Note: This article was published in 2012. Software versions, prices, settings, apps and services mentioned may have changed or been discontinued since then — please check current information before relying on it.

With mobile phone technology going through several drastic changes every year, chances are good you have several outdated cellphones lying around your house, gathering dust in a drawer or buried in a box of old computer cables. Don’t let them languish any longer! We show what you can do with your old cellphones.

A little ingenuity can turn an old phone into a new alarm clock, photo frame, music player, or something else entirely. Here are some things to do with your old cellphones when you update your technology.

1. Turn it into an alarm clock.

Don’t be fooled into paying a lot for a portable alarm clock to bring on road trips or when traveling when you don’t need anything but an old phone. If you have an alarm function on your phone, it can be a lightweight alarm clock for when you travel. Experiment with ringtones, as you may be able to customize your ringtone more than you could tweak a store-bought alarm. You can even set your phone to vibrate while it goes off, so you can tuck it under your pillow and be sure you’ll wake up from a sound sleep.

2. Play music, games, and videos.

Even old phones have rudimentary games, so if your kids are in danger of getting bored on a road trip, pull out your phone and let them play Snake until they fall asleep! The newer your phone, the more entertainment options you’re likely to have. Even regular phones without app capabilities usually come with some games built in. New phones allow you to play mp3s and other music files that you transfer onto the phone, and the newest ones also have video capabilities. You might be able to store a movie or some music videos to entertain the kids or yourself.

3. Make a digital photo frame.

Why spend money on an expensive digital photo frame when you can make your own from old cellphones? You can add photos to your phone, and you may be able to configure a slideshow while it sits on your bedside table or office desk. If you enjoy crafts, you can add a base or a frame around it to turn it into a real photo frame, too.

4. Put an emergency camera in your glovebox.

You might have a digital camera you prefer to use already, but if your phone has a camera with at least a few megapixels, you can put it in your glovebox or purse in case you see a photo opportunity and don’t have your camera with you. Have you ever found yourself trying to take a picture, only to find your phone battery is dead? Make sure you’ll always be able to snap a shot of a memorable moment or hilarious incident you stumble upon by keeping an old cellphone with you.

5. Donate or recycle your old phone.

Programs have been created to allow you to recycle an old phone in exchange for reward points, cash, or even Amazon gift cards. Look up one of these programs, or donate your phone to a cause like a spousal abuse center, military program, fire department, or another cell phone reuse program. You can earn karma or monetary rewards this way, and you’ll get rid of spare phones if you have several old cellphones to reuse.

Don’t let changing mobile technology discourage you from making good use of the phones you paid handsome prices for! These are all great uses for an old cellphone you won’t use again, and will help rid your house of electronic clutter.