Who doesn’t love free craft supplies? Everyone has a few old tin cans on hand, so let’s upcycle those tins into something useful. This list of 32 tin can crafts includes everything from a tin can lampshade and even a tin can wreath!
Organization tin can crafts
Who knew there were so many craft ideas for old tins?! This list brings new life to your recyclables, from organization ideas to seasonal crafts, there is a tin can craft for everyone on this list, including kids! Be sure to empty, rinse, and clean the tin cans before starting a craft. Also, beware of sharp edges while crafting.
1. Craft Caddy
This colorful craft caddy is perfect for corralling craft supplies and carrying from room to room. Find the tutorial at Made Everyday.
2. Pen organizer
Duck tape and a Sharpie marker transform this tin can into the perfect spot for writing utensils.
3. Desk organizer
Create a desk organizer out of tin cans and then wrap it in corks to make a fun cork board! Find the complete tutorial at Reduce, Reuse, Redecorate.
4. Tin can caddy
Turn 9 tin cans and a lazy susan into a craft organization masterpeice! See more at Cynthia Schaffer.
5. Hairbrush storage
This wins the most unique tin can storage idea! Cut the bottom out of a tin can and attach it to the inside of a cabinet to store a hair brush. Tins cans can be turned into so many unique storage containers! See the tutorial at The Creative Imperative.
6. Art caddy
Instead of painting the tin cans, use scrapbook paper or fabric to decorate the tin cans. Find more at Craft a Doodle Doo.
Seasonal tin can crafts
Turn tin cans into snowmen and pumpkins and everything in between!
7. Snowman wind chime
Turn 3 tin cans and some DIY puffy paint into an adorable snowman wind chime. Consider using bottle caps as buttons! Find the complete tutorial at hands on as we go.
8. Christmas tree
Turn three different sized tin cans into an adorable Christmas tree the kids can decorate. Find more at Babble Dabble Do.
9. Cookie gift
What a fun way to package homemade cookies! Clean the tin can, add a festive wrapper and tie cookies in cellophane! See the full tutorial at 30 Days.
10. DIY Tin can lanterns
Use a drill and a template to create pumpkin, ghost, and cat luminaries! Add a battery powered candles (these work great!) for instant Halloween lanterns or candle holder! See the details at the Paper Mama.
11. Tin can trick
This is the perfect trick for an April Fool’s Day or a a practical joke any day! Simply use a can opener to open a tin can from the bottom, then fill with something totally different than label shows. See the full tutorial at Our Best Bites.
12. Teacher application gift
Use duck tape to decorate the tin can and add a free printable label and pens for your favorite teacher!
13. 4th of July windsock
Drill 4 holes, add ribbon and stars and you’ve got yourself a patriotic wind sock! See the tutorial at Stephanie Lynn.
14. Christmas tree ornaments
Grab a hammer and turn tin cans into gorgeous lanterns on a Christmas tree! Find the full tutorial for not denting the tin can while punching the design at Thinking Closet.
15. Glowing table numbers
Similar to the lanterns above. 100 Layer Cake shared this idea to make punched tin cans as table numbers for a party. I love how the inside of the tin can is painted pink!
Tin Can Kid Crafts
Grab googly eyes, scissors, a hot glue gun, washi tape, and acrylic paint to turn old tins into colorful crafts for kids!
16. Animal tin cans
Turn tin cans or even empty plastic containers into cute animals!
17. Totem poll
Oringially from Spoonful.com.
18. Paint with a tin can
Use a tin can to make art! Kids will love rolling a tin can in paint and then watching the magic happen on paper. Find the details at Toddler Approved.
19. Tin can creatures
Make tin can garden creatures out of tin cans. Find the tutorial at MVEM.
Home decor tin can crafts
20. Tin can lamp
Who would have thought a simple tin can would make such a great lampshade? Find the details of this tin can desk lamp at Those Northern Skies.
21. Tin can wreath
Have you ever thought about using tin cans to make a wreath? You can make your own or buy one at Starling Ink Etsy shop.
22. Wall mural
Clare Graham turned tin can lids into a one of kind wall treatment. See a close up at Insteading.
Tin Can Garden Crafts
Gather your hammer, nails, and spray paint to complete these tin can crafts.
23. Container wall garden
Jenny Darling created this one of a kind wall garden with tin cans.
24. Modern tin can pots
Who knew crumpled tin cans painted a solid color looked so chic as planters? More details at Family Chic.
25. DIY Bird feeders
Turn a tin can sideways, fill with bird seed and hang in the tree for the birds. See the complete tutorial at Mom Endeavors.
26. Indoor garden screen
Create space for an indoor vertical garden with tin cans and a room divider.
27. Outdoor drink holder
Turn a tin can and a metal rod into an outdoor drink holder. Find the full tutorial at Positively Splendid.
28. Trio of vases
Tin cans and a little paint make for cute vases for flowers. Find the tutorial at Two Delighted.
29. Wind chime
Turn 5 tin cans into a colorful wind chime with this tutorial from Parents.
30. Hanging tin can garden
Drill holes in the bottom of a few tin cans and hang together with twine for a space saving herb garden. Full tutorial at Upcycled Stuff.
Food crafts with tin cans
31. Mini cakes
Who knew cakes looks so cute when bakes in tin cans? See the tutorial at Oh Happy Day.
32. Apple pie
Who knew baking apple pie in a tin can was so cute?
What tin can craft is your fave? I love those crumpled tin can vases! I’d love to hear…
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Comments & Reviews
I’m a container freak and I have way to many! I end up throwing many of them just to make
room! ( I guess make room for more) Thank you for the ideas!! Now I can do something
useful with some of them!!!!!
Love the Christmas tree ornaments and container wall – thanks for the ideas!
These are all such great ideas. I am always looking for new crafts I can try whenever I have spare time. I especially loved the cute animals you could make with the tins.
Apple Pie in a can: WHERE’S THE RECIPE? OMG? WHERE IS IT?
Thanks for the feature!!
Great…except what’s the secret to painting tin cans?!
I’ve tried acrylic paint, emulsion and even bathroom sealant paint. I’ve sanded the cans. I’ve used pva. The list goes on…
So far, every can has peeled instantly.
If i need to buy expensive sealants and / or primers it defies the point…I try to make nice looking things because I cannot afford to buy them.
Mix equal parts of Modge Podge and Acrylic paint! Paint and let dry between coats.
I haven’t tried this but my plan is to ruff it up lightly with sand paper, if that doesn’t do the job I’m going to hit it with an inexpensive primer. Depending how much of the surface I intend to paint a spray primer should work well.
You are right, I am going to start hoarding tin cans now! I am absolutely in love with the number, glowing can project!
What a bunch of fabulous ideas! Love them all….thanks so much for including mine. 🙂
Nancy
No problemo! Thank you for making really awesome things 🙂
So excited to try some of these out!!! looking for another project after this… http://www.pinkroller.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/patchwork-magic.html
Great list – I am for sure going to share this.
Thanks so much for including me and my punched tin ornaments in your awesome round-up, Jamie! Off to share!
That was my favourite craft!
I have a bit of a can hoarding problem because I use them to gift homemade chocolate covered caramel corn at Christmas, but so SO MANY of these ideas look great to me! I will pin for later use!
I love the idea of using tin cans as gift wrap… genius!