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

What Can I Make With an Oatmeal Container?

Have you wondered what you could do with an empty oatmeal box? The boxes are well made, and making oatmeal box crafts seems like a good way to recycle them. Upcycle them to create fun projects that you can keep for yourself or give away!

To make the red barn shown above, go to enchantedlearning.

1. Owl Gift Box

This is like two gifts in one. First, you can enjoy whatever comes inside the gift box. Then, you can use the gift box as a piece of décor or as a container to hold office supplies. BASICGREY shares how to make this owl treat box.

2. Doll Cradle

What little girl wouldn't love to put her dolly in this baby cradle? Find all the instructions at juggling act mama to make one for a little girl in your life!

3. Gift Box

You can make a beautiful and useful gift box with a crepe paper flower on top by following the directions at homework. The oatmeal box is covered with a vintage tea towel, but you can use fabric or paper that you already have at home.

4. Penny Vase

I would say that making this vase, which uses 252 pennies and an oatmeal box, is a really inexpensive but elegant vase. It definitely looks like a vase that you could purchase at a home store. Find the short and sweet instructions at kreyv.

5. Book Page-Covered Boxes

I'm really impressed with the elegant look of these boxes wrapped in book pages. Trash to Treasure shares how you can put it together in a few easy steps.

6. Ribbon Holder

A ribbon holder is a very useful item you can make out of an oatmeal box. It'd be a fashionable way to keep your ribbons in order and make gift wrapping a breeze!

7. Snowball Fight Kit

You can make your own snowball fight kit by going to the TOTSY BLOG for the directions. How fun would it be to do something like this?

8. Prim Raven Poe Box

Although this box would be useful to hold a treasure, it would also be a great decorator piece. Find out how to make it by going to Alyssabeths Vintage.

9. Leprechaun Trap

Making a leprechaun trap gets a person's imagination go full steam. This looks like a project kids will love.

10. Concrete Pillar

The oatmeal box is used as the form to pour the concrete in order to make the pillar. See how this solar light project is made by going to The Shabby Creek Cottage.

11. Planetarium

Can you believe fun and education come together in a project like this? Make this bedroom planetarium and use it as a starting point for a fun science discussion about the night sky!

12. Decorative Oatmeal Box

Make an attractive decorative box to give away or to have for personal use. You can keep fun trinkets inside and organize them in different decorated oatmeal boxes!

13. Rope-Wrapped Container

This is a super easy project that you'll be happy to display. Go to Behind Closed Drawers for the instructions.

14. Doll Cradle

15. Crayon Oatmeal Box

Can you think of a better place to keep crayons than in a crayon box? Especially a crayon box that resembles a crayon? Turn oatmeal containers into this adorable project by going to AOK CORRAL for the instructions.

16. Pumpkin

How super easy can making a Halloween pumpkin be? Find out how to make this cute pumpkin with bagels and crawfish.

17. Headband Holder

I didn't realize that an oatmeal box is the perfect size for holding headbands. Karin Jordan Studio shares how to put it together.

18. Goofy Pencil Caddy

All of you Disney fans can make this Goofy pencil caddy to show your loyalty to the adorable characters.

19. Straw Game for Babies and Toddlers

This project is a great hand-eye coordination game for your little ones. You'll find the directions on how to make this game at merrimentdesign.

20. Toilet Paper Camouflage

This recycled oatmeal box makes a great container for extra rolls of toilet paper. I think this is a very attractive addition to the bathroom.

21. Color Sorting Robot

Thiscolor sorting robot is for all the little robot lovers. A great way for toddlers to learn to distinguish colors.

22. Pet Treat Containers

Here is a great way to keep your pet's treats nice and fresh. You'll find the instructions for making this container at favecrafts.

23. Faux Fish Tank

One of the great things about a pretend fish tank is that you don't have to remember to change the water. Macaroni Kid shares the steps to make a fish tank like this out of an oatmeal container.

24. Bug Hotel

This bug hotel is a cute project that I think the kids, especially the boys, will love. They will enjoy being able to customize each room with different themes, colors, and styles.

25. Fairy House

Make this cute fairy house and turn it into a fun scavenger hunt to find all of the parts that you want to use to decorate it!

28. How to Make a 4th of July Hat

27. Birdhouse

You'll be able to make a many-roomed birdhouse to decorate a corner of your home. You'll need to use three oatmeal boxes for this project.

28. Mushroom House

Fairy tales are filled with make-believe houses. Share the fantasies with the little ones by making a mushroom house!

29. Rainbow Windsock

One of the projects all kids seem to love to make is a rainbow project. This windsock is an easy and inexpensive craft to make with the kids.

30. Easter Baskets

31. Shabby Chic Vase

I really think this shabby chic vase is an attractive piece. I like the brown box color, the raffia, and the flower trim.

32. Patriotic Streamers in the Wind

If you are planning a patriotic party for the 4th of July or want a summer theme, these patriotic streamers will certainly help with the decorations.

33. Train Engine

Danielle's place shares the instructions to make this outstanding project using an oatmeal box and shoe boxes.

34. Valentine Box

Make a cute container for all the Valentine cards that your little girl will receive by going to She Saved... for the instructions.

35. Safari Bookends

Make these safari bookends using oatmeal boxes. It's a fun activity for kids to do, as you can encourage them to make interesting designs for the bark.

36. Halloween Treat Totes

You can make these Halloween treat totes easily by following the instructions that you'll find at Makezine. You can use them as totes or as Halloween decorations.

37. Drumroll

Make these outstanding drums out of oatmeal boxes, fabric scraps, and yarn.

Now that you know about the numerous projects you can create using oatmeal boxes, be sure to start saving them!

© 2013 Loraine Brummer

What would you make with an oatmeal box? - or leave a comment

Kathywildeson on June 21, 2020:

I would like to make Easter baskets just to sit around the table

Rhonda Lytle from Deep in the heart of Dixie on June 01, 2013:

I'm floored at how good some of these look. I'm kicking myself now for all the oatmeal boxes I have thrown out over the years. I foresee baking too many oatmeal cookies in my immediate future for I will have an oatmeal box ribbon holder! Thank you for a boatload of good ideas.

Rhonda Lytle from Deep in the heart of Dixie on June 01, 2013:

I'm floored at how good some of these look. I'm kicking myself now for all the oatmeal boxes I have thrown out over the years. I foresee baking too many oatmeal cookies in my immediate future for I will have an oatmeal box ribbon holder! Thank you for a boatload of good ideas.

anonymous on May 09, 2013:

Hi Loraine, This is Julia from FaveCrafts. Thanks so much for sharing one of our projects. Green crafts are so popular right now and I'm so glad you could find an applicable project. We are always adding new eco-friendly crafts so be sure to stop by often! Thanks and have a great day!

Dancing Cowgirl Design from Texas on May 08, 2013:

Another great crafting page. Lots of new ideas for oatmeal boxes. I love the ribbon holder. Best WIshes to you.