If you have leftover shipping supplies that you don’t know what to do with, get creative! Here are some things that you and your kids can do with those unwanted mailing tubes. If you don’t have any lying around, you can also get them at very little cost at any store that sells shipping supplies.
Rain Stick
To make those soothing rain sounds, you don’t need to wait on the weather. All you need as a mailing tube, some foil, a hot-glue gun, some rice and corn kernels, and a broom handle. Roll the foil lengthwise so that you have a rope of sorts. Wrap this around a broom handle to create a coil and stretch it out to the length of the mailing tube. Keep in mind that you can cut the mailing tube to any desired length. Put the foil in the tube and hot glue gun the ends to the inside. Then glue one cap onto one end of the tube and let your child pour in the rice and corn kernels, then glue the other cap on. Decorate the tube by painting, coloring or gluing and you’ve got a new rain stick that you made together!
Bangle
To make this unique fashion accessory, cut the tube into small, bangle- or cuff-sized circles. Cut out part of the circle to create an opening for the arm. Take any colorful fabric, tulle is especially cute, and cut it and inch or two thick and about a yard long, and wrap it from end to end of the bangle. Tie the ends in a knot and use a glue gun to attach the excess fabric to the inside of the bangle. You can buy grommets and use pliers to fasten them onto the cardboard for a rock and roll look, or you can use a hot glue gun to add beads and sparkles. Voilà! Cool new bracelet!
Race Track
This is a simple and fun way to construct a new track to race toy cars on. Just take the mailing tubes and cut them down the middle. You can paint them to look like a road by spray-painting them black and drawing yellow lines, or just decorate them in wacky colors. Use them to build a new racetrack or slide for the toy cars to cruise on!
