My general attitude toward most gear and gadgets — kid-specific or not — is that you probably don’t need it. But a few household items are so useful and multifunctional they deserve special treatment.

When my publisher and I were dreaming up a fun thank you gift to send to the first Parent Hacks book readers, we wanted to choose one of these magical multitaskers. Something you could put to use as soon as it arrived in the mail.

After much brainstorming we hit upon it…a silicone baking cup!

You know those disposable paper liners you use when baking cupcakes or muffins? They also come in flexible, heat-safe, silicone, and are useful for way more than baking.

If you’re scratching your head wondering why would I need a silicone baking cup?, read on, because I’ve compiled 10 uses for silicone baking cups, and I’m sure there are more I haven’t thought of.

1. Separate items in a lunch box

For the bento-box inclined, these make perfect separators for small servings of fruit or other goodies you don’t want rolling around inside the box.

2. Individual snack- or dip bowls

Kid-sized servings of goldfish crackers, jello, mini pretzels, grapes, nuts…also good for holding dip for vegies and chips.

3. Organize craft- and office supplies

Great for beads, paper clips, and other tiny parts that tend to migrate as you use them.

4. Keep game pieces together on the table

This one comes from my husband, the board game designer. He has his very own set of silicone baking cups so each player can use one to hold small game pieces.

5. Keeping your car’s cup holder clean

I like this tip so much it appears in the book. You know how kids use the car’s cup holders for collecting rocks, wrappers and other flotsam? Pop a baking liner in there for easy cleaning.

6. Prep bowls for cooking ingredients

Use a baking cup to hold pre-measured seasonings and ingredients so you can streamline cooking dinner.

7. Egg poachers

My daughter loves to eat poached eggs. I don’t love to cook them. At least I didn’t till I found this effortless method for poaching eggs in a silicone baking cup.

8. Furniture hardware holder

Another one from my husband, AKA Builder of All Ikea Furniture. He keeps all the hardware bits together using his trusty set of baking cups.

9. Hold your jewelry

I take my jewelry off before I get in the shower, and I’m paranoid I’ll knock my earrings into the sink and down the drain. These make perfect little holders.

10. A LEGO minifig hot tub (and other pretend play)

Now that you’re dazzled by the awesomeness of silicone baking cups, here’s how to get yours! 

Don’t Miss This Black Friday Deal!

Buy PARENT HACKS between November 25-28, 2016 and get a FREE set of 12 reusable silicone cupcake liners!

1. Purchase PARENT HACKS at your favorite online- or brick-and-mortar bookstore between Friday, November 25 and Monday, November 28, 2016.
2. Email BOTH your order confirmation or a picture of your receipt AND your mailing address to parenthacksdeals@gmail.com.

That’s it! You’ll receive your free gift in the mail before December 25!