by Paisley Parmer

Created on: October 22, 2009   Last Updated: October 23, 2009

Crafts are usually considered to consist of crepe paper, craft sticks and lots of glitter and not very appealing to the average young boy. The following crafts, time tested and designed with boys in mind, offering up fun and skill enhancement that any Boy Scout would be proud to complete.

Paper Creations:

With the step by step instructions provided in The Dangerous Book for Boys you start off making a Hat, then a boat and finally a water bomb all with a piece of paper. After learning a few simple folding techniques, the Boy Scouts will have the skill to turn a boring afternoon into one full of imagination.

Marbling Paper:

Once again, The Dangerous Book for Boys provides a cheap and easy craft for Boy Scouts that requires only a few simple materials.

A small paintbrush or feather to swirl the ink A baking tray Marbling Ink Think paper, such as finger-paint paper

The result of this craft will leave the boys with a beautifully marbled piece of paper that they can turn into a greeting card, book cover, wrapping paper or possible use in the binding of their very own nature journal.

Periscope:

More complex than the first two crafts, this one requires adult supervision but is sure to be a favorite among the Boy Scouts. The Dangerous Book for Boys give step by step instructions using plywood, duct tape, mirrors and necessary tools for assembling along with excellent explanations on how a periscope works. This craft would even be great for those wishing to have Boy Scouts tackle the projects in teams.

Kites:

Flying kites has been a favorite pastime for children for ages though you rarely see them with handmade versions these days. Imagine the pride a Boy Scout will take in seeing their handmade kite flying high in the sky. The Original Boy's Handy Book provides within its pages over a dozen kite models for boys to create including war kites.

Homemade Fishing Tackle:

Boys love to go fishing and what better skill for a Boy Scout to learn than how to make their very own rod, reel and nets to fish with. The Original Boy's Handy Book will take the boys through the simple process leaving them with the result of working fishing tackle that they can really use.

Homemade Boats:

For those wishing to put their skill and that of their Boy Scouts to the test, take your hand at creating a boat from detailed directions given in The Original Boy's Handy Book. The boys will have a choice between a raft, scow, float boat or a rowboat. The pack could even work on creating all four as a yearlong project working their way up in difficulty.

References:

"The Dangerous Book for Boys;" Gonn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden; 2006

"The Original Boy's Handy Book;" Daniel Carter Beard; 1880

Resources:

The Dangerous Book for Boys

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