Uses for Frozen Juice Concentrate Lids

Hate to throw out the metal disks that come from the ends of frozen juice concentrate "tubes"? They're such a nice heavy-duty metal with no sharp edges. Here are some recycling ideas from our creative ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas below.

Windchimes

You could make a windchime with those can tops. Let your imagination run wild.

By Toni K.

Candle Holders or Coasters

They would be good to place small pillar candles on to catch the wax, or you could have your children paint them and use them as coasters, wonderful as a gift to a family member.

By Samantha Lewis

Christmas Ornaments

I have taken small simple holiday designs, drawn on paper, and double-stick tape to front of the disk. Then with a hammer and awl, punch holes around the design, completing with large hole at top, and adding a decorative cord or fishline to hang. Or glue child's picture or old Christmas card design to center and hang for unique ornaments. Add trims: boas, feathers, stickers, etc.

By Kathy Phipps

Educational Ideas

For a preschooler, buy two sets of identical stickers, put them on the metal disks and make a matching game. You can use these to play a form of the game of "concentration." Or put letters on one side and a sticker of something that starts with that letter on the other side. For younger children, put colored dots on them to teach colors. Cut a slit in the top of a coffee can that's been covered with pretty contact paper and all the rough edges filed and let your toddler put them in the can and then dump them out.

By Jewels955

Photo Magnet

A few years ago, one of my kids' teachers took pictures of each of her students individually and cut a circle around their face and attached them inside the rim of one side of the juice can lid. On the other side, she glued a magnet and these hung on her classroom door that was metal. As each kid came into class, they took their magnet picture and placed it on her magnetized chalk board as a form of roll call and gave them responsibility lesson as well.

You could do the same at home with a picture from each year for your child. Maybe each birthday, take a picture and do that and add to it each year. Use on refrigerator as magnet collection.

By Tawnda

Homemade Tap Dancing

Take a piece of wide elastic and attach it to the lids and let kids use them as taps on their shoes. What kid doesn't like to make noise, outdoors of course! LOL

By Owenmohrbucks

Makeshift Tub Stopper

I use one as a tub stopper. Leaks a little bit, but works just fine for taking a bath.

By Jayne

Knights Costume Material

If you had a lot of them you could make your own "chain mail" vest or tabard for a knight's costume. Drill holes in 2 or 4 sides (as needed) and use jump rings or fishing line to link them in a simple over-the-head pullover.

By Heather

Garden Row Markers

We used the ends of cans for row markers in the garden. We poked 2 holes in them and pushed a bent wire (cut from clothes hanger) through them so the lid sat at the top of the wire and was easily readable while walking through the garden.

By Sheryl

Giant Checkers

Make a giant checker board on canvas, floor, patio and paint these red and black. Or glue on a magnet and decorate them with a photo, seashell or dried flower arrangement or whatever you like. Ask your child for ideas, he might come up with very creative uses!