How to Make a Gumball Dispenser

Make a homemade gumball dispenser.

Nothing is more exciting for a child than placing a quarter into a gumball machine and waiting for the sweet treat to ascend into his waiting hand. A look-alike gumball dispenser can be fashioned with terracotta flower pots. This is a craft that any school-aged child can complete. This dish-style dispenser can also be used to hold hard candy and can be personalized to fit in with any home's decor.

Things You'll Need

• Terracotta pot
• Terracotta saucer
• Primer
• Paint brushes
• Paint
• Clear silicon caulk
• Glass ivy bowl
• Gumballs

Instructions

1. Apply a coat of primer to the interior and exterior of a terracotta pot and saucer with a paint brush. Both the saucer and pot should have a 4-inch diameter base. Allow the primer to dry.

2. Apply a coat of paint over the primer on both piece. Red is a traditional color used in gumball machines, but any color can be used to make the dispenser fit in with a home's color scheme. Allow the paint to dry.

3. Turn the pot upside down and apply a thin layer of clear silicon caulk to the bottom of the pot.

4. Place an ivy bowl on top of the over-turned pot. Move the bowl around until it is centered and place a weight, such as a book, onto the top of the ivy bowl to weight it down while the caulk dries.

5. Pour gumballs into the ivy bowl and place the terracotta saucer, upside down, onto the top of the ivy bowl.

Tips & Warnings

• Glue a wooden ball to the top of the gumball dispenser to act as a handle to lift the terracotta saucer off the top of the machine.

• Paint an image onto the front of the gumball dispenser to add more personalization.

References

• All Free Crafts: Faux Gumball Machine
• Wrap Candy: How to Make a Gumball Machine