Hobbies & Projects
Make your own banjo
Make a simple banjo and start making your own music.
BL WORKSHOP
Use nature to make great Mother’s Day gifts
Mother’s Day is May 11. Show your mom just how great she is by making her a gift inspired by Mother Nature herself! Topped off with a homemade card, it will be a present Mom will never forget.
Twist wire to make a great Mother’s Day present
With a few tools, you can twist and turn metal into something that is functional and easy on the eyes. Here’s how to wire up some new things around the house.
Make your own mailbox stove
Looking for a unique and fun way to cook for your troop? Do what this North Carolina troop does: Cook in a mailbox.
Make the ultimate raingutter regatta racer
A winning raingutter racer stays on an even keel, moves in a straight line, keeps the bow above water and does not drag. If your boat does all this, it finishes ahead of any boat that can’t. Here’s how to build your winner.
Build a flagpole, table or chair for your camp
With the right pioneering skills, you can create all kinds of contraptions that come in handy at a campsite.
Catch a snowflake and keep it forever
Snowflakes are among nature’s most beautiful and short-lived creations. Yet there is a way to preserve these fragile wonders to study or admire them anytime you wish.
FUN STUFF TO DO
Make homemade dog treats
Sit! Stay! Eat! Here’s how to make yummy homemade treats for the family dog.
How to start a collection of magazines
Read it and keep it! Here’s how to start a great collection of magazines.
Weird science experiments
Have fun with the wacky world of science. Try these simple experiments.
Optical Illusions
Your eyes can play tricks on you. See if you can figure out these optical illusions.
VIDEO PROJECT
HOBBY HOWS
Hobby ideas and tips contributed by readers
From photography to fishing to coin collecting, Boys' Life readers share their hobby secrets. Here are the most recent:- An easy meal for camping
- Keep your peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich
- When I go on camping trips
- If you are into LEGO Bionicles
- Keep the number stickers on your derby racecar
- Use the clips that hold old socks together
- For perfectly round pancakes
- When you are modeling with clay
- For a Klondike derby
- If you have a good baseball card
>> Send us your tips
YOUR PHOTOS
Post your Pinewood Derby pictures
>> Click here to upload photos
>> Click here to see all the photos
COLLECTING
Readers tell us about their collections
If it exists, Boys' Life readers probably collect it. Here are some of the interesting, unusual and just plain cool collections that you've sent us.- I collect fortunes from fortune cookies
- I collect stamps
- I collect pencil lead
- I collect hat pins
- I collect coins
- I collect farm toys
- I collect mini football helmets
- I collect keychains
- I collect video games
- I collect medals from special events
>> Tell us about your collection
Slow down and watch carefully, and you’ll be amazed at the things you see in nature.