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Archive: Toys and Games
May 16, 2008
Phun physics program
Phun is a 2D "physics sandbox," a program created by a Swedish CompSci major as his Master of Science thesis. It's way cool; a great way for kids (of all ages) to learn physics concepts. It's available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
May 16, 2008 02:00 PM
Computers, Kids, Science, Toys and Games |
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The Ping Pong Door
Every office should have a Ping Pong door. Although productivity would go down by at least 80% once this door is installed. No word on price yet, but this should be a fairly easy project to remake for your home or office.
Read more about the Ping Pong Door
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
May 16, 2008 02:00 AM
Remake, Toys and Games |
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May 15, 2008
Building slot car scenery
How-to on building scenery for a slot car racing track.
HOW-TO: Creating Professional Slot Car Scenery [via]
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
May 15, 2008 02:00 PM
Toys and Games |
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May 7, 2008
Slot car cam
When I was a tween, I lived for slot-cars. Our small town outside of Richmond, VA had two slot car shops/tracks for a few years.
This video from Spain shows a race from fixed and car-mounted cameras. Really nice track too. And vroom-vroom sound effects.
Scalextric EXIN made in Spain [via]
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
May 7, 2008 02:00 PM
Toys and Games |
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May 1, 2008
Make Projects: DIY Blimp
Everyone likes toys that fly. Unfortunately, most R/C planes are hard to control for people without any experience. Why not make an easy to fly blimp? It's really quick to make, and many people have at least one of the R/C helicopters used in the build. Even if you had to buy (2) helicopters your cost would be less than $60. Best of all, it is completely non-destructive and can be reversed in a few seconds. So if you have kids, are a kid, or just act like a kid, give this a try. You will love it.
What you need:
(2) R/C Helicopters (similar to Airhogs)
(2) 24" long balsa dowels
A little tape
Binder clips or coins for ballast
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
May 1, 2008 02:00 AM
Kids, Toys and Games |
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April 30, 2008
Computerized Etch A Sketch @ Maker Faire
Never been able to realize your artistic vision on the old grey screen? Neil's project may be of help -
Anyone who has tried to use an Etch A Sketch knows that a good deal of co-ordination is needed in order to draw anything but horizontal and vertical lines. It quickly becomes obvious that a computer would be far better at controlling the horizontal and vertical knobs than a human.Come see the automated art at Bay Area Maker Faire - Computerized Etch A SketchAccordingly, I pulled the knobs off of an Etch A Sketch and attached it to two stepper motors which in turn are attached to the parallel port of a computer. This gives one the ability to control the plotter's movements with a standard mouse or analog joystick (more intuitive interfaces than the knobs). Having a computer in the loop also allows one to record what movements are done, so one can edit them and play them back.
Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset May 3rd and 4th at the San Mateo Fairgrounds, CA (Upcoming.org). It’s for creative, resourceful people of all ages and backgrounds who like to tinker and love to make things. Buy tickets now and save, discount ticket sales end on April 25th, 2008.
If you're in the Bay Area, or plan to attend Maker Faire add "makerfaire" to your Twitter, we'll be giving away tickets and will have updates before and during Maker Faire!
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Apr 30, 2008 04:00 AM
Computers, Toys and Games |
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| Comments (3)
April 25, 2008
Coin-op arcade mechanisms explained
Dug writes -
The Sands Mechanical Museum has a section of their site called "Mechanisms Explained" in which they have documented, photographed, animated, and described how a variety of arcade machine mechanisms work. A great references source.Neat little animations reveal the seldom seen inner-works, interesting stuff - Sands Mechanical Museum [via Dug's blog]
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Apr 25, 2008 02:00 PM
Toys and Games |
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April 24, 2008
DIY: RC Boat from scavenged parts
DIY: RC Boat from scavenged parts
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Apr 24, 2008 01:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Toys and Games |
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April 21, 2008
Goofy Giggles gets an upgrade
This project replaces the internal electronics of a "Goofy Giggles" toy with an external board in order to give the toy more processing power to enable it to respond to external stimuli. More info and a how-to at the link below.
A Brain Transplant for Goofy Giggles
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Apr 21, 2008 09:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Toys and Games |
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April 16, 2008
Ponoko 10 day challenge - puzzles
Nat @ CRAFT writes:
Ponoko has a new 10 Day Design Challenge -- this time on Puzzles! Create an intriguing and entertaining puzzle on a laser cutter within the next 10 days. Up to $5,000 in prizes are up for grabs! Photo above is by jared who created an edition of 100 puzzle kits. Find out more on the rules and how to enter at the Ponoko Blog.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Apr 16, 2008 07:00 PM
Arts, Computers, Crafts, Kits, Toys and Games |
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April 11, 2008
Make your own arcade-style game gun
This Instructables shows how one gamer built his own FPS gun for playing Halo 2 and Deus Ex on his big screen home entertainment system.
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Apr 11, 2008 05:00 PM
Gaming, Instructables, Toys and Games |
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Steam Wars figure mods
Action figure modder Silloff, who's work we've blogged about before, has an amazing collection of Star Wars figures re-envisioned within a steampunk universe.
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Apr 11, 2008 01:00 PM
Crafts, Retro, Toys and Games |
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April 10, 2008
Hello Kitty... power sander?
And with that, we've finally reached some sort of pod people (pod kitty?) singularity/assimilation situation in which every product in the known universe has been Hello Kitty branded.
The outrageous Hello Kitty Power Sander [via]
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Apr 10, 2008 08:00 PM
Toolbox, Toys and Games |
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April 8, 2008
Micro sized electronic speed controller
The BitESC is the smallest speed/motor controller I have come across. It is designed to work with the motors from those tiny R/C cars we all bought at least one of, but now never use. Well, here is you chance to make a really tiny R/C plane
The BitESC is a small electronic speed controller for those little RC cars like the MicroSizer / BitChar-G. It can be used in a small RC plane to have some control over the speed of the motor. The speed of the motor ramps up or down, depending on which of the buttons on the transmitter you press.
How to make a Micro sized electronic speed controller
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Apr 8, 2008 06:00 AM
DIY Projects, Flying, Toys and Games |
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| Comments (1)
DIY Micro steam car
This is a really cool project to make with your kids. There are instructions for making a car and even a modified paddleboat. I couldn't agree more about this statement from the website.
We live in a world dominated by machines. If something is not a machine, like a motor car, a refrigerator or a sewing machine, then it is something that is made and processed by a mechanical device, like the clothes we wear and the food we eat. Mechanical Science and Technology is thus important. Exposure to it, at school and at home, is vital for all young people as part of their education and the appreciation of the world around them.
Make your own - Micro steam car
Related:
How to make a steam powered moped
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Apr 8, 2008 03:00 AM
DIY Projects, Toys and Games |
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April 7, 2008
Nintendo DS controlling a printer carriage
Raul Aguaviva made this connection between his DS and printer to control its stepper motor. He updates the script over the DSs wireless connection. All it needs now is to be able to read PostScript, and you've got a wireless printer!
Posted by Becky Stern |
Apr 7, 2008 09:00 PM
Computers, DIY Projects, Gaming, Toys and Games, Wireless |
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April 5, 2008
Moov : Make your own ride
Why didn't they have this when I was a kid? Moov has to be one of the best, and imaginative, toys out there. I wonder how long it will be until some little kid comes up a few hacks for the Moov? Make sure to check out the Moov website, because the video isn't a very good representation of the product.
Via - Gizmondo - Moov : Make your own ride
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Apr 5, 2008 03:00 AM
DIY Projects, Toys and Games |
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| Comments (3)
April 4, 2008
Massive miniature painting guide
The gaming minifig painting site Cool Mini or Not has created what looks like an awesome 400-page e-book guide to sculpting, painting, converting, basing, and photographing miniatures. There's even a scenery section. I didn't buy and download the actual book, but the free sample section and TOC are impressive. The PDF is $9.95.
The Ultimate Miniature Painting Guide
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Apr 4, 2008 02:00 PM
Crafts, Gaming, Toys and Games |
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| Comments (0)
April 1, 2008
Bronze Boba Fett Pez dispenser
From Flickr:
I made this using the lost wax casting process with an organic burnout. The material is silicon bronze.The original sleeve for the Pez broke, so I cannibalized parts from another dispenser: Simba from the Lion King.
The hole in the body resulted from an incomplete casting of the thin part; probably could have had better sprue placement. I like the results, though. The replacement sleeve was modified for the "battle scar" effect, revealing the Pez.
Finishing was minimal, with a pretty standard bronze patina.
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Apr 1, 2008 03:00 PM
Crafts, Toys and Games |
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| Comments (1)
The Phantom Keystroker
The phantom Keystroker would be fairly easy to spot plugged into your computer, but the results would be fun to watch. Maybe a remake is in order, especially if you can make it smaller, and easier to conceal.
The Phantom Keystroker may look like a harmless circuit board, but it's actually a devious contraption of unlimited office-based torture. Simply discreetly attach the Phantom Keystroker to any extra USB port on your victim's computer, no drivers needed. The Keystroker emulates a keyboard and mouse and periodically makes random mouse movements and types out odd garbage text and phrases.
More about the Phantom Keystroker
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Apr 1, 2008 02:00 AM
Computers, Toys and Games |
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| Comments (1)
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The Best of Maker Faire 2008
Check out all the fun and excitement at this year's Maker Faire in San Mateo, California. People from all over the world came to experience this amazing event. Take a look at some of the highlights and make plans...
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