41 Cool Tin Can Craft Projects

Loraine loves arts and crafts and used to volunteer at an elementary art class. She loves sharing fun and easy craft tutorials.

Upcycle Tin Cans

One nice thing about making tin can crafts is that you can usually come up with a good supply of them.

I was really surprised to see so many really great craft ideas for using tin cans, and in this article, you'll find the projects that I found in my Google search. Thankfully, there are some outstanding crafters, with useful and beautiful ideas for empty tin cans, who are nice enough to share their patterns and instructions with us. I hope you'll find some that you'll want to try.

Find the directions for making the crafter's caddy shown above by going to the Cynthia Shaffer site.

1. Vintage Tin Can Wall Storage

There are downloads for the clock prints that you see on these tin cans at the Knick of Time site. They also share the tutorial for making the wall storage organizer.

2. Autumn Embossed Sunflower

This sunflower is really amazing. I love the looks of this embossed aluminum sunflower and think it would be very attractive in a kitchen or even in a flower bed. Find out how to make this embossed sunflower by going to the favecrafts site.

3. Tin Can Printable Cover Monsters

This project couldn't be any easier considering that the monsters that cover the cans are printables that you can download and print off the site, DIY Party Mom. The kids will want to play knock-down games with these little monsters, so be sure to make a few extras.

4. Tin Can Caddy

5. 4th of July Luminaries

These useful candles are the perfect decorations for your 4th of July picnic. You'll get the instructions by going to Crafts-For-All-Seasons.

6. Leprechaun

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by making a great leprechaun display like this. Find the tutorial at Crafty Morning.

7. Patriotic Containers

These are perfect accessories for your 4th of July holiday picnic or luncheon. Find the directions for this craft at Squishy-Cute Designs.

8. Jack-oh-Pumpkins

If you don't have a pet, therefore no pet food cans, you can use tuna, mushroom, or olive cans for this project. You can make these pumpkin ornaments by going to Yesterday on Tuesday for the tutorial.

9. Grouted Tiles Containers

This is an unbelievable craft project in its simplicity. Check this project out at the Instructables site.

10. Paper Covered Containers

This is such an inexpensive way to get a beautiful Spring look. You can get all the instructions at the Blissful Roots website. Easily changed for other seasons or holidays.

11. Tin Can Pumpkin

This is a perfect accent for your Halloween decorations. Go to Yummy Cuppy Crafts for the instructions for this cute pumpkin.

12. Recycled Wind Chimes

13. Pop Top Gifts

Here is a unique way to give a gift. Find out how to make these gifts to give by going to the Favecrafts site.

14. Tin Can Creatures

Oh, what fun I'm going to have with my little grandkids this summer when I gather together some tin cans, craft paints, wire, and google eyes. With the help of the tutorial at My Very Educated Mother, the kids and I will spend one afternoon making tin can creatures.

15. Personalized Utensil Holder

This is a beautiful way to personalize a container for your summer entertaining. The directions for this project are found at Crissy's Crafts.

16. Tin Can Stilts

This brings back memories of my childhood. Take your kids on a journey back in time by making them some stilts like these. You'll find instructions for them at Premeditated Leftovers.

17. Tin Can Organizer

Who would have realized how upcycled tin cans could become a useful and inexpensive organizer?

18. Twine-Wrapped Vase

With beautiful white flowers, this twine-wrapped vase has an elegant look. You'll find the instructions for making this easy-to-do project here.

19. Faux Chunky Knit Vase

I really love this inexpensive and elegant faux chunky knit vase cover. This would be an appreciated gift.

20. Rainbow Crayon Holder

No need to have your crayons mixed together in a big box. Now, after making a crayon holder like the one shown above, you can sort your crayons by color family and have them handy. A very neat way to store your crayons is shown at Sugar Bee Crafts, with instructions on how to make the holder.

21. Rusty Glam Planter

22. Tin Can Snowman

To make this really cool-looking snowman, go to the Practically Functional site, and prove to yourself and everyone else that you really are crafty.

23. Christmas Candle Holders

I plan on making some of these for my Christmas decorating this coming year. I think this arrangement is beautiful. Go to Those Northern Skies for directions.

24. Bling Storage

No one will ever guess that the cute storage containers that you have in your bathroom started out as plain tin cans. Creative in Chicago has the information for making these beautiful storage cans.

25. Tin Can Owls

Who wouldn't love to have a group of these tin can owls making wise decorating decisions?

26. Candle Wall Display

This is a project from a foreign language blog, but you'll easily be able to follow the pictured directions. This outstanding project has instructions given on the Kifli es levendula site. For safety's sake, be sure to use battery-operated candles.

27. Christmas Tin Transformed

One of the largest tin cans is the Christmas popcorn tin, but it is so great to recycle the tin into a useful storage tin. Go to Spoonful of Imagination for the tutorial to transform the popcorn tin.

28. Tin Can Phones

I kind of doubt that these will replace cell phones, but I'll bet they're a lot of fun to make. Go to Crafts by Amanda for the instructions.

29. Drink Can Tinwork

30. Luminaries

Beautiful luminaries made from tin cans. See how they are made by going to Suburbal for the directions.

31. Easter Bouquet Holder

This bright and beautiful felt-covered tin can holds Easter flowers and bunnies. Go to Holiday Crafts to find out how to make it.

32. A Fence Garden

Isn't this a great idea? The bright-colored can planters draw the eye to the beautiful plants that they hold. So peaceful. Find this tutorial at I Should Be Mopping the Floor.

33. Soda Can Wall Art

Make beautiful wall art using the tin from soda cans. The tutorial is found at Purple Hues and Me.

34. Vintage Tin Can Vase

Making a vintage tin can vase couldn't be easier when you know where to find the vintage images. That info is included.

35. Coffee Can Planter Bucket

Make these attractive planter buckets by going to The Wicker House blog for the tutorial.

36. Tin Can Pumpkins

I think these are very impressive. I could see them as a Halloween centerpiece. The tutorial is found at Re-fabbed.

37. Easter Bunny Planters

It's so easy to make cute bunny planters when you follow the instructions given at We Know Stuff.

38. Faux Enamelware JOY Centerpiece

I really love the looks of the faux enamelware. It is beautiful as a Christmas centerpiece and I can imagine lots of ways to use it in centerpieces for other seasons.

39. Fabric Covered Tin Accessories

I wanted to add some color and texture to my fall curio top display, so I hot glued fabric to cover a fruit juice can, a vegetable can, and a tuna can. These tin cans are now containers to hold sunflowers, a boxwood plant, and some wooden beads.

40. Punched Tree Ornament

At Thinking Closet, you'll find easy-to-follow instructions for making this punched tree ornament. Use flameless tea candles and fill your tree with these super cute ornaments.

41. Hair Brush Holders

Keep your hair brushes in a convenient place for easy access by making hair brush holders like these at The Creative Imperative. That's where you'll find the tutorial for this project.

© 2012 Loraine Brummer

Spill the Beans - or leave a comment

Danny from India on August 13, 2020:

Amazing uses of Tin in so many different ways. Nice article Loraine. I am late to read this piece. :)

Asia Frazier from Ohio on June 30, 2020:

Wonderful ideas.

Sujatha from Noida on May 16, 2020:

Lovely ideas .. thanks for this :-)

Abdullah on March 28, 2020:

Really I love and like the tin can candles.I am really excited about this.

I love pictures also.

Micha ELa from Philippines on September 27, 2019:

I love the tin can candles. I have a tin can where I put my crayons, and colored pencils to add color to my study table. We don't have much tin cans lying around the house though.

Jen from Canada on September 15, 2019:

I love those grouted tile tin cans

anonymous on January 29, 2014:

My daughter is getting so excited about this, as she is looking with me. She didn't understand how we could make so many wonderful things out of cans. Wonerful and truly inspirational Lens.

Kathryn Grace from San Francisco on May 31, 2013:

I had forgotten all about tin can stilts. We used to make those when I was a kid. I especially like the tin can pumpkin with its curly wire handle.

TommysPal on May 04, 2013:

I like reusing tin cans. I love the pictures filled with great ideas.