Crafts made out of baby food jars

50+ Fantastic Ways to Re-Use Baby Food Jars

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Last updated on March 29, 2022

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50+ baby food jar crafts and creative ways to re-use baby food jars so you don’t have to put throw them in the trash.

If you’ve had a baby in recent years, there’s a good chance you’ve acquired quite a collection of baby food jars. Baby food jars ares so cute and chubby, and such a great size. If you’re like me, you find it hard to thrown them away. If that’s the case, your baby food jar collection could be growing at an alarming rate, and you’re probably looking for things to make with all of those jars.

Well, you’re in luck! One of my Facebook followers recently asked for ways that she could re-purpose her baby food jars, and the HH community responded with dozens of great crafts made with baby food jars along with practical ways to use baby food jars in and around the home.

I’ve gathered up their best suggestions and added a few of my own favourite uses for baby food jars, and I’ve come up with this long list of ideas for you.

From the craft room to the classroom to the bathroom and beyond, here are over 50 ways for you to use leftover baby food jars so you don’t have to toss them out.

50+ Baby Food Jar Crafts

Click on the links below to see project details.

Ways to use baby food jars in the classroom or craft room:

Crayon Caddy: Paint several baby food jars and store co-ordinating, coloured crayons in them.
Fill baby food jars with water, and set on the art table to rinse paint brushes in.
Give each student in the class a baby food jar filled with cream, and make homemade butter together.
Make a mini “ocean in a jar” in a baby food jar. Pretty on classroom window sill or fun to play with.
Soak dried out markers in baby food jars to make liquid watercolour paint.
Make and store homemade finger paint in baby food jars.
Baby food jars make great paint and glue pots at the easel. Lids keep them from drying out between uses.
Punch holes in the lids (with a nail) and use jars to store and dispense glitter.
Make I-Spy Jars in baby food jars.
Make collection jars for the preschool classroom.
Fill with small amounts of water for syringe transfer work trays in preschool or kindergarten
Paint tall baby food jars with food coloring, water and glue for a frosted look. Store pens, pencils and paintbrushes in them.

Things to make for kids with baby food jars:

Play dough jars: fill several baby food jars with different colours of homemade play dough for a kids’ gift basket.
Set some baby food jars out in the rain and make this scented rain paint.
In the play kitchen: fill baby food jars with flour, rice, lentils etc. Glue the lids on, and kids can pretend-cook with them.
Bug Jars – wrap a pipe cleaner handle around the top, and go exploring in the yard.
Make these cute and quirky emoji jars for a kid’s dresser or desk.
Glue painted toy animals on baby food jar lids, use as party favours.
Fill with homemade slime or silly putty to put in loot bags.
Make a tooth fairy jar.
Teach kids how to manage their allowance with 3 tall baby food jars labeled SPEND, SAVE, BANK.
Make an advent or countdown calendar.
Fill baby food jars with layers of “coloured sand” (ground sidewalk chalk mixed with salt).
Use baby food jars to make mini lava-lamps.

Ways to re-use baby food jars in the kitchen:

Make magnetic spice jars to store on the refrigerator door
Organize your spice drawer with baby food jars.
Make Smore’s treats in baby food jars. Hand them out around the campfire or at a party.
Make a window-sill herb garden with baby food jars.
Fill baby food jars with condiments for camping or a bbq.
Sterilize jars and lids, and reuse baby food jars for homemade baby food. The serving sizes are perfect.

Gifts and party favours to make with baby food jars:

Baby food jars make great wedding favours. Decorate and place at each table setting.
These baby food jar lanterns were hung in a tree at an outdoor wedding.
Make Lego Head Jars as party favours for a Lego party.
Make mini calming jars for kids or co-workers
Make a wish jars or dream jars for your family and friends.
Give a gift of homemade bath salts or sugar scrub in a baby food jar.
Make these cupcakes in a jar to give to teachers, neighbours and friends.
Make a craft kit for a child by filling jars with pom poms, sequins, foam stickers, and beads.
Hot Cocoa in a baby food jar: layer hot chocolate, shaved chocolate and mini marshmallows in a jar. Cover the lid with a swatch of fabric tied with a ribbon.

Other ways to use baby food jars around the home and garden:

Store pony tail holders, Q-tips, and hair clips in baby food jars on the bathroom counter.
Make a spill proof nail-polish remover kit with a baby food jar.
Plant succulents in baby food jars to display on a porch or patio.
Hang these colourful baby food luminaries from a tree in your yard.
Baby food jars are great for storing seeds for the garden.
Make Photo Globes by placing your child’s photo inside a baby food jar.
Organize your spare change: each jar holds a different type of coin.
Use baby food jars to hold paper clips, thumb tacks etc. on a desk or in a drawer in an office.
Travel jewelry keeper for earrings and rings.
A Mini sewing kit in a baby food jar is great for travel or the office.
Fill baby food jars with Puffs, fishy crackers, Cheerios, nuts etc. Keep in the diaper bag for the kids.
Nail the lids of baby food jars to the underside of a shelf to store screws, nails and craft supplies.
Store several baby wipes in a baby food jar and keep in your purse or diaper bag.

Baby food jar Christmas crafts:

Turn a baby food jar into a snowman Christmas tree ornament.
Make festive holiday votive candle holders.
Make sparkly tea light luminaries in baby food jars.
Baby food jars make great miniature snow globes.
Make Reindeer food for Christmas Eve.

What if you STILL have leftover baby food jars?

If you have more baby food jars than you could possibly ever use, even after reviewing all of the ideas, please consider giving your collection to a teacher, a crafter or a daycare provider. Most will be happy to put your little glass jars to good use.

Looking for more crafts to make with your recyclables? Check out:

Re-purposed Denim Craft Aprons

Re-purposed Denim Bibs

25 Creative Ways to Re-use your Keurig’s K-Cups

22 Ways to Re-Use Cardboard Tubes

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Jackie Currie

Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.

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Reader Interactions

24 Clever Baby Food Jar Crafts – It’s all about Repurposing!

I love glass jars of any kind because you can reuse and repurpose them in so many different ways, and they’ll last forever.

My friend is a new mother and she’s been handing over all her empty baby food jars to me because they’re just so small and cute and I love them!

I knew I had to find something to do with them before my stockpile became unmanageable, so I thought I’d let you in on the wonderful ideas that I found.

Jump to:

S’mores in a Jar
Photo Globes
Storage Plaque
Paint Dipped Vases
Dyed Luminaries
Spice Jars
Mini Rainbow Cakes
Hanging Planter
Under-the-Shelf Storage
Topiary Treats
Small Storage
Lego Heads
Mini Pincushion
Nail Polish Remover Jar
Sugar Scrub
Candles
Chalkboard Paint Organizers
Salt and Pepper Shakers
Teacher’s Gift
Snow Globes
Kid’s Crafts Organizer
Snowman Ornaments
Nightlights
Hummingbird Feeder

S’mores in a Jar

Everyone loves s’mores right? This cute and tasty craft makes excellent gifts – you can hand over a few for people to warm up and toast in their ovens at home.

If you’re a real fan of this classic campfire treat, then you may enjoy this incredible s’more dip too!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – PharMa

Photo Globes

These are sort of like snow globes, except you actually put photos in the jars instead of snowmen or Santas.

These would look so cute all resting on your mantelpiece, or they could make excellent Christmas gifts when the time finally comes around.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – DesignMom

Storage Plaque

When laid on their sides, these jars make excellent little storage compartments, so all you need to do is attach them to a plaque which you can then mount on the wall.

You can keep all your Q-tips, bobby pins, nail files etc. neat and tidy.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – OhHowCrafty

Paint Dipped Vases

Instead of having one large vase full of flowers, why not take a more modern and minimalist approach with a series of small paint dipped vases?

It’s such a simple thing to do, yet it can make such a big impact.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Apples&Onions and OhHappyDay

Dyed Luminaries

How gorgeous are these multicolored luminaries? They’d really brighten up your garden in the summer, especially if you’re having people over for a barbecue or just a nice evening out under the stars. There’s just something so magical about lights in the trees.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – InspiredByFamilia

Spice Jars

These small jars are just the right size to store spices and make your kitchen look a little prettier.

You can either paint the jars and just stand them somewhere, or you can attach magnets to the lids and store them on the side of your fridge for easy access!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – AtThePicketFence and Dav.I.Son

Mini Rainbow Cakes

I’m not quite sure why, but I just love eating treats out of jars. If you have a whole collection of these empty jars then you could use them to make these stunning little rainbow cakes – you’ll be happy about the portion size! They’re perfect for a kid’s party or even a baby shower.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MakeLifeLovely

Hanging Planter

I am in love with this project! The planter looks so beautiful with the bursts of color from the flowers, and adding in some tea lights would create lovely lighting, too. It’s such a great idea, and luckily it’s not too difficult a task!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MakeLifeLovely

Under-the-Shelf Storage

Physical space is sometimes a bit of an issue when it comes to storage, which is why I am so in love with this idea!

The handy jars can hold all your little bits and bobs, and since they’re tucked away, hanging underneath the shelf, they won’t get in the way.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CraftinessIsNotOptional

Topiary Treats

These jelly bean jars with charming little felt flowers are just so endearing! They make perfect little decorations for kitchen teas or parties, which double up to become party favors when the guests make their way home.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – SugarTotDesigns

Small Storage

These glass jars really make fantastic little storage solutions for any small items you may have from coins to hair clips to little sewing kits.

You can even use them to keep your jewelry safe when packing. All you need to do is make them look pretty and you’re good to go!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – LovelyEtc.

Lego Heads

I can’t believe that I’ve never noticed that baby food jars have the exact same shape as Lego heads! What a revelation! I don’t even care what I store in these; I’m climbing up the Lego fandom ladder and making myself a whole population of these!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – HandmadeCharlotte and UniqueAndChicCreations

Mini Pincushion

A baby food jar is just the right size for an adorable mini pincushion like this with space for little buttons. And it’s such a quick, easy and cheap craft to make – you’ll only need a couple of minutes. You can also make these with empty pill bottles.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CraftPudding

Nail Polish Remover Jar

This little homemade contraption is wonderful for getting your nail polish off in a hurry. It’s really easy to make since all you need to do is shove some sponge into the jar and pour in the nail polish remover so that when the time comes, you can just rub each nail clean.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – BellaShoot

Sugar Scrub

Sugar scrubs are fantastic because they help moisturize and soften your skin, and thanks to these little jars, you know have packaging for some soothing homemade body and lip sugar scrubs. Just make a nice label and you have the perfect gift!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CincyShopper and HonestlyWTF

Candles

Isn’t this just so creative? Someone had the clever idea of making a collection of candles in these little baby jars and it’s absolutely brilliant! You get to experiment with different scents, and you can play around with pretty decorations, too.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – DearBeautifulYou

Chalkboard Paint Organizers

You can store a whole lot of hair accessories (and other small items like craft supplies) in these little jars for some organized storage. And the chalkboard lids are genius, since you can reuse and relabel them over and over again.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MapleMemories

Salt and Pepper Shakers

Don’t these just look so much better than regular salt and pepper shakers? You can decorate them however you wish, and you can even make a whole collection of interesting flavored salts too!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – DreamALittleBigger

Teacher’s Gift

If your little one really appreciates his or her teacher and wants to express that, then get them to help you make these cute little gifts. We all know the custom of giving a teacher an apple, but I think they’d much prefer an apple-looking jar filled with treats!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – The36thAvenue

Snow Globes

One thing I’ve learnt is that it’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas decorations and presents. So you can get a head start and make these lovely little snow globes. I’d love a whole collection of different ones showcased on my windowsills.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CraftaholicsAnonymous

Kid’s Crafts Organizer

Make sure that your little one keeps all their crayons, markers, pencils and other little crafts neat and tidy with this simple jar organizer. The color coding makes it easier to keep everything in its right place, and plus, it looks so cute!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MonkeySee,MonkeyDo

Snowman Ornaments

I love holidays and I love decorating for the holidays, but I much prefer making my own themed ornaments as opposed to purchasing. These happy little jars-turned-snowmen are perfect for Christmastime, and you can get the little ones involved in this too.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – StareIfYouMust and CrazyLittleProjects

Nightlights

Here’s another fun project that the kids can do – mini baby jar nightlights! The scraps of colored tissue paper give it a stained glass look actually; just imagine how gorgeous it would look to have a couple of these adding a soft, warm glow to your little one’s room.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – NothingButCountry

Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbirds are so lovely to look at and have around, and luckily, they’re quite easy to attract with just some sugar water. You can make your own homemade birdfeeder from some clay and a baby food jar, and you get to decorate it however you like.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – BirdsAndBlooms

Crafts from baby food jars

Search for:

The kid ate the puree with pleasure, smearing its contents on all surfaces. And the jar was carefully washed out and sent to the shelf to its fellows. What to do with her?

There are a lot of ideas for using glass baby food jars. Website "Mom can do anything!" collected the most interesting of them. nine0003

Needle cases. From glass jars it is easy to make such cute pincushions that can fit buttons and other small handicraft things.
Houses for fairies. If you are fond of modeling, then you should try to make such a delightful house for fairies.
Aquarium. A jar is a small aquarium for a toy fish. Pour soil inside, install algae - the craft is ready. You can also mold plasticine fish together with your child and place them in a jar. nine0016
Terrarium. Plant moss and other small, low-maintenance plants inside.
Decorations for the holiday. Decorate the jars with glitter, make holes in the lids and install decorative elements, letters and numbers. A very original decoration is ready.
Bird feeder. Few people realize that such delicious drinkers and bird feeders are obtained from an ordinary baby food can. In the sun, they will shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow and delight the eye. nine0016
Storage for small items. From cans, not only beautiful things are obtained, but also very practical. Screw the lids to a wooden surface and you will get very convenient containers for storing small things.
Candlesticks for the garden. Buy a lot of small candles, put each one in its own jar and hang them by ropes on tree branches. A beautiful setting for a romantic evening is ready.
Container for growing onions. Green onions are a storehouse of nutrients that are so lacking in the cold season. Growing such an onion is not difficult. Pour water into the jar, put the bulb on top, in a few days we will get the first shoots. nine0016
Pots for seedlings. It is convenient to plant parsley, dill and other herbs in small jars.
Crafts from baby food jars. Such beautiful flowers in pots are easy to make yourself with your children. We circle the palm on a green sheet of cardboard, cut it out, gluing a flower on each finger. We put it in a pot-jar - a beautiful craft is ready. Such flowers will be a great gift for mom or grandmother by March 8th.
Storage containers. In puree jars it is very convenient to store buttons, beads, beads. nine0016
Pencil holders.
Night lamps.
Snow globe. A can of baby food makes a delicious snow globe. Just stick the figurine on the lid. Pour the baby oil and glitter into the jar, close the lid tightly and shake.
Gift-treat for guests or children.
Original frames. Just place photos inside the jar.
Spice storage. Glass jars with screw-on lids keep spices fresh for a long time. nine0016
Vases for flowers. Just dip the jar in the paint and get unusual vases for small flowers.
Jelly mold. Small jars are great for making jelly. It looks beautiful and appetizing in them, one jar holds one serving, and the screw cap will help keep it in the refrigerator for a long time.
Portion desserts. In small jars it is convenient to make portioned desserts.
Refreshing cocktail in a jar.
Candles. You can read how to make these candles here. nine0016
Crafts. Small glass jars are a great base for crafts.
Rubber storage. The advantages of transparent jars are obvious - it's easy to find the right one.

How do you use jars?

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Crafts from baby food jars and tins

Hello. Can't live without needlework? Let's talk about what can be done from baby food jars? Having fed delicious puree to our beloved child, we cannot throw away an empty jar, but wash it and put it in the closet - it will suddenly come in handy. nine0003

I propose to consider several options for their use.

Contents

How to make glass baby food jars
DIY decorations for home and garden
Decoration from a glass jar for the New Year: master class

What can be done with glass baby food jars

The jars can be used for their intended purpose for food storage. So that they are not boring, they need to be decorated. Spend time doing interesting things. Get original containers for seasonings and spices, jams. This can be done in various ways. nine0003

Painting with paints

Glass jars are painted with special stained glass paints, paints on glass. They are sold in stores specializing in art supplies. The work will require certain skills, because the jars are rounded and the drawing must be applied carefully, preventing the paint from spreading.

While the paint is not dry, it can be easily washed off with water, wiped off with a cotton pad moistened with a special solvent. You can pre-paint the jar in a solid color, thus making the background for the picture. If the paints are stained glass, then the background does not need to be done. nine0003

For painting, special stencils are used, which are sold in art stores, or they find a suitable picture on their own. Having attached the drawing to the glass from the inside of the jar, you need to circle the lines on the outside and color it.

Decoupage of baby food jars

Jars decorated using decoupage technique look spectacular. The jar is painted white, preparing the background. Then stick the picture you like with decoupage glue. When a layer of paper dries, cover with decoupage varnish. Special glue and varnish can be replaced with simple PVA glue. nine0003

If you draw the symbol of the coming year on the jars, choose the right size tray or make your own out of the box, you will get a charming set of spices as a gift.

Decoupage with cloth, thread, twine

Baby food jars can be tied with thread, wrapped with twine, pasted over with braid. Although Winnie the Pooh said that an empty pot is much more valuable, it is still better that it is full. Decorated jars of jam or jam look great. nine0003

After they are filled with delicious content, close them with lids, cover with a piece of beautiful fabric and tie with a ribbon. Don't take your eyes off! A couple of such jars with different types of sweets and a wonderful gift is ready.

Small tins are useful for storing small things. It's easy to transform them, watch the video.

Decorating jars with polymer clay

An unusual way to change a plain glass jar beyond recognition is to decorate it with polymer clay. Material for creativity requires baking, and glass allows this procedure. Anything can be molded from polymer clay. For example, a real house for a gnome. nine0003

By letting your imagination run wild and with some effort, you can create a real miracle. And the best thing is that you can create with your child. Children love to make crafts.

You don't want to hide a work of art in the kitchen cabinet and take out the right container if necessary. It is better for such beauty to hang a shelf somewhere in a conspicuous place.

Jars can be carefully hung under the cabinet by attaching a metal surface to one of the cabinets, and glue magnets on the lids. You can screw the covers to the cabinet with self-tapping screws. Take a design approach to organizing space. nine0003

When decorating jars for the purpose of using them for storing food, you need to remember that the decor should not emit harmful substances.

Do-it-yourself decorations for home and garden

I'm talking about all kinds of interior things with a functional load. First of all, about candlesticks. The original candlestick is easy to make using the methods listed above. Small jars of baby puree, turning into a candlestick, can create coziness and a romantic mood in the room. nine0003

You can make vases, photo frames, chandeliers, funny figurines, needle beds and even educational toys for toddlers.

In addition to small glass jars, you can use tins from milk mixtures such as Nan, Nutrilon. They are perfect for storing pencils, scissors, and other little things. They can be painted, wrapped with twine, glued with buttons, decorated using decoupage technique. If you fasten several cans together, you get a real organizer. nine0003

Cans are used to make indoor and garden lamps.

You need to carefully make holes in the wall of the jar, and put a candle inside. Arrange the lamps in the right places or hang them. Tin cans also make pretty bird feeders.

Cans accumulated a decent amount? Paint them in different colors and arrange a cheerful flower bed on the wall of a country house.

Need bird protection? Scarecrow doesn't hurt. Tin cans will come to the rescue. And you can also make an original weather vane, bright and lively. nine0003

Not far off New, on the threshold we will think about souvenirs with our own hands. It is doubly pleasant to receive a homemade gift, it carries the love of the giver. Various beautiful little things for decoration and workshops on making interesting little things will help us make a present.

Remember the snow globes from the Christmas miracle movies? Such a ball is a symbol of hope and faith, only a happy life lies ahead. From the glass jars left after baby food, wonderful snow globes are obtained. nine0003

They are easy to make. But you can present a gift that is sure to make you smile.

Decoration from a glass jar for the New Year: master class

On New Year's Eve, parents and children create beautiful New Year crafts.

Perhaps someone would like to repeat the skill below. It turns out a pretty fairy-tale theme of winter. Material available. Prepare a light bulb with a battery in advance.

Required:
- jar
- brush (for making a Christmas tree)
- 2 screw caps
- dry snow or sparkles
- beads (for a snowman)
- distilled water
- glycerin (1 vial per liter of water).
Materials at hand:
- moment glue
- knife
- scissors
- green paint solution
- silicone sealant
- nippers
- nail polish.

Making a craft:

We need to make a Christmas tree. To do this, cut the brush with scissors. We give the correct form. Let's paint the tree green. nine0016

We make holes in the lids with a knife. We pass a light bulb with a battery. Covers are glued with silicone. We cover the bulb with silicone, there will be no cracks.

We glue the Christmas tree onto the silicone that has not yet hardened. We also plant a snowman there, which was made of beads. We put the beads on the wire and glue them. Draw eyes with nail polish.