As children think, design, and create on their own, it boosts their imagination.

You can paint the pieces, and it’s also nice to add pinecones, leaves, and other items besides stones and twigs.

Let’s make a bamboo lantern

[Anywhere Art] [Summer Vacation Craft] Let's make a bamboo lantern
Let's make a bamboo lantern

Here’s how to make a bamboo lantern that looks beautiful when it glows at night.

Use a saw to cut the bamboo.

Make slits in the cut bamboo, then gently tap from above with a hammer to create openings where the light will shine through.

The key is to tap with the hammer without using too much force.

Drill holes to create several small windows for the light to leak out.

Wrap yarn around the top and bottom of the bamboo tube, using double-sided tape to secure it.

Place an LED light inside, switch it on, and let it shine.

It emits a soft glow that gives off a traditional Japanese ambiance.

Sparkling Kaleidoscope

Sparkling Kaleidoscope: Perfect for summer vacation crafts and independent research!
Sparkling Kaleidoscope

If you’re unsure what to make for your summer vacation craft project, why not try a sparkling kaleidoscope? You can make this kaleidoscope with recycled materials and items from the 100-yen shop.

Cut a hard plastic case and form it into a triangular prism, then place beads in the bottom and secure them.

On the opposite end, attach a piece of black construction paper with a peephole.

Glue a milk carton—lined on the inside with black construction paper—around the triangular prism, and decorate it as you like to finish.

While kaleidoscopes typically use mirrors, in this idea the hard plastic case serves that role.