What to do with empty baby food jars
50+ Fantastic Ways to Re-Use Baby Food Jars
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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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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
How to use empty baby food jars?
Are you a new mother? Then, probably, glass baby food jars appeared in your life, which the hand does not raise to throw away. There are already a lot of them in my house, so I propose to discuss how they can be useful to us.
I conducted a small survey of colleagues and friends on this topic. The results are as follows:
Lena keeps her branded adjika in jars - it is convenient to take it in such a container for a picnic, for example.
Stores dried berries for tea.
He also arranges small tasty gifts for his friends - homemade jam.
Arranges in jars, decorates them and gives them.
The last idea caught my attention - I like to make homemade jam. I took note of such a sincere gift option.
Zhenya keeps medicinal ointments in jars. Also a great option, given the odor of such drugs, as well as their small volumes.
Anya uses the jars as a sugar bowl and salt shaker on long journeys. Or for a picnic. She also keeps beads for needlework in them.
I tried to use jars for leftover canned cod liver. And this, I tell you, is extremely convenient. Open canned food should not be stored for longer than a day, and it is imperative to transfer food to a container, preferably glass. And the baby food jars are perfect! Small, hermetically sealed (which is especially important in the case of products with the smell of fish), and then it is not a pity to throw them away.
I also put paper clips in one jar. There was an open package at home, now the paper clips are neatly stored in a jar.
Inspired by the opening horizons for the second life of jars, I began to look for other ways to use them. I searched websites and social networks. I confess, I am delighted with the fantasy of young mothers, and dads too!
How to use baby food jars
Use jar lids in children's educational games:
- stick pieces of colored paper on them and arrange them in containers by color,
- stick drawings with letters on them and add syllables and words,
- make a slot in the lid of the milk formula jar (or in a box of chips, for example) and put the lids into it, like in a piggy bank,
- make a fishing rod out of a pencil, string and magnet and arrange "fishing", collecting caps.
Use cans:
- for dipping the brush while painting with watercolors,
- for seedlings of flowers or greenery,
- as small vases for small wildflowers,
- for storing spices,
- as a home air fragrance: put a piece of cotton wool into a jar and moisten the cotton wool with a drop of perfume or essential oil.
If you decorate a jar - it’s not a shame to replace the sachet and put it in a prominent place in the house,
- for needlewomen - to store small items such as buttons, beads, etc. in jars,
- use as a portion dish in candy bars that are so popular now at children's parties,
- colorize and turn the jar into a candlestick by putting a pill candle into it,
I found candle-tablets. It's a sin not to try, I decided. I’m not friends with paints yet, I found a satin ribbon. Half a minute to tie it, and voila! Modest, but also an option.
But finally I was subdued by such decor of the can.
Using a jar as a photo frame is original, isn't it?
And also, I think, it may not even be interesting to search for the use of jars or lids, but the process of decorating itself. Space for imagination, yours and your child!
How to decorate jars
• Spray paint or decorate with acrylic or stained glass paint,
• Paste over the jar with double-sided tape and roll in sequins or beads,
• Use the decoupage technique (stick a beautiful napkin with a pattern on the jar), since there is an abundance of materials for needlework on sale now,
• Stick lace, ribbons, fabric on the jar,
• Paste clippings from magazines or newspapers - looks very interesting.
• Wrap the jar with threads or decorative straws.
And then, together with the child, figure out what to put in a beautiful jar.
There is only one “but” in the active use of cans for various needs. Given the presence of a baby in the house, do not forget to check their inaccessibility for his ubiquitous little hands. Glass is beautiful, reliable and environmentally friendly, but dangerous. So, subject to safety conditions, cheers for jars!
Can you share how you use baby food jars? Do you leave or throw away? Decorate or use as is? Join the discussion in our groups VKontakte , Facebook and Instagram!
16 ideas on what to do with jars of baby food
Tips for the hostess
Marusya has everything on schedule: milk formula in the morning, fragrant porridge for lunch, vegetable puree with meat for lunch, fruit puree and cottage cheese for afternoon tea, for dinner again mix.
In a matter of weeks, our apartment was filled with dozens of jars. First, we arranged the supply of glass and metal elements to a neighbor. She gratefully accepted each new package. But a month ago she said: “Basta!” Say, I can’t master so many blanks. I did not find a can collection point near the house, no matter how I searched. But I found 17 ways to do with these banks.
- Photo
- GettyImages
Baby Sorter
This toy is perfect for a toddler to develop his logic skills. The bottom line is to lay out items in jars with suitable holes in the lid. The plastic top lid of a metal can of infant formula cuts perfectly. Accordingly, in it you can easily make a hole of the desired shape for various little things. The jar can be glued with beautiful paper, braided with ribbon or painted with paints, close the lid - and a great sorter is ready to use.
Children's thimbles
The game "thimbles" was invented for adults, in fact, usually there are no winners in it. But we will make children's thimbles with you, in which the rules are completely different. Tape or paint several baby formula jars in different colors. For example, in classic red, yellow and green. Take any toy that will fit into the hole and is not too heavy to move around.
Hide the toy under one of the jars, move it around the table several times and invite the child to guess where the surprise is. At first, let the child simply point to a specific jar, and then name the colors.
Bird feeder
Poke a round hole in the lid of the infant formula jar to allow a small bird to enter. On the side, make two holes, pass a rope through them and hang on a branch. Pour in food, close the lid and wait for the birds.
All-weather feeder, perfect for titmouse in winter. By the way, each jar can be painted in an original way and involve the baby in this business.
Box
Here beautiful paper, fabric, decorative stones, sequins will help you - everything that your imagination allows. We decorate the baby formula jar to our taste and conveniently store all kinds of little things that are abundant in any family: buttons, pins, hooks, beads, etc. Needlewomen can even knit a beautiful case for jars.
Magic Lamp
Use a screwdriver to punch holes in the sides of the baby formula jars - a specific pattern, or names, or a heart - whatever you want. Place a candle-tablet inside the jar. Important: in this case, the jar should never be closed with a lid!
- Photo
- GettyImages
Pepper and salt shaker
Take two glass baby puree jars. Poke small holes in the lids. On the side of the jars stick labels "salt" or "pepper". Add seasonings and enjoy.
Gift box for homemade jam
How to make a little surprise for friends? Prepare for them jars for homemade jam. You will need glass containers for baby puree, beautiful fabric, beautiful labels and sweets made by yourself.
Towel & Tissue Organizer
You will need several baby formula cans, a piece of plywood or a plastic tray, or even heavy cardboard. Paint all the details in the same color scheme or cover with self-adhesive wallpaper. Use a glue gun to attach the jars to the plywood base. Fix the base on the wall - you will get cells in which it is convenient to store hand towels or napkins for the kitchen.
Wine rack
Carefully remove the bottom of infant formula jars. Sand with sandpaper so you don't cut yourself. Glue six jars together in a pyramid shape - three-two-one. Now you can store bottles in a prone position in each cell.
Pouch storage
Cut a rectangular hole in the plastic lid of the infant formula can.
Place plastic bags in a jar. It will be convenient to pull out one piece through the hole. For beauty, the jar can be painted, pasted over, braided with ribbon or thread.
- Photo
- GettyImages
Advent Calendar
You will need 31 baby formula jars. Paint them white and number them. Every day the kid will open a new cell, receive a small gift or a task for the day. The lid can be decorated with sparkles, pasted over with a fabric with New Year's motifs, or simply with cotton wool that will imitate snow.
Lamp
This time you need glass baby puree jars. Tie each of them with twine at the base of the neck. The walls can be decorated with rhinestones or painting. Insert a candle-tablet inside. Tie several cans together - the original street lamp is ready.
Place for screws
You will need a piece of plywood or a small board and glass puree jars.
Make holes in the lids and use self-tapping screws to attach the lids to the base. Now everything is simple - hang the plywood or board in a convenient place, fill the jars with bolts, screw the jars to the lids and use. The organizer is very convenient for small things, because thanks to the glass you can see all the contents.
- Photo
- GettyImages
Candlestick
You will need glass puree jars, fantasy and tablet candles. With the help of fantasy, paints, glue, beads, sparkles and anything else, decorate the jars by removing the labels from them first. Inside - a candle, and everything is ready. And remember, there are never too many candlesticks!
Lemonade
Poke a hole in the lids of the puree jars for a straw. Fill jars with lemonade, garnish with mint or lemon leaves. Screw on the lids and insert the tubes.
