As one of the most basic party supplies, paper cups usually play more of a sideline than starring role. However, they have some serious beyond-the-birthday potential. From toys and games to decorations and even interior design elements, there are plenty of awesome ways to reimagine paper cups. Here are 10 examples that will certainly make you see the cup half full.

1.

(Above) These charming paper-cup lights from Mommo Design cast a cozy glow that would definitely banish bad dreams.

2.

Give your budding photographer her own paper-cup lens to practice with. All of the fun details on Molly Moo‘s version will make her feel like a pro.  

3.

Persia Lou’s painted paper-cup poppers could have a place at a party any time of year. Confetti for new years, pom poms for a birthday, or even water droplets for a backyard bash. 

4.

Hello from the other cup…The classic can phone gets a very cute upgrade with dot stickers, felted pom-poms, and paper cups from Marie-Laure Pham via Hello Wonderful.

5.

This cheery advent from FamilyFun Magazine shouldn’t be saved for Christmas. Mount paper cups to a piece of foam core and cover the opening with numbered sheets of tissue paper. Let kids draw numbers from a hat at party and then punch out the number for their party favor!

6.

Handmade Charlotte‘s collection of paper-cup sea creatures look as fun to craft as they do to play with. As a fishing game, they are also a great way for your kids to practice hand eye coordination.

7.

For a hat that’s sure to be the star of the party, Oh Happy Day’s  teeny tent tete topper takes the cake.  Afterwards, use the mini paper-cup circus tent as a home to your kids’ toy circus animals.

8.

Send guests home with a goodie bag that looks good enough to eat. Though Willow Day‘s paper-cup apple box isn’t edible, it’s the perfect container for tiny treats.

9.

Martha Stewart works her magic with these mini rocket ships. This multipurpose shape could also be reworked into castle towers for a princess party or little houses to fit with a fairy theme.

10.

One Charming Party takes the pain out of piñata making and lets you save energy for the fun part – breaking them! These are made from cone cups, but can easily be made from the average party version too.

While St. Patrick’s Day may not rank high on my list of favorite holidays, I’ve been running into so many clever ways to add little luck to your wardrobe that I can’t help but get into the spirit this year. I’ve gathered 9 crafts that you can use to get green from head to toe. Just one is enough to prevent you from getting pinched, but who knows you might get carried away. The more green the more luck right?

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This paper clover crown from Oh Happy Day! looks better than the real thing. And instead of wilting, it can bring luck year after year. (See image above!)

2.

The Melrose Family created these cute rainbow clips which can also be crafted as a pins. Wouldn’t they make a sweet gift for friends or classmates?

3.

The lack of green in these giant lucky charm barrettes from Handmade Charlotte  is made up for by the amount of luck they’ll surely bring.

4.

I love these simple collars from Fabricworm Blog. Go with green for sweet and sassy way to dress up a crew-neck t-shirt! (If your sewing skillz are a bad as mine, use the pattern to make a no-sew felt version.

5.

I think rainbows definitely rival clovers as the best way to invoke St. Patty’s spirit. This collar pin from The House That Lars Built  is still sweet enough to wear year round though.

6.

Simple As That’s Clover Leaf Lei would be a great craft to have little hands help with. I love the way newsprint is mixed in with all the other fun green patterns.

7.

Nautical bracelets might not be your first thought when it comes to St. Patty’s day, but this minty one from Thanks I Made It fits so perfectly with the holiday color scheme. To make the guys in your life their own green and gold version, follow the tutorial from Hello Glow.

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You’ll look pinchable – until you bare your soles! The House that Lars Built  does it again with these cleverly painted shoes.

9.

If you like the idea of showing your spirit on your feet, but don’t want to make any permanent changes to your shoes, the perky Pom Pom Shoe Clips from Lovely Indeed might be the perfect craft.

If your kid is Thomas-the-Train-obsessed, then you know that you can go to the ends of the earth with track before you can satisfy his or her love for all things Sodor.

This chalkboard would be an adorable addition to any kid’s playroom or bedroom!

For the big loves in your life, make something that screams LOVE for all to see! Make this photo frame with just a few basic materials. Click on over to this post for the full how-to!

Shot through the heart! In a holiday season full of frills, this Valentine’s themed game is on target for both boys and girls. It has all the fun of darts, minus the danger, plus your kids will be too distracted playing to even notice their working on their addition skills.

To make the dartboard and arrows you will need:

• Felt in red, pink, blue, orange, purple                                                                        (use a 18×18-inch piece for the base & 9 x 12-inch sheets for other colors)
• Standard scissors (sewing size are helpful too!)
• 1 large piece of cardboard
• Pencil
• Marker
• Paper straws
• Styrofoam balls (same amount as straws)
• Adhesive Velcro dots (5 per arrow)
• Sparkly tape
• Tacky glue
• Rope

1. Fold your base color piece of felt in half and cut out a large heart on the fold.

2. Repeat step one with the rest of your felt colors, using the previous heart as a guideline to cut the next heart slightly smaller. Make sure to leave approximately an inch between colors so there’s plenty of space for the arrows to land!

3. Use a marker to outline numbers 1 through 4 on extra felt from the center heart (in our case orange). Use leftover felt from the second smallest heart to create a 5 for the center heart. Smaller sewing scissors work best for cutting out the numbers.

4. Apply tacky glue to the edge of each heart and attach them in consecutive layers.

5. Use tacky glue to attach the numbers on the top left edge of each heart layer in ascending order with 1 on the outer heart and 5 in the center.

6. Trace your heart onto a piece of cardboard with a pencil and cut it out with scissors. Secure the felt to the cardboard with tacky glue.

7. Cut a few feet of rope and attach to the back of the cardboard with tape.

– and your board is done! To make the arrows:

1. Cover one end of each straw with a 2 inch piece of tape folded in half over the top.

2. Trim the tape into an angled “V” shape and cut small slits on each side to create a feather.

3. Trim each straw to about 5-inches long. To make your arrow tip, insert the straw into the center of a styrofoam ball and secure with tacky glue.

4. Finally, stick five scratchy (not soft) halves of circular velcro around the styrofoam ball to help increase the likelihood of little hands making their target.