BL Workshop
Make a solar hot dog cooker
If you curve some aluminum foil just right, you can cook hot dogs with the sun’s heat.
Make a “10,000-Year-Old” Lamp Shade
Cave paintings have been around for thousands of years. Light up your own bedroom “cave” with this torn-paper lamp shade.
Make a classic Soma puzzle
Looking for a homemade gift or just a fun game. Try making this classic Soma puzzle.
Make a firefly lantern
Want a natural nightlight? Catch some fireflies and make a firefly lantern. Here’s how.
Growing Plants Without Dirt
Plants don’t need soil as long as they have five things: food, water, light, air and support. You can provide all five in a hydroponic garden. Here’s how to create your own.
Make an Off-Shore Battle game
Charge up your power drill, sharpen that saw and make this cool custom-made Off-Shore Battle game.
Make your own banjo
Make a simple banjo and start making your own music.
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.
Make a Civil War pinhole camera
Make your own pinhole camera, much like the ones photographers used in the Civil War.
Speed Secrets of the Pinewood Derby
There are many ways to make your Pinewood Derby car go faster. Here are some of them.
Build an Electric Motor
Learn the secrets of electro-magnets with this fun and simple project. With video.
Weather Experiments
Learn more about science, weather and energy by conducting these experiments with easy-to-find materials.
How to start a fish aquarium
Having an aquarium is cool – and easy! Here’s how to start yours.
Make a Native-American Drum
This authentic Native-American drum will challenge your skill, but the results are well worth it.
Build a ship in a bottle
Something about a ship in a bottle doesn’t seem to fit. Oh, that’s it — the ship! Learn the secret to create your own ship in a bottle.
Catch some (radio) waves
Radios might seem super high-tech. But with about $10 and one afternoon, you can make one at home.
Make your own minnow trap
You’re ready for fishing. You’ve got everything … but bait. And no cash to buy any. Well, forget throwing money at minnows. Gather your own! It’s simple with this easy-to make trap.
Make a tool chess set
Use nuts and bolts from your tool chest to make a cool chess set.
Build a working robot
Build GISMO 4, a quick, remote-controlled robot that can do battle with other robots or roll around the house.
How to carve the perfect pumpkin
World-class pumpkin carver Farmer Mike shows you how to carve a creative jack-o’-lantern.
How to get straight A’s
Ten tips to help you get straight A’s and have fun at the same time!
Maintain your motor
Whether your motor powers a 700-horsepower race car or a 5-horsepower lawn mower, you need to give it some tender loving care. Here’s how…
Build a Purple Martin House for the birds
Build a Purple Martin bird house and attract these bug-eating birds to your yard to help make your summer pest-free.
»Make a suit of chain-mail armor
Here’s how you can become a knight in shining chain-mail armor.
VIDEO PROJECT
How do Olympic gymnasts keep from falling off a balance beam?MAGIC IN A MINUTE
Fun magic tricks and jokes to amaze your friends
Here's a trick that you can use to easily prove your powers of mental telepathy.Mac King shows you how to convince your friends that you can read minds.
>> Click here to see the trick
>> See more Magic in a Minute
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