I don’t know about you and your families, but I’ve been using a lot of canned goods these days: from beans to tomatoes to hot peppers. With a few materials from around the house you can  upcycle those tin cans into a cute planter, pencil holder, or even a change canister.

Materials:

• Tin can: any size will do, but make sure it has been washed, any sharp edges have been smoothed down, and the label has been removed: ask an adult for help!
• Markers, crayons, colored pencils: you can use one of them, all of them, or whichever medium you most enjoy to decorate with.
• Craft sticks: fat, skinny or a combo, totally up to you.
• Paper: an alternative if you don’t have craft sticks. You can use construction paper, computer paper, textured paper, or whatever you have around the house.
• Rubber bands: the plain, boring kind, or a colorful variety will work; it should fit around your can. You’ll need these if you are using craft sticks.
• Tape: plain tape, colored, or decorative, as long as it sticks to the can: you’re good! You’ll need this if you are using paper.
• Scissors: you’ll need these if you are using paper. Don’t forget to follow good scissor etiquette: pointy part down if you are walking, and never point the pointy part toward someone else.
• Ruler: if you are using paper to wrap your can, you might want this to take measurements. 
• Ribbon: optional, but I like the flair it adds.

Now that you have your chosen materials, watch the video below for a step-by-step guide to create your own tin can decor.

  Youth Services Librarian Demitra