Workshop Organizer

• Dip strips of newspaper in a mixture of two cups of flour and three cups of water mixture, then layer the strips onto the egg carton. The mixture creates a plaster-like substance and when dry, creates a hardened layer of protection around the carton. When layering, create a flat surface under the base of the egg carton, so the carton will be stable sitting on a table or shelf. The inside of the carton remains the same, but the outside is sturdier with a flat bottom. Use the cups to separate nails and screws in a workshop.
  
  

Jewelry Box

• Make a decorative jewelry box out of an egg carton. The egg cups in the carton are the ideal size for bracelets, earrings, pins and necklaces. Separating the items into the cups prevents tangling. Both six and 12 egg containers work for the project, depending on how much jewelry you plan to store. Apply a basecoat of gesso to the carton. Gesso provides a seep-resistant base that allows the paint to stay true to its color. Once dry, paint the carton with acrylic paints. Once the paint is dry, glue beads or buttons to the container with hot glue, or use stickers or decals to make it fancy.
  
  

Educational Toy

• Using an egg carton for sorting and counting is a creative way for children to learn about match. Fill the cups of the egg carton with beans, buttons or other trinkets. Make sure the items are age-appropriate and that smaller items do not put younger children at risk. Children can sort items by color by placing like-color items into each of the 12 cups. Color each cup ahead of time with a marker or paint, or write the name of the color inside of the cup. Cups can also be labeled one to 12 for children to place the appropriate number of items in each of the cups. One carton can serve both purposes if you color and number each of the cups.
  
  

Pipe Cleaner Spiders

• Make spiders out of individual egg carton cups and pipe cleaners. Cut the carton into 12 pieces by separating each cup. With scissors or a hole-punch, put four holes on each side of the cup. Insert pipe cleaners into the four holes on one side and out the four holes on the opposite side. If you were to turn the cup over, the four pipe cleaners would form four lines across the "belly" of the spider. Glue plastic eyes to the cup and decorate it with paint, markers or stickers.