Introduction: Make a Lantern Out of K'nex and a Cell Phone!!!
Going camping is a great summertime activity! Hiking, sleeping under the stars, and open fires are just a few of the factors that make camping a truly memorable experience. That experience can go horribly wrong, however, if you end up getting lost in the dark! Luckily, you can easily build an emergency lantern using only K'nex and A cell phone! If you are lost and in need of light right now, why waste time? Let's get started!
Step 1: Parts
You will need: 8 white connectors, 16 red connectors, 4 grey connectors, 4 orange connectors, 24 loop (purple) connectors, 8 grey stiff rods, 2 green flex rods, 2 red rods, 16 white rods, 20 green rods, 82 grey separators, 4 blue separators, and a cellular device with a flashlight app.
Step 2: Main Pieces; Part One
Build 4 of the pieces shown.
Step 3: Main Pieces; Part Two
Separate the four pieces into two pairs. Next, connect the pairs with white rods. Finally, fill in the interior with more white rods.
Step 4: Sides
Add grey rods to one of the main pieces.
Step 5: Side Pieces; 1 & 2
Build two of the pieces shown, and add them on.
Step 6: Side Pieces 3 & 4
Build two of the pieces shown, and add them on.
Step 7: Side Pieces 5,6,7, & 8
Take four loop (purple) connectors and add them on as shown. Notice they only are attached to one rod.
Step 8: Side Pieces 9 & 10
Build two of the pieces shown. On one piece, add two green rods. Add them to the main piece.
Step 9: Side Pieces 11 & 12
Build two of the pieces shown, and add them on.
Step 10: Separators; Part One
Add 5 grey separators to the rods shown. Only add them to the rods specified!
Step 11: Side Pieces 13 & 14
Build two of the pieces shown and add them on to the rods with separators.
Step 12: Separators; Part Two
Add a blue separator on top of the pieces you just added. Next, add four more grey separators on top of them.
Step 13: Separators; Part Three
Add 10 grey separators to the other rods as shown.
Step 14: Side Pieces 15 & 16
Build two of the pieces shown. On one, add green rods. Add them to the main piece. Make sure the pieces with the grey rods are on the same side!
Step 15: Side Pieces 17 & 18
Build two of the pieces shown, and add them on.
Step 16: Top Piece
Take the other piece from step 3 and add it to the top.
Step 17: Top Pieces; Part One
Build two of the pieces shown, then add them to the top.
Step 18: Top Pieces; Part Two
Build two of the pieces shown, then add them to the top.
Step 19: Top Pieces; Part Three
Build two of the pieces shown, then add them to the top.
Step 20: Red Rods
Insert red rods through the top. Next, add grey separators as shown.
Step 21: Grey Connectors
Attach four grey connectors to the red rods as shown.
Step 22: Green Rods (Handles)
Attach two green rods to the grey connectors as shown.
Step 23: The Lantern Is Completed!
Congratulations! The lantern's frame is now complete!
Step 24: Device; Part One
Turn on the flashlight app on your device.
Step 25: Device; Part Two
To insert your device, slide the top of the lantern up as shown.
Step 26: Device; Part Three
Insert your device sideways through the front of the lantern, then rotate it to face forward. Slide the top down to secure it. You can now pick up your lantern!
Step 27: Done!!!
Congratulations!!! You now have your very own K'nex lantern!!! Enjoy using it on your awesome camping trip!!!

Participated in the
Great Outdoors Contest

Participated in the
Toy Rods and Connectors Contest
21 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
This is very cool!!!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
and i voted for ya!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!!! It means a lot!
9 years ago on Introduction
Nerf, nice job! I foresee many more K'nex and Iphone projects. I think you should call the 'series' I-K'nex. :3 I voted.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! I do too... I might do that, and make a guide at the end! Thanks for the idea! There's still a long way and a lot of ibles to go till then though... ;)
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Awesome. I really look forward to seeing them.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
;)
9 years ago on Introduction
haha, 2 in 1 you can't go wrong :D
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Haha yeah, but hey, it works!
9 years ago on Introduction
nice idea
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
9 years ago on Introduction
Nice! More cell phone applying projects. I could've used this when I was lighting off fireworks tonight.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, I can't wait to set off mine as well! My favorites are Roman candles because you can sh
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
oulder fire them.
I accidentally posted in the middle of a sentence... Again...
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
It's alright. My brother acctually told me how to use those because I had no idea.
9 years ago on Introduction
Nice!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
9 years ago on Introduction
This looks pretty neat!
Good design + well-written instructions = Voted :)
I hadn't known about the contest, I'll have to think an idea of my own to enter :D
Perhaps an updated version of my Wheel Launcher?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks and thanks again for voting! I saw your wheel launcher and its pretty cool!!! You could make a wheel gun like Ryry.
9 years ago on Introduction
That is actually really cool, I do like it. =D