Need a Quick Simple, Cheap and Cool Craft

[mete]

My suggestion was based on what I did as a cub scout !! This was a long time ago --pre-knife hysteria ! Times have changed .

 

[PayetteRucker]

Ranger beads-a 5 inch strand of 550 chord and some black beads. You could do it in conjunction with a basic orienteering course. We used to do orienteering drills in Civil Air Patrol all the time, go into a large wooded area and set up completely random waypoints marked with a flag or a glow stick. use a laser rangefinder and a compass, and come up with directions in meters and degrees to finding them. Then mark off 100 meters and have them pace it counting how many steps it takes to get from point A to point B so they know how many steps it will roughly be between waypoints. then they can pace it off. Orienteering is a very basic but important skill that can be learned in an afternoon.

 

[PayetteRucker]

yea make some wabbit sticks! bring a stuffed bunny and place it near some shrubs and let them have at it.

Stuffed bunnies don't have the whole cranial fluid running out of the nose effect, though. The whole purpose is completely lost.

 

[Joezilla]

Use a ball and try to hit it while it rolls. That is what makes it fun!

If you want effect you can use watermelon (expensive?)

 

[Chinpo]

I found this site http://www.buzzle.com/articles/wood-craft-ideas.html. The birdhouse seems like a nice idea for a woodcrafting badge. Looks cheap, simple and safe to build (Although probably not as much fun as Joe's Rabbit sticks).

 

[dingobubba]

I know you said no knives, but for when they are older... peacepipes. We made them when I was in the scouts. Some were real ornate. Mine was functional! It was a fun project.

 

[nc527]

bout paracord bracelets? You can order the 3/8 inch buckles online 25 for 5 bucks, then black or od paracord for like 3.50 per 100 feet.

pm me for more info on where to get the paracord.

 

[mete]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/28/boy-scouts-new-video-game-award-sellout-say-critics/

Here's what I mean by 'things have changed' . Skill at video games is more important than outdoor skills ! They'd be much healthier if they spent more time outdoors .Stronger, leaner etc.

 

[SDS]

Mete, yes, things are MUCH different, but that news story isn't exactly accurate.

Without hijacking the thread here is a link to the requirements for that belt loop award:

http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/CubScouts/Awards/Boys/sanda/video_games.aspx

Like it or not, things are different........I have chosen to stress the outdoor activities but you have to keep the boys interest too. This is something they can earn at home with family. Knives are not "evil" per the BSA but to be honest the group (as a whole) of 7 yr olds I lead isn't ready to be turned loose with pocket knives. In a year or two they will be.

NC527, that paracord idea has my interest. Can you send me the link to get those clips please?

Thanks,
SDS

 

[cmdionne]

Dreamcatchers are pretty easy to make, I remember making one in scouts or summer camp or something.

Just cut some branches to use as the frame and then some jute or whatever for the lacing. I can't remember exactly how to do it, but I'm sure there's some instructions online.

Also brings a Native American (First Nation) cultural lesson into the mix as well.

Good luck.

 

[chopchop]

I think dream catchers, net making, cordage making, survival bracelets, or pretty much any kind of knot work would be a cheap, easy, cool project for scouts.

NC527, that paracord idea has my interest. Can you send me the link to get those clips please?

Not sure if these are the same clips, but I noticed Talfuchre has some for sale in the gadgets & gear forum: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=736611

 

[hillst1]

How about making a woggle? Either a turks head or another type using items from home improvement store.

 

[Liam Ryan]

Does it have to be a craft? I did knot tying with the scouts a couple of years ago in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and supplied them all with swiss army knives if they passed.

(That is a fellow instructor with a few helpful tips.)

It was cool because only one of about 10 kids was not allowed to have a knife, and he got as swiss army flashlight I got in a box set from felinevet.

 

[12345678910]

How simple , how long should it take?



I believe we did some super simple Tandy leather kit..
they have dreamcatchers, comb sheaths, flashlight holders, pouches...

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Kits/Kits.aspx

how about a woggle cut from sheet, hole punched, snap installed.
let them do as much as or as little as they can according to ability.
tooling, requires a hammer and some simple tooling punches from scrap steel or small pipe.

One craft i did at cub camp was a sort of a tabletop change/catchall box
-Wooden bases precut, presanded, preoil finished 3/4 thick, 4 x 6" or whatever
-nails put in a 1/2 inch intervals, sticking up to form pins, drinking straws aere cut to form a template that fit over the nail to set depth- cubs did with leader help.
-cubs did a simple weave with yarn, string, para cord...in out in out around the posts..
and it built up little walls.
Different colors allow creative individuality...


I like the turks head woggle idea


Gods eye - Odens eye
too simple ?..it's not at all useful, but then again that never stopped dream catchers either....
http://crafts.kaboose.com/gods-eyes.html
http://crafts.kaboose.com/swf/gods-eye-kaboose-craft-photo-350x255-fs-IMG_0904_rdax_65.jpg

I made one of these too
Coffee can drum
http://crafts.kaboose.com/coffee-can-drum.html
Only i used real leather and lacing, not yarn and felt.

Bleach bottle bird feeders

Plaster, or bondo casts of tracks
You may have to fake up some animal tracks
or do a CSI take and use tire tracks or shoe prints

christmas tree ornaments

We did macramé hangers...knot work
a water bottle sheath with hangers...
wasn't too quick though

clock kits ...mostly assembly of prefab stuff

Chain Mail

I know as a cub, this would really catch my attention.
small and simple keychain fob...
dollarstore pliers with the teeth ground smooth, or taped, or not...

buy precut rings
10$ for 500 rings, aluminum is really soft and easy to use
If they like it, they can make anything they want later
http://www.chainmailguy.com/rings&tools.htm
I know that this fellow is in Ontario and sometimes does free demos, especially if there are sales from it later.


weather vane

kite from paper, balsa, glue, string...

balsa wood paper, airplane flying models, Iloved this stuff.

rockets


whistle
http://www.countrylovers.co.uk/fun/whistle.htm

tie dye

wind chimes



rubberband boat
I made one of these, probably in the old cub scout book too.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4890376_puddle-paddle-boat.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQLm6JY0pt0

[youtube]oQLm6JY0pt0[/youtube]



rope ladder-emergency home fire escape ladder
with wooden steps - predrilled holes in pre cut 2x4 steps, essentially just putting some knots in the rope and threading the steps on.

 

[shaving sharp]

Get some BIG rubberbands,small piece of leather, and take them in the woods and find a tree branch they can make a slingshot out of.Like Dennis the Meance had.They could relate to that.