Hobbies And Interests
Mobile
Show off your merit badges as they swing in a cool window breeze by making a merit badge mobile. Gather a few hangers, some string or thread and tape. Place each merit badge face down, then tape the end of the string to the back of the badge. Use a few pieces or strong tape such as duct tape to secure the string. Tie the string to the hanger with a knot. Add a few more badges to the hanger (vary the string lengths so you can see the badges at the same time), then attach it to a curtain rod near the window. If you've earned a lot of badges, continue making mobiles and spread them around the house or line them up along your curtain rod.
Bookbag
Display your merit badges in a way that you get to take with you all the time. Instead of leaving them at home, select one bookbag to dedicate to your patches. Empty everything out of the bag, then position the bag on an ironing board. Ask a parent to help with the ironing settings. Position a patch on the bag, then press down on the iron for eight to 10 seconds. Gently touch the patch to make sure it has been firmly attached to the bag. If not, put the iron back on it for another few seconds. Let the patch cool, then add another patch, working your way around the bag. Take care not to iron directly on top of any metal components such as zippers, because they may melt. Wear your new merit badge backpack to Cub Scout or Boy Scout meetings to show off all of your efforts.
Bookcase
If your family has an unused bookcase taking up space in the house, consider asking permission to use it as a display for your merit badges. With tape, attach a row of merit badges to the shelf sides, both vertically and horizontally on the pieces of wood that split the case into shelves. You can store other scout paraphernalia such as guide books and art projects on the shelves, with the merit badges creating a frame around everything else. If you've got a lot of badges, tape them to the back wall of the case and the outside sides as well.