Once you've assembled the materials, position the three feathers so that they curve outward, and push the tips of the quills into the wider end of the cob, as shown in the photo. (You may have to use a small finishing nail to start the holes.) Once the dart's "wings" are in place, insert the 3" to 4" stick in the narrow end of the cob, leaving a point that's 1 1/2" to 2" long. (You might want to sharpen the exposed end of the stick.) Finally, draw a target in the dirt or on a large sheet of paper, and — after discussing safety precautions with the young competitors — join your family in a game of outdoor darts!
Of course, no article concerning corn cob projects would be complete without at least some mention of what's perhaps the best known use for an empty ear: the corn cob pipe. You can make your own "Huckleberry Finn smoker" by cutting a 1 1/2" length from the wider end of a cob. Hammer a nail hole in the side of this section, about 3/8 inch up from one end, making the opening large enough to accommodate a small hollow reed or a store-bought pipe stem. Now, use your pocketknife to hollow out the cob, leaving about a 1/4"-thick wafer intact for the bottom of the bowl. Then simply insert the reed or stem into the nail hole ... and admire your authentic corn cob pipe! (If tobacco isn't your vice, congratulate yourself and let the youngsters use the finished product for blowing soap bubbles.)
There are still other ways to recycle the versatile cobs, including putting them to work as paint rollers and tool handles, and you'll likely come up with a few more corn cob crafts as you get accustomed to having the nubby rounds on hand. In fact, you just might — when planting next season's corn crop — be as eager to harvest the cobs as you are to eat the kernels!