How to Use Baby Food Jars

You can use your empty baby food jars to create craft projects.

If your baby has recently started eating solid foods, you probably go through dozens of baby food jars a month. If you're environmentally conscious, you may feel frustrated throwing out so many jars. Instead of tossing them in the recycling bin, you can use old baby food jars to make craft projects with a few basic craft materials.

Things You'll Need

• Florist's clay
• Figurine
• Water
• Glitter
• Glue gun
• Craft glue
• Paintbrush
• Tissue paper
• Scissors, optional
• Colored tea light
• Colored sand
• Toothpick
• Paint

Instructions

Make a Snow Globe

1. Place the jar lid upside down on a flat surface.

2. Use florist's clay to attach a small figurine to the inside of the jar lid. The figurine needs to be a bit shorter than the entire jar.

3. Fill the jar almost all the way to the top with water, leaving only 1 cm. or so of space. Add a sprinkle of glitter.

4. Line the inside of the jar lid with hot glue, and place the lid on the jar, with the figurine upside down in the water.

5. Apply additional hot glue around the seam between the lid and the jar. Let dry overnight.

Candle Holder

1. Apply craft glue to the outside of the baby food jar using a paintbrush.

2. Rip or cut the tissue paper into 1-inch square pieces.

3. Press the tissue paper pieces onto the outside of the jar, making sure they overlap.

4. Apply additional craft glue over the outside of the tissue paper. Let the glue dry completely.

5. Place a colored tea light inside the jar.

Sand Jar

1. Pour a layer of colored sand in the bottom of the jar. Add more layers until the sand reaches the top of the jar.

2. Jiggle the jar slightly so the sand settles. Add to the top layer of sand so it reaches the top of the jar.

3. Poke a toothpick along the edge of the jar to make designs in the sand.

4. Paint the jar lid and allow it to dry completely.

5. Screw the lid onto the jar.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash the baby food jars in soapy hot water and dry them well before using them for crafts.

• Put the jars out of reach of babies or young children. Baby food jars are made of glass and can easily break.

References

• Kaboose: Snow Globe
• DLTK Kids: Votive Candle Holder
• Leader/Guider Cyber Council: Baby Food Jar Crafts