Hot Hobbies & Toys How-Tos
How To: Flat iron your American Girl doll's hair
In this video, we learn how to flat iron your American Girl doll's hair. First, heat up your flat iron on the lowest heat setting it has. Now, brush your doll's hair so it doesn't have any lumps or bumps in it. Clip the to of the hair up and then take a small section from the bottom of the head. Then, squirt some water on the hair until it's wet. Comb through the hair and then run the flat iron through the hair very quickly. Run it through again if needed, then continue on to other sections i...
How To: Make a paper mache Helm's Deep
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a paper mache Helm's Deep. You can make a pretty good one just using paper mache if you don't have the professional materials. Build it on a cardboard surface and then use cut outs from cereal boxes to make the structures and building features. The paper mache will go over the buildings, so you can make different types of structures. You can also use crumpled up news paper to make the terrain so it will maintain its shape. After you put the mache on, it ...
How To: Do twist braid pigtails on your American Girl doll
In this tutorial, we learn how to do twist braid pigtails on your American Girl doll. Start by brushing the hair out and combing it in the middle. Then, take a small section in the font and split that in half. Start twisting it towards her face and then twist them together away from her face twice. Then, pick up a piece from the bottom and twist it into the braid. Continue to add in hair from the bottom until you have all the hair inside the twist braid. When finished, tie off at the end and ...
How To: Do a cute hairstyle on an American Girl with layered hair
In this video, we learn how to do a cute hairstyle on an American Girl with layered hair. First, brush the hair back until it's smooth. Then, pull the front section of the hair back, going off from where the eyes end. Then, you will pull it up into a ponytail. After this, you will take a section from the side of the head on both sides. Then, you will bring these together in the back of the head and tie together with a ponytail holder. Now, take another section lower down on the had and repeat...
How To: Do wrapped pigtails on your American Girl doll
In this video, we learn how to do wrapped pigtails on your American Girl doll. First, separate the hair from side to side. Then, take a small section from the front of the hair and put it aside. After this, you will need to comb the hair back into a ponytail and secure with a rubber band. Secure the other side into a ponytail as well, but put all the hair back into it. After this, you will take the front from the other side and wrap it around the ponytail. Clip it into place and then you will...
How To: Do a cute downhair style on your American Girl doll
In this tutorial, we learn how to do a cute down hair style on your American Girl doll. First, you will need to braid two braids on the doll's hair on each side. Tie it off at the end with a small rubber band. Do five of these around the head, from the top of the hair to the tip of the bottom! Line these up on the top so it looks even and not random. When you're finished, you will have a cute look that only takes minutes to create. If you want, you can tie this into a ponytail for an up-do!
How To: Build your own stomp rocket out of household materials
In this video, we learn how to build your own stomp rocket out of household materials. Materials you will need are: plastic bottles, bicycle inner tube, 2 feet PVC pipe, duct tape, masking tape, and file folders or card stock. Now, take your PVC pipe and roll paper around it and tape it. Then, remove the paper from the pipe and tape it more so it's completely closed. Then, make your nose cone for the rocket. Place this and the wings onto the rocket in your choice of colors. Then, make the lau...
How To: Redo American Girl doll Mia's braid
In this tutorial, we learn how to redo American Girl doll, Mia's, braid. First, you will need to brush out the hair for the doll. After you do this, you will take a little section of the hair from the front and split it into three. Then, take another little section from underneath this and clip it away. From here, you will start to braid the hair, clipping off the sections underneath separately so they don't get mixed together. Then, you will take the rest of the hair and put it into a ponyta...
How To: Clean Your American Girl Dolls' Skin
In this tutorial, we learn how to clean your American Girl's dolls' skin. To start, you will need to clean the marks on the face off with a magic eraser or a mixture of baking soda and water. To defrizz the hair, you can cut off the frizz with sharp scissors. To wash the hair, make sure you don't get the base of the head wet, or this will ruin the doll completely. Straighten the braids by pulling the hair down straight. Use these tips to help keep your doll in the best shape and it will last ...
How To: Curl your American Girl doll's hair
In this video, we learn how to curl your American Girl doll's hair. What you will do is leave her hair in curlers for a couple of days and then take them out. To put her hair in curlers, you want to spray water on her hair so it's just damp. After this, you will section the hair off, them place the strands into small curlers. Do this all around the head until you have no strands left. When finished, leave her hair to dry for a couple of days. When you take the curlers out, your doll will have...
How To: Fix your American Girl doll's frizzy hair or split ends
In this video, we learn how to fix your American Girl doll's frizzy hair or split ends. If the ends are frizzy or split, there is a way to fix it. First, you will need to wash the doll's hair the night before and brush it out. After this, take some scissors and start to cut small sections of the hair that have frizz on them. After this, you will cut the bottom of the section to make sure it's completely evened up. To make it easier, you can go section by section until you have it right!
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: Do a Y braid on your American Girl doll
In this tutorial, we learn how to do a Y braid on your American Girl doll. First, brush your doll's hair out and then put the hair in pig tails. From here, you will split the tail in half on both sides. Then, you will combine the two middle pieces and start to braid the hair like normal. Do this all the way down until you reach the bottom of the hair. When finished, tie the end with a rubber band to keep in place. This will finish the Y braid look for your American Girl doll, enjoy! Decorate ...
How To: Do the triple nifty knots hairstyle on your AG doll
In this video, we learn how to do the triple nifty knots hairstyle on your AG doll. First, comb the doll's hair back and then take the hair from the crown of the head. Put this into a ponytail and then secure with a rubber band. After this, section the tail off into two parts and twist them individually. Then, bring these around each other and create a bun at the top of the doll's head. Secure this with a rubber band. Do this with two other sections of the hair on the left and the right. When...
How To: Build a simple mouse trap car
In this tutorial, we learn how to build a simple mouse trap car. To do this, you will need: a ruler, two records, a thin metal rod, and a mousetrap. First, you will lay the ruler down to measure out where you are going to place the records. Next, you will hold these into place by using the metal rod in between the two of them. If it's not secure, use washers and glue to keep it in the proper place. Then, attach the mousetrap to the middle of the rod in between the records. This is it! Now you...
How To: Make a LEGO replica of the Lancer chainsaw / machine gun from Gears of War
The Lancer chainsaw / machine gun from Gears of War is the weapon that first sold that game, Cliff Bleszinski's twisted brainchild that made the multiplayer so much fun. If you like LEGO and Gears of War, watch this video to learn how to make a replica of the Lancer out of LEGO for your minifigure to dismember each other with.
How To: Make a chainsaw for a LEGO minifigure
If you've been working on a LEGO battle scene and need a gnarly chainsaw to complete the esthetic, watch this video. It will teach you how to make in improbably large but really cool custom chainsaw out of spare LEGO bricks.
How To: Make a chain gun for a LEGO minifigure
Outfitting your LEGO minifigures for battle is one one of the best parts of playing with them, and tiny LEGO parts offer nearly unlimited options for weapon construction. Watch this video to learn how to build a Star Wars chain gun for a Stormtrooper or plucky Rebel Guard
How To: Build a custom LEGO General Grievous Magna Guard from Star Wars
General Grievous was by far the coolest new character introduced in Star Wars Episodes I- III. If you enjoy LEGO and Star Wars, watch this video to learn how to build an awesome custom General Grievous Magna Guard bodyguard out of LEGOs.
How To: Make a remote controlled engine boat from useless junk parts
Have you ever tried making your own remote-controlled water boat, but were missing all the key parts? Well, now you don't need to worry about expensive ingredients, because this video will show you how to make an RC engine boat with useless junk. You just might have some old used crap lying around, collecting dust, so why not put it to use making this awesome toy? You'll need some basic used parts, a plane toy and power supply fans.
How To: Build a simple solar rope-shimmying robot spy toy
If you want to become a great robotics engineer, then you need to start out small, and this robot is a great first-time project. It's the simplest kind of robot, with only one motor and a gear box, but it moves really interesting, capable of shimmying across a rope. You can send this rope-shimmying robot tospy on your neighbors for you (when you're too lazy to do it yourself). See how it's done!
How To: Build a coreless punch shield for boffer combat
Construct your own shield for use in boffer combat! This tutorial shows you how to construct your own large punch shield out of several layers of blue camp foam, a length of PVC for the handle, a measuring tape and some DAP adhesive.
How To: Construct your own set of plastic armor for medieval reenactment
Medieval knights did not have access to plastic, but modern reenactors certainly do! This tutorial shows you how to take a food-grade plastic barrel (at least a quarter inch thick) and turn it into a set of medieval style armor!
How To: Make a short sword with a safe stabbing tip for boffer larping
This tutorial shows you how to make a very safe short sword with a stabbing tip that will pass safety inspection for most games. You'll need filament tape, cloth tape, glues and adhesives, a fiberglass or graphite core and foam coating.
How To: Make a safe boffer arrow out of foam
Add to your boffer larp arsenal with these foam arrows! This tutorial shows you how to make a modular boffer arrow out of three different kinds of foam, a cloth cover, arrowhead shafts, scissors, duct tape and your favorite kind of spray adhesive.
How To: Build a stabbing tip for your boffer LARP sword
Most boffer LARPs insist that you add a safe 'stabbing tip' at the end of your foam sword or dagger. This tutorial shows you how you can make a safe stabbing tip using kevlar and foam, which you add to the core of your sword.
How To: Construct your own replica of a keyblade out of craft foam
If you're looking for how to make the perfect cosplay prop, this tutorial is for you! You can construct your own replica keyblade! You'll need some heavy craft foam to sketch out the keyblade design, and then a sharp craft knife to cut it out. Then cover it and paint!
How To: Make Lal Mirch's goggles from Katekyo Hitman Reborn for cosplay
It's not a real Lal Mirch cosplay costume without the goggles! This tutorial shows you how to make the goggles from one of Katekyo Hitman Reborn characters from cardboard, posterboard and some craft foam. You'll also need some glue, a marking tool, scissors, a utility knife, goggles, headphones, tape and some paint.
How To: Make a thin core boffer sword out of latex
An online class on how to build your own boffer sword! Every combat group is different, so make sure this sword is safe by the rules of your boffer larp. This method goes beyond the simple foam and PVC method and teaches you how to use latex to make an awesome looking sword.
How To: Make a sword for use when fighting in the Society for Creative Anachronism
This tutorial shows you how to make a sword according to the rules of the Society for Creative Anachronism. You'll need to choose the right kind of stick, two different colors of duct tape, camp foam for the thrusting tip and some leather to accessorize.
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: Make a prop sword out of an aluminum bar
This will still hurt if you swing too hard! If you need a realistic looking prop sword, you can follow along with this tutorial to make the prop out of an aluminum bar. You'll need a couple power tools as well, so be careful around them!
How To: Make a quiver full of larp safe foam tipped arrows
This tutorial is a great guide on how you can make a set of safe, foam-tipped arrows. You'll need to start with some hobby arrows, metal washers, wall anchors, a small NERF football, a hot glue gun, glue sticks, measuring tape and a foam golf ball or blue camping foam.
How To: Make an easy and eco-friendly spell packet for a larp mage
This tutorial shows you how to make spell packets. It's designed for NERO, but many larps use the same rules. All you need is a square of natural fiber cloth (like cotton), some birdseed (or rice or crushed walnut shells or any biodegradable matter) and a rubber band.
How To: Make a mold for a Cthulhu cameo out of silicone
Make a charm that will show off your Mythos Lore! This tutorial shows you how to make a silicone mold for a Cthulhu cameo. All you need is some silicone putty and a good idea for the charm or cameo you want to make.
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: Make your own copy of the Necronomicon
If you're a fan of either H.P. Lovecract or Sam Raimi, you'll appreciate this tutorial which shows you how to construct your own prop copy of the Necronomicon, the Book of the Dead which features quite prominently in stories of eldritch horror.
How To: Make armor out or Sintra and Rub'n'Buff
Make your own armor with a weathered look out of Sintra (or expanded PVC foam). You'll need a heat gun, a padded cushion, paper towels, rub'n'buff in silver leaf, a knife, a marking pencil, water and a can of spray primer. Trace your piece onto the Sintra, then use the heat gun to shape it. Useful for costumes, Halloween or larps.
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: Make a Chinese-style boffer jian sword
Playing an Asian-style character for your next boffer larp? If you're looking for a good way to make a jian, or Chinese boffer sword, this is the right tutorial for you! It lays out all the steps, including preplanning, to get precisely the jian you want.