Binder clips are handy for holding big stacks of papers (and teachers definitely have plenty of those). But there are actually a lot of clever ways to use them, especially in the classroom. We’ve found a whole collection of binder clip hacks that teachers are sure to love!
1. Mark your place with a friendly binder clip
Glue some googly eyes to a binder clip and you have the cutest bookmark around! These make a fun and inexpensive gift for kids.
Learn more: A Girl and a Glue Gun
2. Corral your loose cables
This is one of the most popular binder clip hacks out there and for good reason. It’s a simple solution to a common problem, and it costs almost nothing!
Learn more: Wired
3. Use them as labels
There are plenty of fancy binder clips available, but you can easily customize your own. Try painting them (remove the silver handles first), adding washi tape, or printing your own personalized labels. Grab a free set at the link.
Learn more: The Classroom Creative
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4. Keep pages in place when cutting
Some binder clip hacks are simply made for teachers, and this is one of them. Use binder clips to hold multiple pages firmly in place while you cut them apart. Genius!
Learn more: The Elementary Entourage
5. Use binder clips to label cubbies or mailboxes
If you re-use your cubbies or mailboxes each year, you don’t want to put permanent labels on them. Binder clips are the perfect substitution. Label them with names or numbers and move them around as needed.
Learn more: Proud to be Primary
6. Combine binder clips with craft sticks to make building toys
Combine binder clips in a variety of sizes with a box of wood craft sticks, and you’ve got an inexpensive set of building toys! These are really fun to use for STEM challenges.
Learn more: Frugal Fun For Boys and Girls
7. Make table or center signs
Hold name cards, table numbers, or center signs upright using binder clips. So simple, and so effective.
Learn more: The Organized Classroom
8. Create binder clip photo holders
Go one step further and turn binder clips into cute little photo holders. Try this as a class craft project; they make excellent holiday gifts.
Learn more: Scrapping Nomad
9. Hang them from push pins
Use a single binder clip on a push pin to hang student work, or combine several to hang larger charts and posters. If you have cement walls, try using sticky hooks with binder clips instead.
Learn more: Dwell Beautiful
10. Assemble mini clipboards with coasters
This is possibly the cutest binder clip hack we’ve seen! Sticky notes are popular in classrooms these days. Use a clip to attach a pad to a coaster to make a mini clipboard.
Learn more: Coffee and Vanilla
11. Store your headphones
Two big binder clips are all you need to hang a set of headphones on the side of a desk or table. How easy is that?
Learn more: Lifehacker
12. Play binder clip bowling
Classroom bowling is always a big hit, so we love this fun new twist! Make your own “pins” from heavy card stock, or buy a set from Teachers Pay Teachers.
Learn more: AllDayABA/Teachers Pay Teachers
13. Put together a string keeper bowl
Keep your twine and yarn from rolling away or getting tangled up with this quick binder clip hack.
Learn more: Pocket Pause
14. Wrap up earbuds
Every student has their own earbuds these days, and teachers are always looking for ways to keep them organized. Try this easy trick—add a binder clip to the desk and wrap the cords around it.
Learn more: Buzzfeed
15. Clip items to the ceiling grid
Hanging lightweight arts and crafts projects from the ceiling is a really fun way to dress up your classroom. Attach binder clips to the ceiling grid to make the process a snap!
Learn more: Who’s Who and Who’s New
16. Build a binder clip star
Here’s a fun STEM challenge for kids: Can you figure out how to make this binder clip star? (The answer is at the link below.) For more STEM fun, challenge kids to design their own clip sculpture.
Learn more: Instructables
17. Improvise a glue gun stand
Prevent burns by propping a hot glue gun up on a binder clip. Even better: set the clip on a piece of scrap paper to catch stray glue drips.
Learn more: Cooktop Cove
18. Organize busy bags
This is a quick way to bring order to anything you store in bags, like puzzles or busy bags. All you need are binder rings, binder clips, and a towel rod.
Learn more: Small Potatoes
19. Practice fine motor skills
Help strengthen little fingers with this fun activity! First, kids attach the clips around the side of the box. Then, they weave the string in and out of the loops.
Learn more: The OT Toolbox
20. Craft a binder clip turkey
Kids will love crafting this little cutie! Make a whole set to use as name card holders on the Thanksgiving table.
Learn more: Split Coast Stampers
21. Use binder clips for your to-do lists
We absolutely love this idea for class chore lists! It would also be a good way to take attendance. Simply flip the clip handle to check off an item.
Learn more: Maria Luiza Rodriguez/Pinterest
Looking for more organization ideas? These DIY Classroom Cubbies Will Make Your Classroom Organization Shine.
Plus, Every Teacher Needs to Know These School Supply Hacks.
