Hot Hobbies & Toys Posts
How To: Make a Barbie-sized princess tiara
For the fairy sized princess tiara you will need 32 gauge silver wire, silver ball beads, seed beads (your choice of color) and 4 mm crystal beads. Start with about 6" of the wire. String a seed bead to the center of the wire- and twist one or two times to secure it in place. Then bring both ends of the wire together- and clip so that they are even. Next string a 4 mm crystal bead over both pieces of wire and press snugly next to the first seed bead already strung. Then add a silver ball bead...
How To: Make a working mini chandelier light for a dollhouse
Garden of Imagination demonstrates how to make a real working miniature chandelier light for a doll house. We need some cord wires, beads, an electric bulb of 12 volt and plugs.
How To: Build an android animatronic
Systm is the Do It Yourself show designed for the common geek who wants to quickly and easily learn how to dive into the latest and hottest tech projects. We will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast.
How To: Make a balloon basket
In this video, we learn how to make a balloon basket. This will be a square anti-prism made of white balloons and pink balloons. But, you can change the color if you would like. Start out by creating large and small bubbles inside the first balloon. Then, tie this with the other balloon and connect them both together. After this, you will have the bottom of the basket. Create a bunch of bubbles connecting both of these and attach it to other bubbled balloons to create a large top above the ba...
How To: Make a nut and bolt keychain
Project 4 of the Popular Science 5 Minute Projects with Craftsmen Tools is a Nut-and-Bolt Keychain. Downsize your pocket cargo with a custom-fit keychain. Editor Sean Captain ditches the ring and uses more tool than necessary to trim a small bolt to just the right size for his set of keys. (For a slightly different take on the project, see the site that inspired us: carlitoscontraptions.blogspot.com).
How To: Do a fishtail braid variation on your American Girl doll
In this video, we learn how to do a fishtail variation on your American Girl doll. First, brush the hair out so it's smooth and then take a section from the top right side and top left side. Cross these together on the back of the head and then grab another piece of hair. Start to braid these together and push them from side to side. Alternate grabbing pieces of hair from each side of the head, making them as big or little chunks as you want to. As you continue to cross the hair, you will rea...
How To: Make a light up bubble tube
Lava lamps are cool and retro, but they can be expensive and there is a risk of fire if you leave them unattended and they tip over accidentally. By using this tutorial by Shooting Eggs, you can make your own light up bubble tube using materials you might already have around the house, and it will be safer and a whole lot cheaper than the kind you'd buy. Make one of these babies, and your 1966 love den will be all ready to go.
How To: Make a spear out of foam for boffer larping
Build a spear for boffer larping! This video is aimed at Dagorhir, but you can use it for any boffer larp. You'll need foam, duct tape, a sharp bread knife or saw knife, a Sharpie, a Nerf football, cloth tape and fabric to cover it.
How To: Simulate cylinder fins for RC model airplane engines
Check out this video tutorial on how to use the "double string method" to simulate cylinder fins on dummy model engine cylinders. If you like building engines for remote-controlled vehicles (airplanes), then this will definitely help you out with your RC projects, just by learning the "double string method" for cylinder fins simulation.
How To: Apply eyelashes to open eyed reborn baby dolls
In this video, we learn how to apply eyelashes to open eyed reborn baby dolls. First, you will need to prepare the glue by placing it on a flat surface and letting sit for a couple minutes. Then, take the new eyelashes and remove the existing glue with tweezers. After you do this, dip the base of the lashes into the glue. Do this slowly and make sure to wipe off any excess glue when you're finished. Place the glue evenly around the entire lash. Now, bring the lash to the eye and insert it int...
News: World's First 3D Printed UAV Takes to the Skies
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been widely used by the military for surveillance and reconnaissance missions—even armed combat. But there are other beneficial applications of an unmanned aircraft, such as search and rescue operations, scientific exploration, locating mineral deposits, transporting goods and even filming bikini models. But drone development can be pretty pricey, unless you just happen to have a 3D printer...
How To: Build a Lego airplane
This is more stop motion than instructional. But we enjoyed it nonetheless. Watch and learn how to construct a Lego airplane in one minute.
How To: Mix Oobleck
In this tutorial, we learn how to mix Oobleck. First, place some cornstarch into a large plastic bowl, then add in some water. After this, mix the ingredients together with a straw until you have a paste that forms from both of them. Don't add too much water, you want this to be more thick than creamy. Now that you have made this, add in food coloring of your choice to make this more fun, just make sure you don't get it on your clothing. After you have mixed the food coloring in with it, you ...
How To: Build a Hovercraft with Plywood and a Leaf Blower
This tutorial video will show you how to build a hovercraft using plywood, a leaf blower, and various other materials. This hovercraft works best on a smooth, flat surface.
Legs o' LEGO: Pinocchio, the Amazing Bipedal Android
This Mindstorms NXT-based 'droid may be able to walk upright like a human being — but can he do the robot? Not without a torso, he can't! Better luck next time, Biomechanics Department of the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena.
How To: Build a LEGO computer monitor
This video describes how to make a model or representative figure of a computer monitor using LEGO blocks. The process only requires six distinct types of LEGO blocks. One of each of the six types of LEGO blocks is used in the construction of a LEGO computer monitor. The author names, describes, and visually displays each different LEGO block necessary for completing this project. The author begins to construct the LEGO computer monitor out of the aforementioned LEGO types. The author shows t...
How To: Make a baby Spider-Man balloon with diaper
One of the tougher models to make in balloon twisting is a balloon baby, also seen on an episode of Scrubs. If you were curious how they made a balloon baby, check out this video. In it, you will get a full tutorial on how to create your own balloon baby that you can write messages on and more!
How To: Make sanity reducing creepy Cthulhu tentacles
Now you too can build your own prop of eldritch horror! Guaranteed to induce a SAN check in anyone who sees it, this tutorial shows you how to build a set of flexible Cthulhu tentacles out of one inch furniture foam, half inch furniture foam, steel wire, pantyhose, one inch PVC tubing, epoxy and a jar of latex.
How To: Twist two balloons into a T-Rex dinosaur
This guy teaches you how to make a T-rex out of two balloons. Pay close attention to how he makes the tail curve. He draws the face on with a sharpee and it looks great!
How To: Make fuse paper to light a rocket motor
Do you like drinking coffee? It may seem like this question has nothing to do with homemade rockets or fuse paper, but indeed coffee filters - which you should have in ample supply if you enjoy making your own cup of Joe - are the key ingredient in a kick ass construction of fuse paper.
How To: Make a solar-powered miniature car
Check out this science video to see how to make a solar-powered miniature car. To make this solar-powered mini car, you'll need some balsa wood, a small motor, two steel rods, four wheels, four washers, a straw of any color, two gears, a solar cell, hot glue gun, a tape measure and a knife.
How To: Fix a loose transmitter antenna on an RC vehicle
This instructional video demonstrates how to fix a transmitter antenna that won't tighten. To do this you will have to take apart your remote control radio. Luckily, this is not as difficult as it may seem.
How To: Do a cute easy hairstyle on your American Girl Doll
In this video, we learn how to do a cute easy hairstyle on your American Girl Doll. To start, brush your doll's hair and then part the hair in the middle. After this, break the side of the hair into three pieces and then start to braid it from top to bottom. After this, repeat the same process on the other side. Tie the bottom with rubber bands and then you will be finished with this hair style! It looks really cut on a doll that has long hair with bangs, but can also work on short or layered...
How To: Install beadlocks in your RC tires
Installing beadlocks in your tires can help make sure that the wheel is secure and won't be going anywhere. There are many different types od beadlocks that can be purchased, but for this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to install one in an RC tire.
How To: Build a model DeLorean & train from Back to the Future
Who could forget the spectacular conclusion to the "Back to the Future" trilogy? The scene where Marty and Doc Brown use a train to push the DeLorean to 88 miles an hour so Marty can return to the 1980s has become iconic. With this tutorial, you can recreate the scene in miniature using fairly inexpensive props.
How To: Build a big hill bunker terrain for Warhammer 40K
If you want to be serious about playing Warhammer 40K, you're going to need to have a decent looking terrain. Playing with the miniature army on your bed or the living room floor lacks the realistic feel that a terrain can create. This video hobby tutorial shows how to build a big hill bunker terrain for the Warhammer 40K figures to hide out in and regroup between battles. Watch and get your army ready for war.
How To: Build an upside down bookcase
Follow these tips and learn to make an upside down bookcase. -Get all your games and books out, measure them to a piece of Velcro.
How To: Make a diorama
Dioramas are a fun way to illustrate all kinds of scenes, whether from nature, history, sports or entertainment. The possibilities are endless. Learn how to make a diorama in this free crafts video series.
News: DIY Video Chat Robot Lets You Be Two Places at Once
Want to keep an eye on your home while on vacation? Terrorize your family pet while at work? A homespun telepresence robot might be just the ticket! Luckily, thanks to shrinking hardware costs and the efforts of renowned hardware hacker Johnny Chung Lee, building a physical avatar has never been easier! Lee's robot has two important parts: an iRobot Create and a lightweight netbook running Skype. Notable extras include a wide-angle lens and a plastic stand to raise the computer to tabletop he...
How To: Make a Dotee Doll
Check out this video to learn how to make a Dotee Doll. This doll is named after a lady named--yes, Dotee!
How To: Build a semiautomatic Lego gun
Most Lego guns require you to feed ammo, or at least cock the gun, every time you shoot. Not so with this model. This video features step-by step instructions and a demonstration of how to build a semiautomatic Lego rubber band gun quickly and easily. Never lose a Lego rubber band gun war to your friends again with the increased firepower of this semi-auto Lego shooting machine.
How To: Make a Banner for a Lightweight RC Plane
I decided to make a quick banner for my RC plane. It was basically free, but you might need to get a few materials if you don't have them. My plane is a Hobbyzone Champ, which is a hardy but tiny plane, weighing only 1.3 ounces with the battery. My how-to is modeled after this, which is intended for the Super Cub. It is the bigger version of the Champ, weighing a total of 25.2 ounces, which is more than 18 times the weight of Champ. As you can see, I was faced with a problem. How was I going ...
How To: Make a simple balloon alligator
Ballooning is a great way to draw a crowd at carnivals, as a street performer, or at restaurants. In this video, learn how to make a simple balloon alligator - perfect to put a smile on a child's face! Your Balloon Man, Mr. Fudge, is full of balloon tricks! Be sure to find other balloon videos on WonderHowTo from Mr. Fudge teaching everything from animals to planes! In a few twists and a few ties, you'll be an expert balloon artist in no time!
News: Full-Sized Mechanical Skeeball Machine Built Entirely Out of K'Nex—And It Works!
If you played with K'Nex as a kid (or still do), you know that it can take a lot of those tiny little pieces to build something. Just imagine how many it must have taken to make this full-sized, fully functional, coin-operated skeeball machine with a mechanical score counter. Instructables user Shadowman39 (aka Kyle) spent an entire year building this masterpiece. It's the same size as the ones you see in arcades, and it's coin operated, too. But don't try to feed it your pennies, it knows th...
How To: Create a string figure Parachute / Tent
Did you play Cat's Cradle as a kid? Well, there's more to string figure art than just Cat's Cradle or Jacob's Ladder. This string art video demonstrates how to make a parachute / tent. Song: Miles Davis - So What.
How To: Do tricks on a fingerboard
Improve those fingerboard or tech deck skills by learning some new moves. This video tech deck tutorial shows how to perform a Shove It, Ollie, Nollie, Slide, Grind, Flip, and Ramp on the fingerboard. The right touch is all it takes to keep from wiping out. Start watching and start improving those tech deck skills.
How To: Make a mini jelly roll for a doll & dollhouse
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a mini jelly roll. First, take your baby syringe and add in clear caulk then add in red food coloring and mix together with a toothpick. Now take some white and red clay and lay them on top of each other, then roll them out and square out the ends. Now, roll them together and cut them into small wheels so they look like jelly rolls. Add some of the jelly you made to the jelly roll and you're finished! You can place these on mini plates you have made and ...
How To: Make Ruffles-style potato chips from polymer clay
Learn how to sculpt a miniature Ruffles-style potato chips out of polymer clay with this free video art lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for those with some familiarity of polymer clay sculpture, novice sculpters should be able to follow along given a little effort. For specifics, including step-by-step instructions, nd to get started making your own Ruffles-style chips, watch this sculpture tutorial.
How To: Make mini Jello for a dollhouse
This video shows you how to make a miniature Jell-O mold, for display in a dollhouse. In advance, you will need to make a Jell-O mold out of polymer clay. You will need to shape it into a conventional form for Jell-O molds.
How To: Build spinning airplane propellers with K'NEX
Trying to build an airplane out of K'NEX? Mike can show you how to make both propellers spin at the same time on the plane.