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PLASTIC CONTAINER CRAFTS FOR KIDS: Ideas for Arts & Crafts Projects & Activities with Plastic Containers for Children, Teens, and Preschoolers

Many things come in plastic containers...in fact more things are coming in plastic containers than they used to. You can even get lunch meat in containers now...but you can get many things such as margarine, soup, ice cream, lettuce, mashed potatoes, and so many more things. Plastic containers are one of the best free crafts materials that you can use. They are usually sturdy, and they can hold a shape so they are perfect to work with. This page has tons of crafts with plastic containers as one of the materials used. I hope you enjoy all of these crafts.

Make Totes with Plastic Containers

You will need a pint-sized and clear plastic container (lid may be colored), 20" length of heavy cord or string or ribbon, paper punch, glue, and assorted shells and glitter or cluster of imitation flowers. Punch two holes in opposite sides of lid about 1/2" from edge (sketch a). To decorate lid of plastic container, spread glue on lid and arrange shells and glitter, or a cluster of flowers (sketch b). Punch two holes in container opposite each other 1/2" below edge. (Be sure they correspond to holes punched in lid.) Run cord or ribbon through holes in lid, then through holes in container so that ends are on the outside (sketch c). Make a large ornamental knot in each end of cord so that it cannot slip through hole.

Use Plastic Containers to Make Banjos

To make the above musical banjo, you will need a cottage cheese container or other plastic container that is about the same size. Now you whould cut 1 3/4" long slits on opposite sides of the container, as seen in picture 'a'. Cut 1 1/2" x 10" strip of heavy cardboard and then slide it into the slits that you just cut in the container. Leave about 1: of cardboard still sticking out on right side of container, as seen in picture a. Punch two small holes on both sides of the cardboard and then place paper fasteners in both of these holes. Now take 2 three inch rubber bands (or any rubber bands that you have) and stretch them around the paper fasteners. Now, notice where the rubber bands cross the top of the container and cut 1/4" slits in the rim of the container to hold rubber bands in place....as seen in picture b. Now you can play your new banjo.

Even More Crafts with Plastic Containers

Make Flower Holders Gift for Mom on Mothers Day - Flowers make a great gift for Moms on Mother’s Day…they are beautiful, just like she is, inside and out. How about making a pretty flower holder vase for the flowers that you pick for her (or buy for her). This beautiful flower holder in which you can place real flowers would make an especially nice Easter gift for someone you love.

Rubber Band Motorized Dump Truck Toy - Make a dump truck that really goes...with a plastic container, some caps, and rubber bands.

Spider Web Plastic Bottle Bracelets - Find out how to make these spider web bracelets out of recycled bottles for Halloween.

How to Make Flower Vases With Recycled Plastic Bottles - This is a recycling and a Mother’s Day Present Arts and Crafts Activity for Kids to Make. Recycling can be your way of taking care of the environment. Here’s a great craft activity that makes it really fun to recycle. Make a flower vase out of an old plastic bottle and then put fresh flowers in it for Your Mom.

Making Maracas & Rhythm Shakers - Find out how to make these maracas with a plastic container, a stick, and seeds / beans / rice.

Make Set of Cannisters as a Gift - Make Kitchen Cannisters to hold kitchen items. The Lid Pull is made with a spool and the cannisters are made from ice cream containers.

Bejeweled Vase to Make with Plastic Containers - - Sculpt a vase around a recycled container. Embed plastic jewels and other craft items to create a simple, striking gift.

Chinese Dragon Drum - - Calling all percussionists! Drums are easy to learn to play and their sounds are recognized around the world. These red Chinese replicas are gorgeous to look at, too.

Christmas Flower Pot - - This is an idea what you can make out of small plastic containers from the kitchen. This particular plastic bucket was a container for joghurt. With paper napkin applique, you can turn an otherwise piece of trash to a decorative piece of treasure. Clean the container with soap and hot water before decorating and remove any labels if there are any.

Counting Jars Game - - Here's a really simple idea which is fun to put together and fun to play with. You can play with the jars in many different ways, making is suitable for a wide age range too. Perhaps older kids could make the game for younger siblings?

Dad's Faux Leather Pencil Holder - - This is a recycling craft that makes a practical gift for Dad - a pencil holder with a polished finish that looks like leather!

Easter Basket Craft - - This is an activity the kids will love to do over and over again!

Franken Jar Halloween Project - - Parents and kids together can create this spooktacular halloween candy jar with Glue Dots, some paint, black paper and a few embellishments. Try this great kids halloween craft project.

Make a Nightlight out of a Crystal Light Container - - I don’t know why I’ve always had a ‘thing’ for Crystal Light containers. They are sturdy, tall, slender, and I’ve been wanting to turn them into a useful craft for a very, very long time. Some ideas have failed. But this weekend I triumphed and turned the Crystal Light container into a durn purty nightlight that you can decorate with decoupage in an infinite number of ways!

Mosaic Masterpieces - - Explore the ancient Greek art form of mosaics. Discover how to make an intricate mosaic to create a beautiful vase or desk accessory.

Mother Earth Suet Holder - - One of the "duties" of Mother Earth is to provide for the wildlife of the world. Our wire holder will feed the wildlife in your own garden or backyard.

Native Pottery Replicas - - Discover the beauty, and functionality, of ancient Native American pottery! These replicas are a wonderful way to learn more about a culture.

Pill Bottle Snowman - - Recycle a pill bottle to make a little snowman ornament.

Recycled Robot Craft - - The idea behind this recycled robot craft for kids is simple. All you need is an empty, clean container, aluminium foil and glue and you can create a robot. For this robot craft we used an empty country time lemonade container, as we had just emptied it that afternoon, but we've also done this process with empty yogurt containers, empty margarine containers, etc. The result is an adorable robot craft every time! Our preschool daughter really enjoyed this one and has had fun pushing him around the floor making robot noises.

Recycled Yoplait Trix Yogurt Cups - - Learn how to make these adorable mini buckets from yogurt cups.

Recycled Yogurt Cup Bud Vase - - This wonderful project comes to us compliments of Michelle Sybert of Her Cup Overfloweth. Michelle recycles an ordinary kid's yogurt drink container into a cute little bud vase. Hooray for less plastic waste!  Make these with your kids on Mother's Day for fellow moms, grandmoms and your own home.

Sandcastle Rooflines - - Recycle plastic containers into an Art Nouveau sandcastle that gleams in the light. Build your masterpiece in the celebrated architectural style of Antonio Gaudi—or invent your own unique construction.

Spiral Vase - - Looking for a memorable, handmade gift? The sculpting technique of building with coils may be ancient, but this vase crafted in Model Magic® is totally cutting edge.

Tortoise or Turtle Craft - - In the United States, any Testudines that live in salt water or fresh water (part time or full time) are known as turtles.  Testudines that live only on land are called tortoises.  There's actually a third group of Testudines called terrapins ... these are basically turtles that live in swampy water.