Sneaky DIY Projects
I love the idea of a handmade Christmas. Gifts from the heart, possibly saving money, making happy memories.
But what about those family members who can’t knit or whittle? Or be trusted near the oven?
I went on a search for DIY projects that would be of interest to children and non-crafters.
Yes, they do exist.
Before I became a mom, I had visions of sitting around with my future offspring and doing adorable crafts, maybe singing the occasional song in harmony, a la the Von Trapp family.
That dream has yet to be realized, but maybe I was going about it all wrong.
Cy Tymony is like a real-life MacGuyver. Remember how that guy could make just about anything he needed?
In grade school, Cy Tymony defended himself from bullies with the help of a spring-loaded shocker hidden up his sleeve. Now, Cy has written a series of books divulging “Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things“.
His two newest books are The Sneaky Book for Boys and The Sneaky Book for Girls.
I love these books because they inspire readers to get creative and make the most out of what they already have.
With the skills in these books, you can turn everyday objects and discarded items into valuable tools, toys, and devices.
I am from the South, but this sounds like that “Yankee Ingenuity” I have heard about.
I will admit that when I got a copy of last year’s fad, the Dangerous Book for Boys, I was a bit underwhelmed.
The Sneaky Book for Boys acknowledges this, and endeavors to pick up where The Dangerous Book for Boys left off.
While the Dangerous Book for Boys includes sections on Morse code and an explanation of latitude and longitude, the The Sneaky Book for Boys continues by featuring instructions on how to make and use a Morse code set, along with crafting a latitude quadrant and a longitude sextant.
The Sneaky Book for Boys provides complete how-to instructions and diagrams for useful gadgets, survival skills, magic tricks, communication codes, and science projects.
“Sneaky” animals and insects are also profiled.
I am pleased that The Sneaky Book for Boys teaches different recycling and conservation techniques, too!
The Sneaky Book for Girls also trumps the Daring Book for Girls, with instructions on how to write a note in invisible ink, craft the note into a sneaky Frisbee, and then properly recycle the note after its secrets have been divulged. That is thorough!
The Sneaky Book for Girls features profiles of famous, inspirational women, and complete how-to instructions and diagrams for sneaky gadgets, survival skills, magic tricks, communication codes, science and crafting projects, as well as recycling and conservation techniques.
These sneaky books are a fun way to get your family interested in science!
Both books are available from The Amazon for only $8.79 each!
If you or your child would love to try some sneaky projects, you can check out this article by Cy Tymony from Boys’ Life magazine. It has several free project ideas.
Also look at these free how-to ideas from Cy on Youtube. These “sneaky” videos are clever ways to re-purpose or upcycle normal, everyday objects.
Cy Tymony also contributes to Make magazine. You can view some sneaky projects in the Makezine.com archives if you subscribe.
Cy will appear in episodes of the upcoming PBS series special Make: TV airing nationwide, starting January 2009.
Cy Tymony is giving Mom Most Traveled readers the chance to win the Sneaky Uses book of their choice!
To enter, visit SneakyUses.com and tell me which one of the five Sneaky Uses books you would most like to win.
Also in your comment, tell me a “sneaky” skill you would like to learn (it doesn’t have to be realistic).
One winner will be chosen at random.
This giveaway is open to US residents.
This contest will close on December 15th, 12 midnight CST.
*Congrats to Beeb!*
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07 December 2008, 1:53 pm
These sound great — I gave my daughter the “Dangerous” book last year. She loved the info, but I know she’d also like more hands-on activities. Would love the Sneaky Book for Girls… and let’s see… a sneaky skill I’d like to learn? Maybe to always wake up feeling supercharged? Or is that too lofty?
07 December 2008, 1:59 pm
Sneaky book for boys would sure be a winner in my house!!!!! We would love to win!
Mamaelizabeth
07 December 2008, 2:06 pm
sneaky uses for things I would pick..snaeaky way to get laundry done faster without hiring a maid—ok and not using febreeze and refolding
07 December 2008, 3:26 pm
I’d love to win, I have both a boy and a girl.both books would be welcome
07 December 2008, 4:28 pm
I’d love any of them, but the boy one would probably be best, being a mom of 2 of them!
I am not sure what I’d like to learn, but I’m sure there’s a ton of info in these books!
thanks!
terra joness last blog post..Tagline Contest!
07 December 2008, 4:32 pm
I would like to have the book for girls. I think my niece would love this.
07 December 2008, 4:47 pm
The Sneakiest Uses for Everyday things sounds like a fun, handy book. I would love to read it. Thanks!
07 December 2008, 5:48 pm
I would like the Sneaky book for Girls. I would like to find a sneaky way to find a job that I would love.
07 December 2008, 6:50 pm
I think the sneaky book for girls would be fun when my daughter gets older! So long as there is no “sneaky way out of the house” section in there!!!
I would love a sneaky way to surprise DH with his Christmas gifts!
07 December 2008, 6:52 pm
My niece would love the Sneaky Book for Girls!
07 December 2008, 11:50 pm
I want Sneaky things for girls! One Sneaky thing I’d love to learn is a Sneaky way to slow down time
07 December 2008, 11:51 pm
I stumbled ~ momof2ballerinas
Ginnys last blog post..Il Divo Christmas Collection & the Promise CD
08 December 2008, 12:40 am
I would like the Sneaky Book for Boys - my son would love it!
I would also like to learn a Sneaky way to translate my toddler daughter’s garbled shrieks into recognizable words, thereby averting a tantrum.
08 December 2008, 2:07 am
I would chose Sneakiest Uses for Everyday Things, although I think all five books look terribly interesting.
Thanks!
08 December 2008, 2:31 am
Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things sounds good, i’d like a sneaky way to avoid talking to people that i don’t wish to talk to
08 December 2008, 2:40 am
This is totally my kind of giveaway! Ms. DIY here would love to learn how to turn a penny into a radio in the Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things book. I’d consider the one for boys, but I think I’d be selfish and get the one I really want, rather than for my little guy.
08 December 2008, 2:42 am
I Twittered under katydidandkid
The imaginary sneaky thing I wish I could do is drown out people (or snoring) that I don’t want to hear (like my MIL) but make it seem like I’m paying attention, even though I’m doing something else. Keep dreaming, Kathleen
08 December 2008, 2:50 am
Sneakiest uses for everyday things.
08 December 2008, 4:01 am
Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things would be my pick, although the Boy and Girl versions are appealing, too!
I’d like to learn how to walk like a ninja…
08 December 2008, 9:21 am
Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things looks like fun, but I’d probably go with The Sneaky Book for Boys.
I’d like to learn how to fly.
08 December 2008, 9:50 am
My favorite is the Sneakiest Uses for Everyday Things. I would love to be invisible so I could be sneaky all the time.
08 December 2008, 10:52 am
The sneaky book for boys. I’d like to be able to sneak around invisible.
08 December 2008, 1:27 pm
i would most like the sneaky book for boys
08 December 2008, 2:00 pm
Definitely the “Sneaky Book for Boys” because I have two sons. I would like to learn how to take care of our puppy while I sleep later in the mornings! Many thanks, Cindi
08 December 2008, 2:36 pm
I’d like both, as I have one each a boy and a girl!
08 December 2008, 2:45 pm
I think my daughter would love the “Sneaky book for Girls” book. I would love to learn how to get my youngest to sleep in past 5 am.
08 December 2008, 4:33 pm
Sneaky book for boys a winner
08 December 2008, 5:35 pm
I would like the Sneaky Book for Girls. I think my daughter would really like it. Such great ideas for minds young and old. I would like to learn the sneaky skill of getting my kids to pick up after themselves. Definitely not realistic.
08 December 2008, 5:54 pm
sneaky uses for everyday things - that metal detector out of a calculator sounds like fun!
08 December 2008, 5:55 pm
tweet tweet
http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/1045425470
08 December 2008, 6:48 pm
Sneaky uses for boys. my son would love it! Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
08 December 2008, 7:00 pm
Boys please!
08 December 2008, 9:03 pm
I would love the Sneaky Book for Boys for my 8 year old son.
reg8w@aol.com
Ginas last blog post..Stuff I want for the kids
08 December 2008, 11:46 pm
“Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things“ for our house. I would love to learn a sneaky way to use golfballs!
09 December 2008, 12:31 am
I would love the Sneaky Book For Boys! That looks really great for my grandson. Thank you!
09 December 2008, 4:55 am
We would love the Seaky Uses for everything book, if I could I would love to find a sneaky way to get my house to clean itself.
09 December 2008, 3:40 pm
I’d love the Sneaky Book for Girls for my daughter. I think I’d like to learn a sneaky way to find more time!
09 December 2008, 10:35 pm
I have a grandson and a granddaughter so either set would be great. thank you for this wonderful contest and prize!
10 December 2008, 1:31 am
Sneaky uses for everyday things would be my choice. I’d love to know how a magazine can become a hearing aid! Thanks for the chance!
11 December 2008, 8:33 am
Sneaky Book for Girls, and I would love to know how to make maybe an hour more in a day!
12 December 2008, 12:31 am
the sneaky book for boys! I have two
12 December 2008, 12:32 am
Im also a subscriber!
12 December 2008, 1:42 am
The Sneaky Book for Girls - I have 5 daughters. I’d like to learn a sneaky way to get my daughters to do things without being asked to do something. LOL
gahome2moms last blog post..Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls Giveaways
13 December 2008, 1:03 am
I’d like The Sneaky Book For Girls, and besides wanting to give it to my niece (whose mother died when she was younger, and I try to fill in) I myself would like to know how to use everyday objects to help myself hear things that are far away!
13 December 2008, 2:14 pm
I would like the Sneaky Book for Girls. I’m tired of Disney and Barbie as entertainment for little girls. Let me give her some useful skills - like how to know what mushrooms are edible.
13 December 2008, 8:31 pm
My 11 year old would love the Sneaky Boys one.
13 December 2008, 8:31 pm
I have your button on my blog.
Julies last blog post..Do you believe in Magic?
13 December 2008, 9:43 pm
Looked at all of them but still like the Sneaky book for Girls the best
14 December 2008, 5:21 am
This would be an awesome gift for several people in my family!! I think Sneaky Uses For Everyday Things sounds neat. One sneaky skill I wish I had? I wish I could be like MacGuyver and fashion a radio out of a paperclip. Maybe this book will help! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Beeb Ashcrofts last blog post..My Savings Story Featured at BeCentsAble
14 December 2008, 5:23 am
I stumbled this post:
http://hardertobreathe.stumbleupon.com/
And my username is hardertobreathe. Thank you!
14 December 2008, 5:24 am
I tweeted this here:
http://twitter.com/hardertobreathe/status/1056398475
My username is hardertobreathe. Thanks again!
14 December 2008, 4:01 pm
I would like the sneaky book for boys. My son has a great imagination and loves informative books. I know he would read this book over and over. A sneaky skill I would love to learn is how to lesson the 3 hours I have to spend each day driving to work.
15 December 2008, 1:33 am
I need the sneaky girls book…I’m up to my ears in them!
15 December 2008, 2:40 am
Sneaky Book for Girls
15 December 2008, 4:13 am
i like the sneaky book for boys..i would like to learn where to hide christmas gifts
15 December 2008, 4:59 pm
I would like to have the book for girls and boys as I have one of each. I would also like to learn where to hide christmas gifts. Thanks for the chance to win.
15 December 2008, 8:52 pm
I love them both but we got more girls than boys……..so I guess Sneaky Girl!
Thanks for the giveaway!
16 December 2008, 12:34 am
I’d like The Sneaky Book For Girls, this is something that would be important for my daughter to have!
16 December 2008, 4:19 am
I’d love to win the Sneaky Book for Boys, and a sneaky skill I’d love to master is the ability to listen through walls. Eavesdropping at its finest! Thanks for the giveaway.
16 December 2008, 5:52 am
Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things
16 December 2008, 5:55 am
I pick Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things.
I think I’d like to know how to sneakily pick the correct lottery numbers once a year.
16 December 2008, 5:55 am
Hey, I stumbled!
choochoo428
18 December 2008, 2:37 pm
[...] last week’s giveaway for the Sneaky Uses book of your choice by Cy [...]