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.

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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.

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Make a classic Soma puzzle

Looking for a homemade gift or just a fun game. Try making this classic Soma puzzle.

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Make a firefly lantern

Want a natural nightlight? Catch some fireflies and make a firefly lantern. Here’s how.

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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.

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Make an Off-Shore Battle game

battle-200x148.jpgCharge up your power drill, sharpen that saw and make this cool custom-made Off-Shore Battle game.

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Make your own banjo

banjo-200x148.jpgMake a simple banjo and start making your own music.

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Use nature to make great Mother’s Day gifts

walnut-photo_main.jpgMother’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.

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Twist wire to make a great Mother’s Day present

letter-basket.jpgWith 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.

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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.

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Make the ultimate raingutter regatta racer

regatta-200x148.jpgA 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.

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Build a flagpole, table or chair for your camp

pioneering-200x148.jpgWith the right pioneering skills, you can create all kinds of contraptions that come in handy at a campsite.

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Catch a snowflake and keep it forever

snow-job_main.jpgSnowflakes 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.

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Make a Civil War pinhole camera

camera-200x148.jpgMake your own pinhole camera, much like the ones photographers used in the Civil War.

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Speed Secrets of the Pinewood Derby

derby12.jpgThere are many ways to make your Pinewood Derby car go faster. Here are some of them.

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Build an Electric Motor

motor-promo.jpgLearn the secrets of electro-magnets with this fun and simple project. With video.

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Weather Experiments

weather.jpgLearn more about science, weather and energy by conducting these experiments with easy-to-find materials.

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How to start a fish aquarium

aquarium2.jpgHaving an aquarium is cool – and easy! Here’s how to start yours.

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Make a Native-American Drum

drum_promo.jpgThis authentic Native-American drum will challenge your skill, but the results are well worth it.

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Build a ship in a bottle

shipbottle.jpgSomething 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.

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Catch some (radio) waves

Radios might seem super high-tech. But with about $10 and one afternoon, you can make one at home.

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Make your own minnow trap

Make a minnow trapYou’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.

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Make a tool chess set

chess-set.jpgUse nuts and bolts from your tool chest to make a cool chess set.

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Build a working robot

Build GISMO 4, a quick, remote-controlled robot that can do battle with other robots or roll around the house.

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How to carve the perfect pumpkin

pumpkin-thumb.jpgWorld-class pumpkin carver Farmer Mike shows you how to carve a creative jack-o’-lantern.

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How to get straight A’s

grade5.jpgTen tips to help you get straight A’s and have fun at the same time!

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Maintain your motor

engine.jpgWhether 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…

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Build a Purple Martin House for the birds

final_martin_hs.jpg Build a Purple Martin bird house and attract these bug-eating birds to your yard to help make your summer pest-free.

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Realistic grass for your models

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Make a suit of chain-mail armor

armor_main.jpgHere’s how you can become a knight in shining chain-mail armor.

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YOUR PHOTOS

Post your Pinewood Derby pictures

Did your car win the race? Or are you just really proud of how it turned out? Boyslife.org wants to share your photos with the world.

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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.
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