Hobby Hows

An easy meal for camping

An easy meal for camping: Wrap a hamburger patty, some frozen peas and diced potatoes in foil and place in your campfire until cooked.

-- Submitted by Sarah T., Fairhope, Ala. » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 23 comments

Keep your peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich

Keep your peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich from getting soggy by spreading peanut butter on both pieces of bread and then spreading the jelly in the middle.

-- Submitted by Zachary W., Croswell, Mich. » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 7 comments

When I go on camping trips

When I go on camping trips, there are always some boys who stay up late and are really loud. I always bring foam earplugs so I can get a good night’s sleep. They also work great as bobbers the next day when we go fishing.

-- Submitted by Ethan P., Las Vegas, Nev. » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 12 comments

If you are into LEGO Bionicles

If you are into LEGO Bionicles, try not to take them apart unless you have to. I’ve taken pieces apart and broken several.

-- Submitted by Joseph M., Tampa, Fla. » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 47 comments

Keep the number stickers on your derby racecar

Keep the number stickers on your derby racecar by putting clear nail polish over the stickers after you put them on your car.

-- Submitted by Jonathan G., Remsen, NY » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 2 comments

Use the clips that hold old socks together

Use the clips that hold old socks together as a money clip.

-- Submitted by Anthony K., Arvada, CO » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 2 comments

For perfectly round pancakes

For perfectly round pancakes, put the batter in a turkey baster and squeeze it onto the griddle.

-- Submitted by Phillip B., Falls Church, Va. » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 4 comments

When you are modeling with clay

When you are modeling with clay, put it in a bag with a damp paper towel so it won’t dry out.

-- Submitted by Kyle D., Hibbing, Minn » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 4 comments

For a Klondike derby

For a Klondike derby, always bring extra rope. A lot of extra rope.

-- Submitted by Ryan D., Whippany, N.J. » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 9 comments

If you have a good baseball card

If you have a good baseball card that you want to keep in mint condition, put it in an individual plastic case instead of a binder with sheets. Cases keep cards in much better condition.

-- Submitted by Austin W., Basking Ridge, N.J. » Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 13 comments

Tape four or five air-pump needles

Tape four or five air-pump needles together on a thin strip of duct tape. This makes them easy to find in your junk drawer.

-- Submitted by Garrity M., San Pedro, CA
» Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 4 comments

Whenever you are doing a hobby that involves measuring

Whenever you are doing a hobby that involves measuring, make sure you measure, then double-check the measurement before you do anything else with it.

-- Submitted by Matthew M., Leonia, NJ
» Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 3 comments

When collecting tree leaves

When collecting tree leaves, dip them in vegetable oil and cover with wax paper. This will preserve them for a long time. They will not dry out and tear.

-- Submitted by John David R., Pittsburgh, PA
» Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 5 comments

Shooting in daylight

For all photographers: When shooting in daylight, stand with your back to the sun, if possible.

-- Submitted by John K., Plymouth, Mich.
» Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 27 comments

Save empty Altoids tins

Save empty Altoids tins. They make a great place to store small parts, such as the gas pedal for model cars, that might get lost if put in a big box.

-- Submitted by David R., Avondale, Pa.
» Permalink | E-mail this to a friend | Read 17 comments

MAGIC IN A MINUTE

Fun magic tricks and jokes to amaze your friends

I can’t really bend my body in half as depicted in this picture, but I’m able to create the illusion that I can by using this simple bit of photo trickery.

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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:

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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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