I have a ton of the plastic square baby food containers with lids. We would like to use them for VBS crafts. Does anyone have any simple kid friendly craft ideas that we could use these in? Thanks.
Here are some from a first-grade teacher. For the Teacher: organizers for desk (paper clips, etc)
Music: have students experiment with sounds by putting various objects in to shake
Science: grow a seed in water and watch it sprout make a miniature biome! they could make one for each biome and have a collection poke some holes and have a bug catcher put spices in and use for sniffing and identifying smells
Math: use for sorting, balance, use to teach all +-x and / with manipulatives
Social Studies: make a bulletin board with a classroom world map and showcase crafts from around the world inside while pinning the containers to the country on the map
Art: 3D Christmas tree ornaments endless uses, especially for paints for groups to use
Misc: send one home with each child at the beginning of the school year and have them put something inside to tell about themselves to the rest of the class
When I was doing my Early Childhood education degree I had to find projects for a class and we had to have like 50 projects. I came across a baby food jar project that you put water, some glitter, and a dollar store figure on the top of the jar. Then something else (to make the water stay clear). I don't recall that product but if you put those all together it makes it look like a home made snow globe. The thing is the children love to pick the figure's and the glitter. Make sure you help them with the glitter though, they tend to be a bit messy. Oh and use clothe or something on the button (which would be top< of the jar), Or Valvet would be the best, red, green, white, black, they tend to end up being Christmas presents.
1) jars for storing glue, paint, glitter, etc. that you might use for creating your crafts 2) jars for making up premade cocoa or tea mixes, etc. to give as gifts or sell 3) storing safety pins, beads, buttons, paper clips, tacks, etc. 4) jars for putting honey in to sell or give as gifts
"Google" kids' crafts sites, or DIY kids' crafts. There must be something there. If not, if your church has a bazaar or Fall Festival or something, sell them by the "5"s or some # for people to buy to fill up themselves. Like the other poster, I'd love to find small matching storage containers. Good luck...everything I can think of costs too much or has too may steps that deal with glue.
I make handmade jewelry, and boy, do I wish I'd kept more of those containers, from when my littlest was still a baby! They're great for storing special beads, and they stack really well- I store them in plastic shoeboxes, from the dollar store, sorted by color / type of bead / findings, etc. Don't know how well they'd work as the basis of a craft (though there are some really neat ideas here), but they're swell, for storing bits n' pieces for crafting other things! :o)
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Request: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
Archived on 03/27/2009
My daughter has been saving plastic baby food containers for me. I volunteer at a crisis nursery and I would like to have a craft project for preschool children with which I can use these containers. Anyone out there with ideas?
Thanks in advance!
Cindy from Berea, OH
Answers:
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
You may try making play dough and using them for the containers. There are recipes for home made play dough. Diane (01/05/2007)
You could plant beans in them, and smush them against the outside edge with a paper towel so kids can see the roots and leaves grow. Or plant seeds and use the flowers for Mothers Day. (01/05/2007)
What about making little "scenes" inside them? We did this with laundry soap scoops. Paint them inside and out and glue small things inside them. Be sure to fasten a hanger of some sort to the "end" of it. So they can be hung up if that what you want. We did ours with little Christmas tree scenes, nativity, and a little fireplace. I bet you could other things like for Easter and Spring. The possibilities are endless. (01/07/2007)
We have used them for many of the same reasons as last postings have but also we made small coin holders for fake coins or real ones. Decorate the sides like a pot of gold for St. Patty's Day. We did this put slit in container with lid on bottom to get coins. For Valentine's Day we made hearts on side with treats inside.
You could do this for any holiday. I also am planning to use the lids for frames for mommy day pictures some how with lace on side or something. Everyday I save them, because left over food for my babies is perfect to make baby food for the next day, and for making my own yogurt containers. Kids love them for many treats. Good luck. Rain (04/23/2007)
By rains romper room
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
The plastic Gerber baby food containers are good for putting stool samples in if you are taking your pet to the vet. (11/15/2007)
By Treacy
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
Thanks for great ideas. I am a teacher and am going to try covering them in fabric and give them to Mom or Dad as gift boxes. (04/17/2008)
By Cora
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
They can be used as pacifier holders while on the go. When you are traveling on short vacation they can be used for shampoo/conditioner, shower soap, etc. (07/18/2008)
By JC
Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
I keep children in my home and I have 2 of my own that are in school. I have been saving up and I am going to paint the containers (tops and all but not on the inside) fill them with candy and place a ribbon around them. Make them look like small presents. My children are going to pass them out to children in their class for their Christmas party at school. Hope this helps! (11/13/2008)
By Stacy
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
I use mine for coin banks, for my grandchildren. We used contact paper to decorate them, We also used the kind that looked like wood flooring to make a jewelry box for their Mom. It was a hit. I use them when I paint my doors and walls, the kind with a separate lid. The brush fits in easily and there is less mess. They are great for making car jewelry boxes for men, as well. Good for holding nuts and bolts. Also I use them for my laundry dryer sheets.
They are good for storing dry cat food, make sure they are washed and rinsed very good before using as food savers. When freezing use with a plastic bags. I use a Zip lock sandwich bag, fill with water 1/2 way, then freeze. Perfect for a boo boo, or to put into a cooler. Cut the tube off, old wore out socks, throw away the foot part. Soak the tube, ring out excess water. Then put into the Plastic Baby wipe containers. Put in freezer, perfect for ice on the ankles or wrist. I also put holes in bottom and start garden seeds. I keep empty ones in the car, with plastic bag for the kids for car sickness. Hope this helps, Ellen from TN (03/15/2009)
Request: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
Archived on 01/02/2007
I have TONS of the new babyfood plastic containers with covers on hand. Can anyone think of something I could do with them. Anything crafty? My hubby wants to use them for his screws and such. Any other suggestions would be great. I would love to do something crafty with them.
Laurie
Answers:
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
I have seen them as "xmas" decorations. Put some candy in the jars, then decorate it as a santa or snowman. They are kind of cute. (01/20/2005)
By Belinda
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
I think some of you misunderstood my post. These are not the glass jars. These are the "new" plastic tubs with covers. I did make candle holders for tea lights with the other one's. That's why I am having a hard time with these. Thought of plant starters too. Hmmm? (01/21/2005)
By Laurie
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
I bet Kindergarten teachers or Vacation Bible School teachers would welcome them for projects. Would make great snack containers for small children both at home and on trips. (01/21/2005)
Offer them to a teacher or a school. As a former teacher I can think of a zillion things I would have used them for-paste or paint, glitter, beads, other craft supplies, starting seeds, small snacks in class, office and desk supplies like paper clips, folded wet wipes to take on a field trip, mini first aid kit with an antiseptic wipe and a couple of band-aids, take salad dressing from home for lunch, leftovers for lunch, fill with your own pudding or Jello for lunch boxes, fill with water and freeze for small lunch box ice packs or to put on owies... (01/21/2005)
By Linda
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
You say they are tubs with lids? Well then anything small can be stored in them
A possibility is putting Potpourri in one or two and opening them when needed for their special smells.
You could make then into stackable small child's toys. Maybe putting stickers on them with pictures/numbers and letters. (01/22/2005)
With a baby, I also have a great deal of the plastic containers saved. I have found that they make good storage containers for his little crackers or Cheerios. I keep them in his diaper bag. (01/22/2005)
By Sugar
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
I know the plastic containers you are talking about. Using them for the bath time is great, poke a few holes in one and your child will watch the water flow out. My daughter had a set of First Years toys like that and really enjoyed them. Save them for paints (adult touch ups or kids) and when done, you can toss them. Maybe use them for building toys (like round blocks?) or matching game (stick on colors, letters, animals, etc. so your child can match the cows. numbers or whatever you are interested in) (02/01/2005)
By Alexandra
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
If you are a scrapbooker I think they would be great for storing tidbits of paper or die cuts, etc. (04/13/2005)
By Jessica
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
I use them to put Jello or Pudding in it is easy to transfer the jello to the fridge because of the lid and no messy spills in the fridge either or use then for like cut up onions and store them in the freezer as for crafty uses i cant think on any (06/13/2005)
By Marion
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
Why not try using them for patio lights? A friend of mine has offered to give me her containers to give this a try. I figure if you poke holes small enough in the bottom of the container and push through a small Christmas light, you could hang them up and use them as 'patio lanterns'. (06/14/2005)
By Kathy
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
I'm not sure I have seen those yet. But we have a new grandchild expected in Oct. I wonder if you could make a small sewing kit out of one? Make a small pincushion and glue it inside the lid (keeping the edges clear so the lid will still fasten). Then put in a couple of bobbins of black and white thread or whatever colors would suit you best for quick emergencies inside. Plus a couple of needles and a pair of folding scissors. Maybe a small tube of super glue. Some loose buttons or a bit of velcro and a few straight pins sticking in the pincushion. Put the lid back on and stick it in the diaper bag or your purse.
(06/17/2005)
If you know any Cub Scout or Girl Scout leaders, these are great containers for first aid kits. (06/17/2005)
By CRMom
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
You could also use them for homemade bath salts! Recipes can be found all over the Internet. Fill the little container [you can also use the jars] with homemade bath salts and give as a little gift! (10/12/2005)
By nysoapmaker61700
RE: Crafty Uses For Plastic Baby Food Containers
These work great too for holding spices in your cabinet. Label them and they are clear so you can see your spices too. Thanks Wayne (03/11/2006)
I would save them for snacks on the go for the diaper bag. I always carry cheerios, goldfish, cookies (homemade of course) and other little things like that for when we are running errands. We are always out during meal or snack time! I don't know the size you mean, but they should be able to fit a toddler snack. Or you can pack applesauce/pudding in them for ready to go portions for the little one. (03/11/2006)
