Reusing Cardboard Mailing Tubes

You can call your local elementary school and ask if they need them in the art department. I know we save all of our paper towel rolls and different kinds of cans, like coffee cans for the local headstart children. They do many projects thru the year that they can use all of these items.

If they are super-strong, you can push nails and tacks of different lengths through the outside, so the sharp points are on the inside. Then puth beans, rice, or small noodles inside. Put the plastic caps back on the ends and you have a rainstick--turn it on its end and let beans fall down to make the sound of rain.

I have gerbils who love to chew on them for their bedding. They need to chew and the items they sell at pet stores are so expensive. I love it when a friend gives me their tubes! Do you have a friend or neighbor who might use them for their critters?

cut a slit at either end and they are perfect for storeing christmas lights ,just wrap the lights around till you reach the end and tuck in the slit you made .saves a lot of time trying to untangle lights at christmas