Although you may not think it, you can actually get creative with a bungee cord and use it in a variety of clever ways. If you’re looking to inject a little more fun into your classroom, but don’t want to splash too much cash, you’ve come to the right place. From making your very own organisation station to adding a spot of colourful decoration, get prepared to put on your DIY hat with this beginner-friendly list of ingenious ways to use bungee cords in the classroom. 

1. Toy and stationery organiser 

Get inspired by Pinterest, just as Alex Griffiths did, and use bungee cords to get your classroom organised. No one wants to be greeted by a variety of stuffed animals consuming the floor, so this is one way to keep everything in order and teach the importance of putting things away after you’ve used them. To start, pull out a measuring tape to find out how big the holes need to be, and how far apart. After drilling these into the top and bottom part of a bookshelf, it’s time to create the bars – which, of course, will be crafted using bungee cords. Thread the cords through the holes, pull them through and knot in place, then burn the ends to prevent the bungee cord from unravelling. Et voila! You’ve just made your very own, cost-effective, toy organiser. 

You can also take this to the stationery drawer, using an incredibly simple technique that’ll keep different items separate. All you need to do is take your bungee cord, get it to the correct length, and use it to wrap and tie around pens, pencils, rulers… You name it! Gone are the days of a cluttered classroom.

2. Classroom decoration 

Fancy a spot of decorating? Vibrant colours keep kids engaged, providing them with a bright, fun environment to come to learn each day. Bungee cords are great for using in the classroom as they come in a variety of colours, and whether you choose to incorporate them into a learning display, or for clipping up photos or artworks, you can really let your creative juices flow with this unique idea. 

3. Children’s library 

Everyone loves taking a quiet moment out of their day to engage in a good book, and with ‘reading time’ being an essential part of the school day, why not use bungee cords to set up a sturdy (childproof) DIY bookcase. Use screws to secure the bungee cord in place, making sure to overlap it back on itself to create a strong holder. For a complete makeover that blends in with your classroom’s aesthetic, give the bookcase a fresh coat of paint, using colourful bungee cords to complete. 

4. DIY chair 

Make your very own woven bungee cord stool

No classroom library is complete without comfy seating, so if you’re on a DIY kick, it’s time to get to grips with the benefits of a bungee cord chair. Its sturdiness makes it ideal for this purpose, using a weaving technique to hold everything together. Get hold of a sturdy wooden stool with a seat that’s in need of a replacement, hammer in two small nails on opposite sides (halfway in) and proceed to wrap your bungee cord around these to fill in the stool space. Upon reaching the top corner, begin to weave over two and under two. Repeat this on both the top and bottom side. Once you’ve reached the end, just make sure to burn the tip of your bungee cord so that it doesn’t fray. 

5. Play mat holder 

Similar to the yoga mat idea we’ve discussed in a previous post, apply this same technique to any play mats for a neat, storage solution. Wrap the bungee cord around the mat and tie in a bow before placing it away in a cupboard, ready to be used for another day. 

6. Rucksack holder 

Taking inspiration from Rhonda Bracey’s duvet hanger suggestion, this same method works well for hanging up any classroom accessories or children’s rucksacks – one way to avoid any tripping hazards! Arm yourself with a bungee cord and a sturdy clip, using an old clothing rail (as an example) to hang items from. 

7. Ceiling string for drying artwork or classroom displays 

When it comes to drying artwork or hanging classroom displays, the flexible and sturdy nature of bungee cords makes them an excellent choice. They can be strung from wall to wall or ceiling hooks, creating an impromptu clothesline where artwork can be clipped and left to dry without taking up valuable workspace areas. This not only displays the students’ work but also uses vertical space effectively.

8. Playmat holder 

Bungee cords can be a real asset for holding rolled play mats. By attaching hooks to two ends of a bungee cord and fastening it to a secure point on the wall or inside a storage cupboard, teachers can ensure mats stay rolled up and out of the way until needed. This saves space and keeps playmats from unfolding and taking up floor space when they’re not in use.

9. Keeping cupboards and drawers shut 

In the bustling classroom environment, cupboards and drawers may inadvertently be left open, posing risks to children and teaching staff alike. A bungee cord can be ingeniously stretched across a bank of drawers or cupboard doors to ensure they remain closed when not in use. This simple measure can also help secure materials and restrict access to areas meant for teachers only.

10. Shelf brace 

Heavily laden bookshelves and ornaments in classrooms are a common sight, and sometimes additional support is needed to prevent items from falling off. A bungee cord strung across the front of a shelf can act as a brace to keep books and materials in place, even when the shelf is subjected to the vibrations of a busy classroom or any accidental bumps during indoor playtime.

11. Den making 

For imaginative play or learning about habitats, bungee cords are perfect for constructing dens or small shelters in the classroom. They allow for the easy assembly and disassembly of structures, and their versatility supports a variety of materials for walls and roofs. This helps foster creativity and problem-solving skills as children figure out how to design their mini refuges.

12. Fine motor skills/tuff tray activities

Bungee cords can be stretched across tuff trays to create an interesting obstacle for young learners to navigate as they develop their fine motor skills. They might weave materials in and out of the cords, or use the resistance to press objects underneath, which enhances dexterity and hand-eye coordination, all within the controlled confines of the tuff tray.

13. Science activity to test gravity (KS1/2)

A bungee cord can play a starring role in science experiments focusing on gravity. For key stages 1 and 2, students can observe the effects of gravity by attaching different weights to the ends of a bungee cord and predicting, observing, and measuring how far the cord stretches. This hands-on activity provides a tangible way to understand the fundamental principles of physics.

14. Keep tarp on outdoor equipment 

Outdoor learning is an integral part of the curriculum, and preserving equipment with tarps is essential. Bungee cords are perfect for securing these tarps over outdoor play equipment or sandboxes to protect them from the elements or keep them clean when not in use. The ease of attaching and removing bungee cords makes them particularly useful for this task, saving time and effort for teachers and caretakers alike.

Whether you’re looking to use them in the classroom, or elsewhere, we have a wide range of bungee ropes and shock cords available to suit your needs. Have a chat with our friendly team of professionals today for further advice.