This has some cute ideas too :
http://www.makingfriends.com/readers_film_canister.htm
"One of my favorite crafts for kids is to decorate empty film canisters and attach a plastic clip to it. The kids love to hook these to their belt loops or backpacks and fill themwith something they want to keep handy. We have instructions on-line to make personal first aid kits and the lip gloss holder available here."
Stamps:"Glue foam shapes to the top of the lids to make easy-to-hold rubber stamp for little hands" --J's mom, Alabama
Bubble Necklace "Cut a small wand out of plastic canvas. Hot glue it to the inside top of an empty white film canister. Tie and glue a ribbon around the canister to hang from your neck. Fill with bubble mixture. Decorate with stickers, jewels, and paint pens." --Karin W., Olympia, Washington
Mini Hair Accessories Holder:"Glue a strip of colorful felt around the canister and then glue a circle on the top of the lid. Then decorate with sequins, small seed beads,etc. Wrap ponytail holders around the outside and put clips are barrettes in the inside." --Lynda S., Sioux Falls SD
Learning about the Sense of Smell: "Punch holes in the top of canisters, and put a cotton ball inside each one with various smelly things such as vinegar, lemon juice, perfume, cinnamon. Pass around and have kids describe the smells." --Anonymous
Bug Collecting Kit : "Tie the film canister to one end of a string and a laundry scoop to the other along with a small coffee scoop or plastic spoon. Tie on a hook so the kids can hook it to their belt loop while they are on their nature adventure. Decorate the canister with a fun foam bug shape or with paint pens."
--Michelle A., Rowlett, Texas
Alka Seltzer Rockets: "Fill a clear film canister half way full of water and add a 1/4 tablet of Alka Seltzer. Quickly put the lid on and turn it upside-down on the side walk. The canister should shoot up in a second or two." --Nichole, Copperton UT