Hot Hobbies & Toys How-Tos « Hobbies & Toys

How To: Install traction bands onto Power Wheels tires

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: Make a Lego block launching gun

There are a lot of ways to make a gun out of Legos. Some have triggers, some don't. Some fire blocks, some rubber bands, but almost all use rubber band in the firing mechanism. This video is a demonstration of building one such gun. This one uses a rubber band to launch Lego blocks. It is relatively simple and very effective.

How To: Turn a 5MW laser into a 100MW laser

Tired of that dinky little 5MW laser? Turn the power up and convert your 5MW laser into a 100MW laser? A small amount of modification can produce a significantly stronger light coming out of your laser. You will need a small screwdriver (such as a jeweler's screwdriver), needle nose pliers, a soldering iron and some bonding glue to do this properly. This video tutorial will show you exactly how to turn your 5MW laser into a 100MW laser.

How To: Make a voodoo doll out of almost anything

Do you have frustrations to take out that can only be helped with magic? If you are in need of the power of a voodoo doll but don't know how to obtain one, check out this helpful tutorial from Planet Voodoo.

How To: Use basic building techniques

Papa Tom teaches viewers the basics for building realistic miniature buildings using Scene-A-Rama Building and Structures Kit. This is great for school or art projects.

How To: Build a looping rolling marble machine with magnetic elevator

Wow! No longer do you have to buy those huge marble machine roller coaster toys — you can DIY one! This video covers the materials, tools and techniques used to make a homemade rolling ball marble machine. If you haven't seen this rolling ball marble machine toy in action yet, WATCH IT. It's a looping rolling marble machine made with wood, rebar tie wire and polyurethane tubing, featuring a magnetic elevator.

How To: Install a coin into the comparitor of a slot machine

If you're having slot problems in your casino, you're going to have to do some troubleshooting. Knowing all there is to know about slots is important for any casino or slot machine owner. This video will show you the trick to installing a coin into a coin comparator. One thing to remember, is that if there is no coin inside the comparitor, the machine will not work. And no matter what coin kind you have in the hopper, whether quarter, nickel, token, etc., it has to be the same coin inside the...

How To: Assemble a store bought diamond kite

Here is a instructional how to video walk through for assembling a kite. This demonstrations is quite useful if you store bought kite did not come with instructions or if you lost them.

How To: Change the Batteries in a Nerf Vulcan EBF-25 Blaster

Bottoms up Turn the Nerf Vulcan EBF-25 so the bottom side is facing up.

How To: Remove Power Wheels brakes for coasting down the road

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: Make a bridle and fly-line for your kite

You can't fly a kite without a bridle and fly-line, so let this instructional how to video show you the ABC's of kiting. For this project you will need: garbage bag, wooden dowels, cloth tape, ribbon, scissors, magic marker, yard stick, and a pencil. Have fun creating your kite with an adult helper.

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: Make a larp shield out of foam and cardboard

This tutorial shows you how to make a fun boffer shield out of foam and cardboard. You'll need four pieces of corrugated cardboard cut into 18 inch diameter circles, a craft razor, spray adhesive and paint.

How To: Roll clay without a pasta machine

In this tutorial, we learn how to roll clay without a pasta machine. First, warm up the clay in your hands and put them between two flat sticks. Next, use a glass bottle or cup to roll out the clay. Make sure the bottle is on the paint sticks as you are rolling. This will leave your piece of clay thick but flattened out. You can make this as thick or as thin as you would like to be. You can do this several times and use different types of sticks or side holders to change how the clay looks, e...

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: Gather tools for building miniatures

Here are some of necessary the tools for hobby crafting and diorama making. This model maker uses wood rasps, sanding pencils, wire cutters, small pliers, a box cutter, a wood carving knife, and a Japanese pull saw. When building miniatures you may find yourself making your own tools or finding useful sculpting aids around the house. Occasionally, a wood burning gun can help you achieve detail for tiny window shutters and other fine work.

How To: Make a realistic looking landscape diorama

Watch this video series to learn how to make the base shell, terrain, trees, bushes, tufts of grass, and cast plaster rocks for a fantasy landscape diorama.

How To: Clean coins and make them shine like new

Is your money looking a little dirty? With this video tutorial you can clean your act right up. Find out how to clean coins and make them shine like new in under 5 minutes. Clean coins and make them shine like new.

How To: Make a Balloon-Powered Paper Plate Racer

With a little spare time and and a few items you can find around the house, you can make your own balloon-powered paper car. This is a great and easy DIY project that's perfect for competitive kids. All you'll need to get started is:

How To: Make your own Brown Jenkin from H.P. Lovecraft's stories

This tutorial shows you how you can make a stop motion puppet modeled after Brown Jenkin, the eldritch horror that features in in the Cthulhu Mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. Brown Jenkin is a rat familiar with a human face, and this video shows you how to pull off this incredily creepy character.

How To: Make a mini-honey jar with real honey for a dollhouse

Making a dollhouse is fun especially when you do it with your little one. It can be a great time to bond with your daughter on a deeper level! When making a kitchen, one thing that you can put up on the shelf is a jar of honey. In this video you will get a quick tutorial on how to create your own with real honey!

How To: Apply a neck ring and plug on a reborn baby doll

In this tutorial, we learn how to apply a neck ring and plug on a reborn baby doll. First, attack the neck ring to the doll head by pulling the vinyl onto the lip using your fingers. You will need to use your hands to push the inside of the neck through the ring. This will take a lot of pushing and pulling. After this, you will need to attach your plug. First, place it into the neck of the head to make sure it fits. After this, stuff it with cotton and then push it back in. Now you will be ab...

How To: Paint a flesh color for chaos marauder miniatures

Warhammer is a fantastic fantasy miniature war game that pits your army against your opponents army in bloody combat. When you buy the figurines for the first time, they will be unpainted, which leaves it up to you, the player, to give your own unique custom paint job to your figures! If you're just getting started, the first type of color that's the hardest is the flesh color. In this video series you will learn how to paint a basic white skin type onto Chaos Marauders.

How To: Make a 2 balloon simple snake

Balloon art is a great way to lure a crowd at county fairs, restaurants or events. In this video, learn how to make a simple, 2-balloon, snake that is quick and easy to make!

How To: Make a self-moving tractor from a spool of thread

Learn how to make a ‘Spool Tractor’ using common household items, as demonstrated in this video. You would need the following items to make it:

How To: Waterproof a remote-control car

So you want to waterproof an RC vehicle, eh? I like the way you think. In this four-part video, you'll learn everything you'll need to know to transform your remote-control car into a submarine car. The first video in the series demonstrates how to waterproof a servo, the next how to waterproof a speed controller and the third demonstrates how to waterproof your receiver. The fourth, and final, clip from the series demonstrates a waterproof RC car in action.

How To: Disassemble a can for its parts

Aluminum cans are useful for various DIY projects, but they can be tricky to take apart. In this video you'll learn how to easily disassemble cans.

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: Make a yo-yo sleep

Learn how to throw a sleeper, otherwise known as making a yo-yo go to sleep. It's the most basic trick, and the one that all other tricks are based on!

How To: Make an RC snow plow truck

This video details how to construct a front plow for an rc snow plow truck. Using basic materials found at any hardware or hobby stores, you can make a servo lift plow. The video shows the proper way to attach and assemble it to a preexisting rc truck.

How To: Whistle loudly using your teeth

Never doubt the volume of your whistle again. This video shows you how to whistle loudly using your teeth. You'll learn proper position of your mouth and tongue to be able to make the loudest sound possible. With lots of practice you'll be the only one heard at the local games as you cheer on your favorite team or player. Watch this to get all you need to know to achieve that super loud whistle you've always desired, on the field or indoors.

How To: Add headlights and a horn to a Power Wheels vehicle

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: 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: Make bubbles for a miniature bathtub

In order to make bubbles for a miniature bathtub, you will need Amazing Casting Resin, Triple Thick, micro marbles/decorative beads, a dollhouse tub, and a miniature rubber ducky. You can purchase it in hobby stores: e.g. Hobby Lobby. Open it. Mix it well, according to the package. Poor it into the dollhouse tub. Allow the resin to set. It takes about 1 minute.

How To: Double your Jeep Power Wheels power and speed

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: Repair broken gearboxes in Power Wheels toy vehicles

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: Make a cheap DIY laser vortex for fog machines and lightshows

A laser vortex is a basically a tool and allows you to make a circle of red laser light quickly and easily for creating lightshows, especially useful when combined with a fog machine. This video will teach you how to make one for cheap out of parts your can find at any hardware store.

How To: Build a bolt action gun out of Legos

Most Lego guns use a simple rubber band action, which don't resemble the action on any real weapons other than a crossbow maybe. This video tutorial on making a gun out of Legos stands out from the pack because it features a bolt action, the same type used on rifles since the Civil War. This gives this lego weapon a more professional flair.

How To: Make a simple balloon cat

Learn how to make a simple balloon cat in a few twists of a balloon in this free ballooning tutorial. For cat lovers and children of all ages - This balloon creation is sure to please. 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 quick and easy balloon airplane

Are you an aspiring clown? Or maybe an aspiring magician? Or just simply want to entertain the neighborhood kids? This video will shows you how to make a balloon airplane with a driver in the cockpit and all. A perfect alternative to those typical balloon characters you get at every party. Now, you too can make balloon plane. Make a quick and easy balloon airplane.