While pipe cleaners were originally used to clean tobacco pipes, and may still be in some cases, they now have many other uses, including making and embellishing craft projects and use as handy household tools.

Children love to use pipe cleaners for everything from making insect legs and antennae on paper plate spiders or ladybugs to hanging their artwork for display. Pipe cleaners work great as hooks for homemade ornaments, or they can be made into ornaments by simply twisting a red one and a white one together to shape a candy cane. Green pipe cleaners can be twisted into triangle shapes to make Christmas trees. Aside from ornaments, pipe cleaners can be used to make other fun items, such as stick people, or they can be used to replace shoelaces or hair ties. Choose the softer options, which are sometimes referred to as chenille stems, for these ideas.

You can also use pipe cleaners to make cute accents for gift packages or as napkin rings for a special party. With a few pipe cleaners and a little imagination, children and adults can make fun craft projects and accessories. However, pipe cleaners are not just good for fun. They are also handy around the house or shop. Use pipe cleaners as tiny scrub brushes to clean small parts or to reach into enclosed areas. They work great for cleaning blockages in glue bottle tips or other squirt bottles, and they are also handy for cleaning sipper cups or sports cups that have tiny spouts.

Here’s another terrific use for pipe cleaners that most parents will appreciate. Use them to keep kids busy in the car. Pipe cleaners are available in lots of colors and don’t cost much, so pick up a good variety and let your kids play with them during long car rides. Encourage your kids to get creative and see how many different things they can make from pipe cleaners. Then, pick up a storage container with a lid to keep them handy for future trips.