BL Workshop

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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Build a tetrahedral kite

ready-to-fly.jpgLearn to fly! Build one of these simple kites and reach for the skies.

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Make A Native American Rattle

painted-rattle1.jpgCreate your own Native American Rattle out of dried gourds.

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Take a hike with your own walking stick

hiking-200×148.jpgWalking sticks make hiking more fun. Next time you go hiking, step out with a personal walking stick that you made yourself.

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Make a bird feeder!

cardinal.jpgThis simple project makes an ample feeder for serving a flock of seed eaters.

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Make a toy acrobat

acrobat-200×148.jpgYou can turn an old action figure toy into a neat new acrobat that can do flips and somersaults.

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Solar-powered cooking

solar-200×148.jpgYou don’t need four burners and a gas line to make some great-tasting trail food.

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Make your own Dino Swamp

dino.jpgCreate your own Dino Swamp using items you may already have at home.

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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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>> Tell us about your collection

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