Humpty Dumpty Derby

Titled on THIS BLOG by a mom named Heidi (click here to learn more) as The most fun ever at a Pinewood Derby! 

"The entire goal of the evening was to break as many eggs as possible, and over the course of the runs down the track, bumpers were removed and track sections dropped to encourage just that.  There were no weight requirements for the cars, and the kids were able to be as creative as they wanted with the egg conveyance device."

Expense:      No need to hire or rent an expensive track.  Total  budget cutter for a total blast!
Time:            It's about fun and creativity, rather than speed.  No    weigh-in time.  No rule regulation check.  Only one run per car means a quicker derby.
Fun Factor:  No hurt feelings.  No "unfair".  No super-competitive. No one cares if the boy did it or the dad.  All that's left is fun, ooh's, and laughter as the raw eggs free fall to the tarp at ground level!!

Raingutter Noodle Boats

NOODLE BOATS

Made from a pool noodle, shiskabob skewers, and parchment paper. 

Decorate THAT!

(Thank you, Yvonne Russell from Orem)

Cubanapolis

A Cubanapolis is such a fun pack activity for the whole family. It can be done any time of the year, because it can be done indoors or outdoors. (For instructions, click the highlighted "Cubanapolis" above.) The boys (with their family ... not necessarily strictly done by the boy, as with the Pinewood Derby) create a vehicle from a box, paint it, then race wearing it, while their families act as their pit crews and their cheerleaders. Watching the race is, itself, a hoot!

Easy Car Derby Slide

Go to AkelasCouncil.blogspot.com for instructions to this easy neckerchief slide that your cubs can make themselves.  Other neckerchief slide instructions available at the same blogspot, as well.

30 Beautiful Trophy Stands for $50

In "This Old House"-style, Grove Rasmusson (Cubmaster) teaches us and shows us exactly how he makes 30 impressive Pinewood Derby trophies, each costing just over $1.50, depending on your available resources. In his own words:

     "Each year I make the awards for the Pinewood derby. The top piece is 5"x 1-1/4". The Middle piece is 5-3/4" high and the Bottom piece is 8" long. The whole thing costs about $50 depending on what you have around the house. 15 minutes long? I know, but I was pretty thorough! :)" Yes, the video is 15 minutes long, and it certainly is thorough. It makes it easy to craft a trophy worthy of displaying the cubs hard work for a lifetime. Click on the Cubmaster's name in the first paragraph to watch this video.

If you involve your den in making these, it can pass off:
Wolf 5 TOOLS FOR FIXING AND BUILDING
Bear 21 BUILD A MODEL  b. build a display for one of your models.
Webelos CRAFTSMAN  (technology) 1. Safe handling of tools. 2. Construct 2 different wooden objects. 3. Make a display stand to be used to display a model.

Rainy Day Pack Blast!

Balloon Rocket Derby

A space derby on a smaller budget.  I bet it's just as much of a blast, though. (oh - haha, pun not intended, but works!) You could even make an extra long string and when the balloon is deflated, the boy can blow it up again for the rest of the "track", if the track is hung at the right height.  Click HERE for instructions.