Hobbies & Projects - Scout Life magazine

How to Build a Pingpong Ball Launcher

Make this cool pingpong ball launcher for target-shooting fun.

100+ Awesome Pinewood Derby Cars of 2014

Boyslife.org readers have sent us photos of amazing pinewood derby car designs. Take a look at some of our favorites.

Build your own fitness equipment

Build the strength and endurance to take part in all your adventures.

Build a Rustic Clothes Rack

Gather some branches, make a simple frame and create this handy clothes rack.

Use Thanksgiving Leftovers to Make a Turkey Yelper or Necklace

Native Americans used turkey bones to craft turkey calls and necklaces. Put your Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with these fun DIY projects.

Build a Mailbox

Show off your carpentry skills and help out your family.

Build a magnetic lock and key for a storage box

Use magnets to make your own lock and key for your footlocker or other storage box.

Make Your Own Leather Drawstring Pouch

Keep your loose change or other small stuff safe inside this handy leather pouch.

Make a compost tumbler

Here's how to tumble your way to rich compost for your garden and plants.

How to Build a Pet-Bowl Stand

Try these step-by-step directions for building a raised pet-bowl stand to provide a comfortable place for your dog or cat to eat and drink.

How to make a pallet planter

You can make this rustic planter out of split pallet slats and a five-gallon bucket.

9 tips for taking better smartphone photos

Use these handy smartphone photography tips to take awesome pictures with your camera phone.

12 tips for taking better digital photos

Want to take better digital photos? Here are 12 tips that will help your pictures really stand out.

Build a solar food dehydrator

Use this solar food dehydrator to make dried healthy snacks for your next camping or hiking trip.

Make a Paracord Watchband or Bracelet

A paracord watchband makes a great gift or can be used as a survival tool. Unraveled, it provides about 10 feet of handy paracord for fixing tent lines or tying together broken gear.

How to stencil custom shirts

Create T-shirts or flags for your pack or troop with this easy and fun stencil project.

100 Spectacular Pinewood Derby Cars of 2013

Looking for some amazing pinewood derby car design ideas? Take a look at some of our favorites.

How to Draw an Elephant

Grab a pencil (NOT a pen!) and let's draw an elephant! Here's how.

50 Incredible Pinewood Derby Cars of 2012

Looking for some new Pinewood Derby car design ideas? Take a look at some of the great cars sent to us in 2012.

Three fun electronics projects

Make a doorknob touch detector, a quick-draw game and a super-sensitive current detector with parts you can get a local stores.

How to Make a Ventriloquist’s Puppet

Build this goofy-looking ventriloquist's figure, then put on a show using ventriloquism (making it talk without moving your mouth).

100 Amazing Pinewood Derby Car Design Photos of 2011

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

A peek at BL Workshop projects from decades past

To close out our 100th birthday year, here's a glimpse of some BL projects from decades past.

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 Project!

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