Though mason jars are often thought of as the Supreme Pinterest Beings, there’s a new container in town that just might give the mason jar a run for its money when it comes to crafting. Introducing the tin can, a versatile, cheap household item that everyone either already has, or can have when they finish that can of chicken noodle soup that’s been sitting in the cupboard for months.
Tin cans might not seem very extraordinary, but with the right amount of time and effort, you can turn a tin can into an awesome craft, useful DIY project, or charming decoration. Below, we’ve put together 20 amazing DIY tin can ideas for your crafting pleasure. Step aside, mason jar: It’s the tin can’s time to shine.
#1. Cook banana or zucchini bread using a tin can instead of a pan.
#2. Decoupage tin cans and hang them from your trees as decorations.
#3. Spray paint tin cans with copper and turn them into adorable planters.
#4. Another great idea for planters is to cover tin cans in wallpaper.
#5. When it comes to tin can planters, there are basically no limits in how you can decorate them or hang them.
#6. Use a decorated tin can to store your brushes and combs.
#7. Turn a tin can into a retro spotlight, perfect for a reading room or for lighting on your shelves.
#8. Create cute lanterns out of tin cans and wire.
#9. Use a tin can as an outdoor beverage holder.
#10. Or, DIY some tin cans with a birch wood finish to make more planters for your home.
#11. Fashion an old tin can into a DIY lamp.
#12. Use a painted tin can to hold your plastic bags.
#13. Hang a tin can for use as a bird feeder.
#14. Upcycle your tin cans into cutlery holders.
#15. Punch holes in tin cans for these interesting votive candle holders.
#16. Create kitchen canisters from coffee or soup cans.
#17. Make a wind chime from tin cans and lids.
#18. Turn a tin can into a tiny drum, a perfect toy for your toddler!
#19. Stack and glue decorated tin cans to turn them into an awesome desk organizer.
#20. Use a rubber keyboard to encapsulate a tin can, creating a clever desk organizer.
Bonus: Creative Ways to Use Muffin Tins
Organize arts & crafts supplies
Keep stock of your arts and crafts supplies, using a muffin tin. Organize supplies in plastic cups and store in the tin. You’ll be prepared to start on your next project!
Dye easter eggs easily
If you’re dying Easter eggs with the little ones, a muffin tin makes a great color dye holder. It’s easy for kids to dip in, while also eliminating potential messes. Plus, there’s no need to clean multiple different cups with this hack.
Use as a condiment tray
Repurpose a muffin tin as a condiment tray for your next cookout. Simply place ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles, and other condiments of choice in each cup. Now, all you need to do is fire up the grill!
Display candles
Hosting a dinner party? Present candles in a unique way, using a muffin tin. How neat!
Organize jewelry
Organize jewelry using a muffin tin. That way, you can see all your options clearly, and in a rush, you can easily pick up and go. Awesome!
Organize hair accessories
As women, we understand our need for hair accessory organizers. From bobby pins to hair ties and everything in between, use a muffin tin to keep hair goodies all together. This also makes getting ready in the morning faster, as you can just grab and go.
Make an at-home beer flight
Create a fun experience in the comfort of your own home. Using a muffin tin, pour different types of beer into each glass to make an at-home beer flight. This option is awesome, economical, and super fun!
Oven bake eggs
Perfectly cook eggs in the oven using a muffin tin. Simply place one egg in each cup, and bake. Remove carefully, let cool, then peel and enjoy.
Serve oysters professionally
Serve oysters like a professional with this crafty display. In each cup, set ice and an oyster. Add a slice of lemon for both flavor and presentation. Fancy!
Craft DIY bath bombs
Bath bomb are, well, the bomb. They’re both relaxing and colorful, but tend to get pricey. Create your own DIY bath bombs at home, using a muffin tin, to customize scents and colors.
Freeze giant ice cubes
It’s summertime, and warm weather calls for icy cold drinks. Make giant ice cubes by pouring water into a muffin tin and placing the tin in the freezer. Add a slice of lemon or lime for extra taste.
Plant a succulent garden
Plant a small succulent garden using a muffin tin. This is a great option for city dwellers who are limited on space. Plus, this garden is very low maintenance.
Transport drinks
Transport multiple drinks by placing filled glasses in a muffin tin. This not only prevents spills, but also keeps drinks organized. A great option for movie night with the kids or time outdoors.
Stabilize a wobbly chair
There’s nothing more irritating than a unstable chair. If you find yourself in this situation, simply grab a muffin tin and place it under the shorted leg, giving the chair that much needed boost. This is a quick, and easy way, to solve the problem!
Use as a paint palette
Painting is great, but it’s not always easy to keep the colors from mixing. Use a muffin tin to keep paint colors separated, without hindering the creative process. Now, you’re ready to create a masterpiece.
Melt used crayons
If your kids have a bunch of broken pieces of crayons, re-create new ones by melting them down in a muffin tin. Let cool and you’ll have brand new, fun-shaped crayons.
Display taco shells
Host Taco Tuesday in a unique way! Place taco shells in the indents of the muffin tin, serving as a taco holder. This takes multi-tasking to the next level.
Construct a bird feeder
Create your own DIY bird feeder using a muffin tin. This is not only great for the birds, but can be a fun family project. So sweet!
Use as an ornament holder
Ornaments can be fragile, easily sliding or breaking in their boxes. Use a muffin tin to store ornaments, ensuring their safety during the 11 months of the year they’re being unused. Plus, with it’s round shape, the ornaments fit perfectly.
Make homemade peanut butter cups
We all love peanut butter cups, and now you can easily make them at home. Using a muffin tin, place dough and chocolate peanut butter cup candy. Bake and enjoy!
Grid out seedlings
Use a muffin tin to prep your garden for planting seeds. The impressions from the muffin tin not only creates depth, but also ensure the plants are equally placed. Cool!
Keep coins organized
Keep coins organized by using a muffin tin. This is a great option for kids, helping them to easily learn to count coins.
Stand ice cream cones
This is perfect for an ice cream party. Utilize a muffin tin as an ice cream cone holder, holding cones upright as you prepare to scoop ice cream. How cool!
Make a fondue platter
Make this fun fondue platter at home, using cheese, chocolate, or both! Place a variety of treats in each cup, creating an enjoyable eating experience. Cute!
Organize your pet’s toys
We love our pets, but they’re toys tend to get scattered everywhere. Keep your beloved pet’s toys organized by using a muffin tin. This hack will definitely keep your more home tidy.
Fast serve ice cream
Place muffin liners in each cup and scoop ice cream into a muffin tin. This makes it easy to serve to guests at a party or outdoor barbecue. Looks delicious!
Uphold stuffed bell peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are both healthy and delicious, but once they’re filled, they tend to get a bit top heavy and sometimes tip over. Avoid this cooking mishap and ensure they stay upright, by placing stuffed bell peppers in a muffin tin. Place in the oven and bake.
Create a personalized gift
Looking for a last minute gift? Try crafting this unique decor item for someone special! You can personalize the muffin tin with pictures and pendants, truly making it one of a kind.
Create a dessert topping station
Use a muffin tin as a dessert topping station. This is great for children’s birthday parties or events, providing variety but also eliminating excessive waste.
Preserve fresh juice
Make mini pies
Use a muffin tin to bake mini pies as a splendid summertime treat. Simply cut pastry sheets to size and add a small amount of fruit. Then, pop the tin into the oven and bake delicious, personalized pies.
Use as a snack tray
Make a snack tray at home, conveniently using a muffin tin. Fill each individual cup with a different snack. Set on the table and you’re ready!
Make jello cups
Make mini jello cups with a muffin tin. For adults, add alcohol to make jello shots.
Craft a countdown calendar
Kids love holiday countdown calendars, and this year, opt to make your own out of a few supplies you have around the house, including a muffin tin. Decorate as you please, adding sweet treats under each day. Super fun!
Feed your pets
Slow down your dog’s food consumption or help multiple pups learn to share using a muffin tin. This unexpected use is very helpful!
Organize the garage
Garages can be difficult to keep neat. Opt for a muffin tin to organize all the nuts and bolts in your garage.
Bake buttermilk biscuits
There’s nothing better than some warm, buttery buscuits. Using a muffin tin, make this comfort food in the comfort of your own home. You won’t regret it!
Keep buttons organized
Buttons tend to get lost overtime. Save them by repurposing a muffin tin as a button organizer. If you’re feeling ambitious, feel free to color-code.
Freeze excess soup
It’s not always easy to make the right amount of soup for yourself or your family. Instead of tossing the excess away, store smaller soup portions in a muffin tin. These small, individual portions make it easy to re-heat and are perfect for transporting to work.
Bake mini meatloafs
Looking for a snack that’s both healthy and hearty? Bake mini meatloafs to satisfy your cravings, using a muffin tin. Enjoy!