10 Tin Can Crafts DIY Ideas | Upcycling

These DIY tin can crafts ideas will remind you of how wonderful it is to upcycle and reuse scraps – like empty tin cans – and give them a new purpose. Keep Mother Earth a bit cleaner by checking out these unique projects!

10 Tin Can Crafts

If you’re reading this article I’m going to take a guess that you’re a crafter, creator, or a DIY fan. I myself, am constantly looking for ways to reuse, recycle, up-cycle, and re-purpose things instead of trashing them. When I first moved off the grid I stocked up on non-perishable food items which left me with a lot of tin and steel cans. I would make regular trips to recycle what I could and one day while cleaning out my workshop I noticed I had a lot of little items that needed a place to be stored, and that’s where it all began for me.

Today I am going to share with you 10 DIY project ideas for re-purposing those tin cans into something useful.

Around The Workshop

Why waste money on storage containers for your nails, screws, nuts, and bolts when you can turn an old tin can into something useful? After the cans are cleaned and dried look for any rough or sharp parts that might cut you and sand it down. I liked the rustic look of the old can so I left them as the were and used gorilla tape to label them but you can decorate them however you see fit.

Candle Making

I use big coffee cans for melting down wax to make candles. I just clean out the can, remove the paper, let it dry, toss in my wax, and place it on the wood stove. When it’s melted I begin dipping my wick for stick candles. You can also use the cans to make the candles in and use just like they are. If I do make candles in the cans I like to use tuna cans and make citronella candles for outdoors.

Decorative Candle Holders

You can print or draw your designs on paper. You’ll need: Nails, Hammer, Can, Pattern, Spray Paint (if desired). All you have to do is fill the can with water and put it in the freezer until it’s solid, this allows you to make the holes. Once it’s frozen you can take a rubber band to hold the pattern in place and make your nail holes. When it’s done place a tea light candle and enjoy.

Seed Starters & Flower Planters

16-ounce cans work great for seedlings. Use a hammer and nail to put drainage holes in the bottom of the can, this allows the excess water to drain and prevent any root rot or mold. Add your topsoil and plant away.

Feed Scoop

The bigger coffee cans make nice feed scoops. If you save the lids you can even store the food in the cans and in the morning all you have to do is pour some feed. If you want to add a handle that’s possible too. An old cabinet handle makes a pretty decent handle. You put the handle in place and mark the screw holes, hammer them out, and screw the handle into place.

Make Holiday Decorations

I saw some really cute ideas for tin can holiday decorations. A little construction paper, glue, cotton balls, and imagination go a long way with this one. You can even incorporate the tin can candle holders with the scenery by making pumpkins, Christmas trees, Hanukkah candles, etc.

Change Banks

Tin cans with lids are great for this project. You can be as simple or intricate as you please. Some people just slit a hole in the lid and leave the can as it is, while others go all out and turn it into an actual Piggy Bank.

Tiny Cakes

This one is super easy. Take a 12-16 ounce can and fill it halfway with your cake batter. Bake it at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes. You can eat them out of the can once it cools or tap them out and decorate.

Watering Cans

This works better when you have rain barrels in the garden. Punch holes into the bottom of a coffee can, at the top of the can punch two holes opposite each other so you can fashion a handle. I just use hemp cord or twine as a handle. Take your can, dip it in the water, and swing your can over the plants to water them. For less water and a lighter sprinkle make smaller holes and less of them, for more water make bigger holes.

Food Storage

Tin cans with plastic lids make great food storage for dried goods. I use them for my oats, rice and many other dried goods in my home.

Check out more awesome tin can crafts in this video:

Re-purposing can be creative and fun. Kids love crafts and finding new ways to use their creative and artistic minds. Heck, I’m grown and I still look! For all of those DIY fans out there, go have some fun with these ideas and show us what you come up with. Happy Crafting!

Do you have more tin can crafts in mind? Feel free to drop us a line in the comments below and let's swap creative ideas!

Can't get enough of these tin can crafts ideas? Check out this roundup of 10 cute recycle soda cans to DIY and sell!