Hot Hobbies & Toys Posts
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: Build your own Japanese katana out of foam
If you're looking to play a samurai or other Japanese inspired character at your next boffer larp, this tutorial is for you. You're shown how to build a foam katana using duct tape, a razor blade, measuring tape, cloth athletic tape, DAP contact cement, liquid craft latex, fabric to cover your blade, rope, fiberglass core, and of course, foam!
How To: Repair any damages to your flying model airplane
When you're flying your model airplanes, it's inevitable that it will eventually suffer some minor damages, like scuffs, breaks and bends. This video tutorial will help you alleviate and repair any damages to your flying model airplane to get you back in the skies again.
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: Build a motorized gyrocar with a gyroscope and everyday household objects
Build your own miniature gryocar from a toy gyroscope in this fun little project with Kipkay and make it ride on skinny tracks! All you need is a toy gyroscope, a spraypaint canister top to fit the gyroscope assembly, and some assorted parts that you could probably find around the house (or at your local hardware store). Ask your parents for permission first!
How To: Turn a paper clip into a jumping toy
Forget school boredom again… a mere paper clip will keep you entertained in study hall, all the time! This video will show you how to make a cool little jumping toy with a paperclip of any size. It's shaped like a triangle and jumps pretty far!
How To: Insert eyes from the back of a reborn baby doll
In this tutorial, we learn how to insert eyes from the back of a Reborn baby doll. To do this, you will need: a cutting knife, glues, and the correct type of eyes for your baby doll. Start off by cutting the vinyl on the back of the head, using your thumb to push the socket back into the head. After this, cut the bottom half just enough to push the eye through the socket. Insert the eyes into the cuts that you made, letting it sit flush to the vinyl. Look at the front of the doll to make sure...
How To: Make popsicle stick fences
If you've got a tiny farm, you're going to need some tiny fences. Don't shell out your whole allowance for a fancy store bought fence set. Instead make your own fences out of popsicle sticks. This video tutorial demonstrates how to create stalls and stables so your miniature farm animals won't escape.
How To: Make an easy switch blade knife
This is an easy to follow step by step video explaining how to make a switch blade out of easy to find objects. This is not a real knife but still has the function of a switchblade.
How To: Construct a Korean fighter kite with your kids
This creative kite is perfect for high flying! Watch this instructional how to video to learn how to build an intermediate level Korean kite. For this project you will need: rip-stop nylon, bamboo sticks, cloth tape, double stick step, scissors, magic marker, yard stick, toothpick, string and fuzzy string. Have fun creating your kite with an adult helper.
How To: Build Lego guns
Watch this how to video to learn to build 5 Lego guns. This tutorial will show you all of the bricks you need then how to put them together.
How To: NASA Engineer Shows You How to Build a Mini Curiosity Mars Rover Out of LEGOs
You might have seen our post on this last week: It's a working reproduction of the Mars Curiosity Rover made with LEGOs, but it's a bit complicated for anyone without a decent amount of robotics knowledge. Plus, you need to have some Mindstorms NXT and TECHNIC parts lying around. If you want something a little simpler than programming a working LEGO rover, you could always build a scaled model of the MSL out of regular LEGOs. Not only is this easy to build and looks great, but the step-by-ste...
How To: Inflate a flat ball without a needle or pump
Well, you're all ready to play basketball, or dodgeball or football or kickball, but, your ball is flat. To make matters worse, you don't have a pump. To make matters even worse, you don't have the needle you'd normally use to inflate your flat ball. Well, this how to video shows you a simple life hack to get your balls up and bouncing again in no time. What you'll need is a can of compressed air, commonly used for cleaning keyboards, or other tech equipment. These cans come with plastic 'tub...
How To: Use foam to make diorama terrain
In this tutorial, we learn how to use foam to make diorama terrain. Foam will make a realistic diorama because it comes in so many different shapes and sizes. You can buy this from hobby shops and even online. To put these together, you will simply use some wood glue. You can easily cut this with a sharp knife, scissors, and anything else that is sharp! You can use a hot wire cutting tool to mold and sculpt the foam as well. You can also use a hot glue gun to connect the pieces of foam togeth...
How To: Construct a basic boffer longsword using a foam noodle
This tutorial shows you a very basic method to create an effective boffer sword using PVC pipe, a foam noodle, duct tape and some open-cell foam for a stabbing-safe tip. You're also shown a good method for constructing the hilt. This is a great tutorial for anyone looking to make a foam sword for their favorite boffer larp!
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...
How To: Build a couch with Legos
What's a house model if you don't have a couch in the living room, right? Where would the minifigures sit to watch TV? Can't be on the floor! In this video you will get a quick glimpse of the different bricks that you will need to complete the model as well as a detailed tutorial on the construction process all the way into a finished couch!
How To: Make a Starbucks Coffee cup from polymer clay
These days, with such an intense demand for everyone to be on the go, up, productive, and "happy," it's no wonder we supplement our tired souls with a cup of coffee every morning. In fact, we know of some friends who simply don't function without that first cup...or two.
How To: Make a Nerf crossbow out of household materials
Do you find that ordinary Nerf guns lack power, DIY flair, and intimidating looks? This video can take care of that. It provides instructions for making a sort of Nerf crossbow out of common household materials. It shoots like the dickens, and looks like it could kill a vampire. Very cool.
How To: Make a simple monkey balloon
Crowd entertainers, hone your ballooning skills with help from this video! Learn how to make a simple balloon monkey a crowd will go ape over out of a standard 260 twisting balloon! 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!
How To: Make a three balloon turtle
Make a three balloon turtle with help from this free ballooning tutorial! You can add more balloons to our animal to make them more interesting and detailed. Get tips and trick on how to perfect the balloon turtle from one ballooning expert! 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!
How To: Make a silicone ring mould
In order to make a Silicone Ring Mold you should first get a small plastic container. This will be your mold box. First, you should cut the bottom out of the container. Next, use double sided tape to stick the ring down to the base of this. Next, secure the mold walls to the base. Now, mix the silicone mix in a separate mixing cup. Make sure you mix this thoroughly until the color is uniform. Now pour the silicone into the mold in a fine stream on the side of the ring, this will help prevent ...
How To: Make shingles for a Tudor style roof on a dollhouse
There are many different styles of dollhouses out there, and they are all beautiful. In this tutorial, learn how to make shingles and put the finishing touches on a Tudor style house. There is a great sense of accomplishment when you make one of these classic toys from scratch. This video will take you step by step through the shingles, and you will have a fantastic toy or collectible in no time.
How To: Make a Lego sword
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a LEGO sword. LEGO consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts. This video is very short and only lasts for 35 seconds. It is very basic and easy to follow. This LEGO construction is very simple, fast and easy to do. There are only 3 pieces required to make the LEGO sword. It does not matter what color the pieces are. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy pl...
How To: Pan for gold in ancient riverbeds and high benches
There's still a ton of gold to be had out there, you just need to know how to find it. There a certain spots to look for, like ancient riverbeds and high benches. This video will show you where and how to pan for gold in ancient riverbeds and high benches. Learn how to find them and what to look for.
How To: Remove and install tires on a remote controlled car
If you call yourself a hobbyist or a kid at heart, you know that remote-controlled vehicles are more than just fun. If you're a serious R/C man, you'll know all about doing everything to your model truck or car, like fixing wheels, vamping the pinion gears, waterproofing, troubleshooting, electronic diagnostics, setting up, programming and finally... racing. As much as you know about these remote-controlled vehicles, it will never be enough, you'll always be looking for more...
How To: Use fiberglass finish over balsa wood for RC airplanes
Check out this five-part video tutorial on how to use fiberglass finish over balsa wood for RC airplanes. If you like building engines and bodies for remote-controlled vehicles (airplanes), then this will definitely help you out, just by learning how to apply simple fiberglass to the balsa wood parts of the RC airplane body. You will learn all of the tricks needed for fiberglassing.
How To: Build a K'NEX semi-automatic gun
K'NEX is the world's most famous constructive toy, which means you can build just about anything. You can take the K'NEX plastic pieces and build all kinds of contraptions, everything from boats to airplanes to robots to weapons.
How To: Add battery power to a Power Wheels Jeep
So, your children have the same old boring Fisher-Price Power Wheels that all the other kids on the block have. Do you really want your child to be like all of the rest? No, I didn't think so. Turn those miniature Power Wheels, Dumar or Peg Perego vehicles into a little bit of realism, if you can handle it. All it takes is a little modification and you'll be wishing you were five again. With a few simple hacks, your son and daughter will be burning rubber, jumping curbs and burying those othe...
How To: Weather a model train diesel engine
Those shiny new model train cars might not fit in with the elaborate and realistic look of a model train layout. They're easily weathered to look like they've aged from years of work. Watch this hobby how to video and learn how to create a vintage look on a model train diesel engine.
How To: Solder brass tubing on a remote control vehicle
RC Car Action Magazine Editor Kevin Hetmanski shows how to properly solder brass tubing to make custom bumpers, chasis, roll cages and more. Once you know how to do this, you can do any sort of custom building. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to solder brass tubing on an RC vehicle.
How To: Easily install and remove body clips on an RC vehicle
RC Car Action Magazine Editor Matt Higgins gives us a tip about body clips. Body clips can be difficult to grab. Watch this video tutorial and learn a trick for how to easily install and remove body clips.
How To: Sculpt a balloon animal mouse
Watch this video to learn how to make a balloon mouse. This tutorial will show you the steps to making this design. This is a great animal balloon for beginners. The mouse balloon is based off the dog.
How To: Build a log cabin diorama
Build a log home diorama. Papa Tom shows viewers how to build a log cabin home for a diorama using the Building and Structures Kit. Simple and easy to make a realistic miniature log cabin.
How To: Make junk into cool stuff
Tami A. Walker shows you how to make fun and wild creations, just from junk!
How To: Make a diorama waterfall
If your son or daughter is planning on making a diorama for a classroom project or just because, making a cool water feature can be a great idea. Using real water may be fine and all, but if you want to prevent any kind of mess from happening, you can build one using materials that give a water like feel. So in this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to make a diorama waterfall from scratch. It's great for dioramas and is sure to be a much better fit than actual water. So good luck and enjoy!
How To: Make a Japanese Rokkaku kite with your kids
This instructional how to video will show you how to build a traditional Japanese bowed kite that's simple to make and has great soaring ability. Just watch and learn to make a battle kite. For this project you will need: rip-stop nylon, wooden dowels, cloth tape, double stick tape, scissors, string, toothpicks, yard stick, pencil, paper. Have fun creating your kite with an adult helper.
News: LEGO Robot Plays 'Little Talks' by Of Monsters & Men on Guitar
Remember back in 2011–2012 when "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men was the bumping new single being played everywhere? Well, thanks to this robot created from a LEGO Mindstorm EV3 kit, and an acoustic guitar, you get to get the iconic "hey!" stuck in your head for the rest of 2017. You're welcome.
How To: Make water effects for a diorama
If you are planning on making a diorama for a school project or anything else, using real like effects can be a big boost. Water effects can have a great looking effect, but using actual water can be messy and won't get the job done.
How To: Create a simple balloon air plane for beginners
If you're just getting into balloon twisting but are looking for something a little more advanced then say, a flower, then check out this awesome video! In it you will get a step-by-step beginners guide on how to create a simple air plane that will impress anyone!