Home >> Toys >> Other Toys

How to Make a Blowgun Out of a Pen

A pen drying out can be a frustrating experience, particularly if you don't have another pen handy to continue your writing. Fortunately, a dried-up ballpoint pen isn't without its uses. If you have a ballpoint, hollow tubed pen that runs out of ink, don't throw it out; instead you can turn it into a blowgun in just a few minutes with no additional tools.

Things You'll Need

Ballpoint, hollow-tubed pen
Balls of paper or cotton swabs (broken in half)

Instructions

- 1
  Pinch the pen between your thumb and index fingers about 1/2 inch below the non-writing tip until the rear cap is loose. Spin the pen slightly after each pinch to ensure pressure around the entirety of the cap.
- 2
  Remove the rear cap.
- 3
  Pinch the pen between your thumb and index fingers about 1/2 inch above the writing tip until the narrowed point is loose. Spin the pen slightly after each pinch to ensure pressure around the entirety of the tip.
- 4
  Remove the narrowed point and ink cartridge.
- 5
  Load the pen with the projectile of your choice. Two good choices are cotton swabs broken in half or balls of paper.
- 6
  Place the end of the tube with the projectile in it to your mouth, aim and blow.

Other Toys