• Worn-out bands make excellent projects.watch image by petar Ishmeriev from Fotolia.com
  
  Long after your watch stops ticking, you may find yourself stuck with an old band. You can easily recycle or reuse an old band to create fun projects, either alone or with your children. With a little bit of creativity, there's no need to ever toss away a worn-out watch band!
  
  

Doll Belt

• Your leather watchband is the perfect size for a Barbie or dollhouse doll belt. After removing the band from the watch face, simply use a needle and thread to sew the loose ends together at the points that were originally attached to the face. After a few stitches, cut the thread and try out the new belth on your doll. If it is too big, you can always cut the watch band on the end with the pinholes. This is a great way to introduce crafts and sewing to young children.
  
  

Equipment Tie

• Put your nylon watch band with Velcro ends to good use on future camping trips. Tie or sew the watch band together, on the sides that were originally attached to the face. Use it to keep tent poles or other sporting equipment together by wrapping it around the equipment and securing the tie with the Velcro. If the Velcro is worn-out, replace it or sew on snaps to make the ties more secure.
  
  

Cupboard Stoppers

• Protect your cupboard or china cabinet with your old leather watch band. Decide where you'd like to place the stoppers so that the cupboard will be protected from damage and wear-and-tear from the opening and closing of the doors. Cut out pieces of the leather band and glue them either to the inside frame of the cupboard or to the door, to prevent the wood from banging. Use strong glue suited for wood to ensure lasting adherence.
  
  

Bracelet

• Making a bracelet out of an old watch band simply requires a little bit of creativity and ingenuity. Measure your wrist or the wrist of the person for whom you will make the bracelet, and then measure the watch band after removing it from the face. String beads or charms onto a bracelet string and tie it between the band pieces to make up for any shortage in length. Decorate the watchband with beads, rhinestones or crystals.