I have saved the wooden spools and those from my mom. I have several older magazine articles that show making doll furniture from them and other crafts. My mom was big on PAC of Fun magazines, the original recycling crafting magazine. I have saved some blocks of styrofoam packaging and can then stick pencils/ dowels in it to hold up and dry painted items

For a while my Guild collected empty spools for cat toys. Not certain where the idea came from but they were overwhelmed with spools.

I have saved wooden spools "forever'. I use them for all sorts of projects, but of course, not one will come to mind except for necklaces for Gkids when they are making up plays to entertain their "older folks". I have, on occasion, used them for wheels on toys also.

YES!! My cats knock them all over the house! Then we got to thinking we may step and slide on one, so threw the plastic away. But, now a new kitten has been added since April, so in one room where she plays, the spools have been relocated into that room. She has a blast with them! Just watching her attack them is hilarious.

I wait until I have about 25 of them and then take them to a child development center. They can use them for arts and crafts. I just string the empty ones on a ribbon and hang it "necklace style" next to my bulletin board until I get 25. Nice decoration for the sewing room until it's full.

I've seen strung for garland with strips of Christmas fabric tied between each one. I remember a picture of a hollow glass lamp that was filled with them; bigger spools glued together for candlesticks but I think the top hole was enlarged. Strung together to make arms and legs of dolls, strung for wind chimes. Thats all I think of right now.