Hobbies & Projects – Page 6 – Scout Life magazine

Primitive Rope with a Twist

American Indians made rope and twine (cordage) using natural fibers from trees, plants and animals. You can make cordage using common materials found around the house or at the hobby store. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Build a Custom Desk

Build your own desk with a tray for your computer keyboard, shelves and even a secret drawer.

Build your own skate longboard

Todd Davis, author of "Handy Dad," offers step-by-step instructions for creating your own skate longboard. With a little work, you can be carving back and forth across the blacktop in no time.

Sure-fire hits to get you reading

Not sure what to read? Start with this teacher/librarian-tested list of titles for boys of all ages.

Pro Angler Demonstrates 5 Ways to Cast Your Fishing Line

Improve your fishing with these casting tips from a professional fisherman.

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.

How to build a bug board

They might annoy us or amaze us, but there's no question about it: Bugs are an essential part of the natural order of things. Here's how to make your own nature museum to display them.

How to build a rain barrel for collecting rainwater

Conserve water by collecting rainwater and using it for your garden or lawn.

100 Cool Pinewood Derby Car Photos of 2010

Looking for Pinewood Derby design ideas? Browse our photos of more than 100 amazing Pinewood Derby cars.

Video of a Super-Fast Pinewood Derby Track

Watch video of Indiana Cub Scouts experiencing a whole new speed of pinewood derby at this giant track.

Make a 3D camera

Make a stereograph, using two cameras to create cool 3D snapshots.

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.

How to start a hydroponic garden

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 your own banjo

Make a simple banjo and start making your own music.

Twist wire to make a great 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.

How to start a collection of magazines

Read it and keep it! Here's how to start a great collection of magazines.

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.

Make a Civil War pinhole camera

Make your own pinhole camera, much like the ones photographers used in the Civil War.

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.

Send Us a Photo of Your BL Workshop Project

Have you built one of the projects features in the pages of Boys' Life magazine or on Boyslife.org? If so, we'd love to see a photo of the completed work.