Are we really almost halfway through our look at 101 unconventional uses for packaging supplies? You bet!
Have any unique ways that you use packaging supplies? Tell us in the comments section. If it’s a great idea, we’ll add it to our list and give you a little plug!
41. Kids’ Mailbox – Turn an ordinary box (you can use corrugated boxes, pop-up hat boxes, whatever!) into a fun kids’ mailbox. Allow your child or student to decorate the box and then occasionally “send” him or her mail. It’s a great activity for both adults and youngsters!
42. Native American Headband – Are you studying the native peoples of the Americas? Then why not use some sturdy brown Kraft paper and have your students make their own native American headbands? They’ll be incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished!
43. Native American Vest – Did you know you can turn a regular brown paper bag (like the kind you get in grocery stores) into a native American vest? Simply open the bag, turn it upside down, cut out a hole for the head (on the bottom of the bag), cut a straight line from the hole down the middle of one of the bigger sections, cut out holes for the arms along the sides, and voila! Have the kids paint or decorate it as they desire.
44. Crocheted Items – Are you into crocheting? You might not have realized it, but you can actually use strips of plastic food packaging bags to crochet everything from doilies to ornaments to hats! Find patterns on the Internet and be creative.
45. Unique Frames – Looking for a rainy day activity with the kids? Turn a regular sheet of cardboard (you can cut up corrugated boxes for this activity) into a special frame for a beloved pictures. Decorate with glitter, glue, stickers, et cetera.
46. Lacing Cards – Yet another use for sheets taken from corrugated boxes are “lacing cards”. These cards help children learn dexterity. Simple make holes in a sheet (you want a number of them, but not too many) and hand it to a child along with a shoelace or piece of yarn. Then, allow the child to “lace” through the holes, making patterns.
47. Guitar – Perhaps you never thought of a small corrugated box as a guitar, but if you add rubber bands to it, suddenly it’s an instrument!
48. “Jingle” Bell Holder – Going caroling? Put several “jingle” bells into a Ziploc baggie and shake to your heart’s desire!
49. Napkin Rings – Not certain what to do with a cardboard mailing tube? For fun, you can always cut it up into same-sized segments, decorate them and use for napkin rings. This is a fun activity for the holidays, as the kids can stay occupied while the cooks make the meal!
50. Castles - Just moved? Have a bunch of corrugated boxes and cardboard mailing tubes sitting around? Use them to make fantastical castles with your kids! It’s guaranteed to bring out the creativity in anyone!
There is an industry standard way to measure the basis weight (or paper thickness) for both 
The same measurement applies to kraft paper and newsprint which is available in a variety of thicknesses. Logically, if a thicker kraft paper or newsprint is used, the total weight of this ream might weigh 60 pounds which of course would result in labeling that paper 60 pound basis weight. Paper weight is sometimes stated using the “#” symbol. For example, “40#” means “40 pounds per basis ream of 500 sheets”.
