82 Things You Can Do With an Old Book

Have a book you just hate? There are plenty of great things you can do with books you don’t like!

It’s estimated that some 320 million books are thrown away each year – that’s a LOT of books being thrown out. Rather than throwing them away, why not upcycle or repurpose them?

As someone who loves books, I have found they can be useful for all kinds of things, not just for reading! Here’s my big long list of ideas of things you can do with an old book.

1. Use it as a Door Stopper: Need to keep the door open for just a minute? Stick a book in it.

2. Rip out the pages and stick them in a frame for instant art – great for kid’s books + and illustrated books!

3. Use it as a hot pad/trivet – Make sure the book you use has a leather or cloth cover – books with plastic-coated covers might melt!

4. Use the book as a disposable coaster – A couple of sheets from an old book under your coffee mug or glass will help protect the table!

5. Start a fire – books generally will only smolder when you try to burn them whole. For best results, tear out the pages and roll them into small sticks

6. Play the floor is lava game and use the book as a stepping stone. (Be careful: some books can be slippery on some surfaces!)

7. Rip out the pages & make paper hats…or paper planes, maybe even paper cats, or play paper football games

8. Cell phone holder: I can’t imagine why anybody would ever buy a cell phone holder when a book works just as good for free

9. Use as a Stepstool: Need to be 1-2 inches taller? Just stand on this book.

10. Leave the book on a park bench and trust the universe to get it to the right person.