New Uses for Old Things: Kids Edition

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

These double-duty ideas are made for more than just the children.

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Cereal Box as Sweets Carrier

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Attention, PTA members: Here’s a practical Transport Alternative for the bake sale. Tape a cereal box closed, then cut away the front or back panel to create a tray for those top-selling brownies. Best of all, you can just "donate" the box.

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Scratched CD as Paint Palette

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

When you're working on an art project, dab the colors you need onto a CD. (Place one finger in the hole to keep the CD stable.)

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Chopsticks as Glue Stick

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

To get a tiny sequin in just the right spot during your next craft project, use the tip of a chopstick to nudge it into place without gumming up your fingers.

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Electrical Tape as Chair Decorator

Alexandra Rowley

Liven up a child’s chair with colorful stripes. (Use lead-free or plastic tape.)

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Cotton Balls as Teddy-Bear Stuffing

Grant Cornett

Has Paddington ripped and lost his padding? To add fluff, cram cotton balls behind the torn seam, then stitch him back up.

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Button as Necklace Pendant

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Have one special button? Thread it onto a thin chain or a delicate piece of ribbon for a standout necklace.

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To-Go Container as Paint Palette

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Even a starving artist eats takeout sometimes. Use the plastic top from a to-go container as a palette for mixing colors; when you’re finished, just toss.

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Cereal Box as Photo Saver

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran. Photo in box: Renee Keith/Getty Images

Sending Grandpa a shot of the all-star soccer team but don't want the postal journey to bend it (like Beckham)? Sandwich the picture between the large panels of a flattened box.

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Shower Curtain Liner as Child’s Smock

Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Finger-painting on the day’s agenda? Cut a new shower curtain liner in half or in fourths, and then cut a hole in the center for your little one’s head to pop through.

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Birthday Candles as Valentine’s Day Card

Levi Brown; Styling: Blake Ramsey

Turn a birthday party prop into a loved one's bright spot on February 14. All you'll need to make this card is a blank note card, glue, and a felt tip marker.

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Matchbook as Valentine’s Day Card

Levi Brown; Styling: Blake Ramsey

Once you've found your perfect match, it's easy to turn sentiments into handmade crafts. Start with a blank note card, glue, and a felt tip marker.

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Playing Card as Valentine’s Day Card

Levi Brown; Styling: Blake Ramsey

When the stakes are high, you'd bet your money (and your heart) on this guy. Start with a blank note card, glue, and a felt tip marker.

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Puzzle Pieces as Valentine’s Day Card

Levi Brown; Styling: Blake Ramsey

For the one who lights up your life, create a card that'll be for keeps. Start with a blank note card, glue, and a felt tip marker.

See more homemade valentines.

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Glass Jar as Arts and Crafts Organizer

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Kids can see inside the glass jars to find what they’re looking for, from crayons to pompoms. Leave off the lids for extra long supplies, like pipe cleaners or colored pencils.

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Wrapping Paper as Placemat

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Turn rectangles of giftwrap into placemats you don’t mind getting dirty. You can even write guests’ names on the edges to designate seats.

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Turkey Baster as Pancake Shaper

Levi Brown

Use a baster full of batter to squeeze custom pancakes onto the griddle. Start with easy letters and shapes, then work up to more complicated designs, like these leaves. (The trick is to draw the outlines and veins first, let them brown, then fill in the gaps with more batter.)

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Stickers as Book Labels

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Hey, math can be colorful! Wrap textbooks in simple paper and use alphabet stickers to label the spines.

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Colander as Toy Scoop

Erica McCartney; Styling: Kristine Trevino

One of the most popular kitchen tools also happens to double as a clean-up aid. Before draining the tub, use a colander to make scooping up small toys fun and easy.

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Kazoo as Place Card

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Ready to blow it out at your next dinner party? Use a permanent marker to write guests’ names on kazoos to designate seats—perfect for New Year’s Eve.

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Shoelace as Ribbon

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Happy birthday, sport! Use a (clean) shoelace for a simple, reusable gift tie.

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Sticker Dots as Party Cups

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Turn plain white cups into custom-designed party wear with simple dot stickers, available at any office supply store.

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Ribbon as Photo Matte

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Glue ribbon around an existing matte to turn a basic frame into one-of-a-kind art.

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Kid Art as Holiday Wrap

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Oh, that’s grandma dressed as an alligator? Perfect for wrapping her birthday gift. (And the fridge door is full anyway.)

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Dice as Vegetable Counter

Aimee Herring

Decide how many more bites of dinner your child has to eat before being excused. Let your child roll so he’s the one controlling his fate. You'll end up with a more peas-ful family meal.

Collette Mather
Teaneck, New Jersey

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Baby Food Jar as Easter Egg Decorating Aid

Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Design Rothkoesque Easter eggs. Fill a jar with dye, then dip half the egg in and let dry. Dip again, but only one-third of the egg. Repeat with both ends of the egg until you have stripes in varying shades.

Need a quick refresher on how to dye Easter eggs? Watch this quick video to learn how to hard-boil an egg, then check out these homemade Easter egg dye recipes.

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Locked Cosmetic Bag as Childproof Storage

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Put medications in a locked cosmetic case for an easy way to keep curious kids away from poking around the medicine cabinet.

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Paper Sack as Halloween Treat Bag

Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Don’t pay a premium for Halloween-themed treat bags. Turn any paper sack into a jack-o-lantern with a few precise snips.

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Parchment Paper as Musical Instrument

Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Make a kazoo by folding a piece of parchment or wax paper over a comb’s teeth (the paper should hang over about an inch).

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Stretchy Bracelets as Wine Charms

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Snag a couple of your child's stretchy bracelets to identify guests' glasses at your next party. Bonus points if the shapes match your party's theme. Submitted by: Abby123

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Rubber Bands as Sandwich Labels

Levi Brown

Distinguishing chicken salad from tuna is no picnic. Next time you’re packing sandwiches, stretch a thick rubber band around each one and label it with a permanent marker. Divvying up lunch will be a snap.

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Metal Magazine Rack as Towel Holder

John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Roll pool towels and store them vertically, so your kids can grab one before taking a swim.

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New Uses for Old Things: Kids Edition

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Cereal Box as Sweets Carrier

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Scratched CD as Paint Palette

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Chopsticks as Glue Stick

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Electrical Tape as Chair Decorator

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Cotton Balls as Teddy-Bear Stuffing

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Button as Necklace Pendant

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To-Go Container as Paint Palette

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Cereal Box as Photo Saver

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Shower Curtain Liner as Child’s Smock

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Birthday Candles as Valentine’s Day Card

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Matchbook as Valentine’s Day Card

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Playing Card as Valentine’s Day Card

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Puzzle Pieces as Valentine’s Day Card

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Glass Jar as Arts and Crafts Organizer

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Wrapping Paper as Placemat

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Turkey Baster as Pancake Shaper

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Stickers as Book Labels

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Colander as Toy Scoop

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Kazoo as Place Card

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Shoelace as Ribbon

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Sticker Dots as Party Cups

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Ribbon as Photo Matte

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Kid Art as Holiday Wrap

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Dice as Vegetable Counter

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Baby Food Jar as Easter Egg Decorating Aid

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Locked Cosmetic Bag as Childproof Storage