We all know the delicious satisfaction of popping open a tin of mints. But what happens to that cute little container once the mints are gone? Don’t toss it in the recycling bin just yet! Empty mint tins are a treasure trove of crafting potential. They’re the perfect size for a variety of projects, and upcycling them is a great way to be kind to the environment. So, grab your empty mint tins and get ready to unleash your inner DIY master with these 17 fantastic craft ideas:
1. The Mighty Mini Sewing Kit:
Never get caught with a wardrobe malfunction again! This adorable mini sewing kit is a lifesaver for quick fixes on the go.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, felt (any color you like!), needle & thread, buttons, pins, scissors
- Step-by-Step:
- Cut to fit: Measure the base of your mint tin and use scissors to cut a piece of felt to that size.
- Pocket Power: Feeling fancy? Sew a few small pockets onto the felt using needle and thread. These will be perfect for storing buttons and pins.
- Embellish Away (Optional): Feeling creative? Use embroidery floss or fabric paint to personalize your felt insert with a cute design or monogram.
- The Grand Assembly: Once you’re happy with your felt creation, simply glue it securely into the bottom of the mint tin. Now you have a portable sewing haven!
2. Pocket-Sized First-Aid for the Adventurer:
Be prepared for minor scrapes and bumps with this handy pocket-sized first-aid kit.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, Band-aids in various sizes, antiseptic wipes, small cotton balls, tweezers
- Step-by-Step:
- Fabric Flair (Optional): Want to add a touch of personality? Cut a small piece of fabric to fit the inside of the tin and glue it down. This will help keep everything organized and prevent rattling.
- First-Aid Tetris: Now comes the fun part! Arrange your Band-aids, wipes, cotton balls, and tweezers to fit snugly inside the tin. Play around with the layout until everything has a designated spot.
3. Travel Candle: Light Up Your Night (Wherever You Are):
Create a cozy ambiance wherever you go with this charming travel candle.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, soy wax flakes (available at craft stores), essential oil of your choice (be sure to check safety information!), wick, wick holder (optional)
- Step-by-Step:
- Wick it Up: Secure the wick in the center of the mint tin. A wick holder will make this easier, but a dab of hot glue can also do the trick.
- The Melty Magic: Soy wax flakes are your friend here. Using a double boiler method (heating a heat-safe bowl over simmering water), melt the soy wax flakes until they become a smooth liquid.
- Scent-sational (Safely): Once the wax is melted, remove it from the heat and add a few drops of your chosen essential oil. Remember, a little goes a long way! Always consult safety information for your chosen essential oil before use.
- Pour with Care: Carefully pour the melted wax mixture into the mint tin, leaving enough space at the top for the wick.
- Patience is a Virtue: Let your creation cool completely before lighting the wick and enjoying your travel candle!
4. Memory Match: The Mini Memory Challenge:
Test your memory and have some fun with this miniature version of the classic memory game.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, small squares of cardstock (all the same size), markers, glue
- Step-by-Step:
- Cardboard Canvas: Cut your cardstock squares to a size that fits comfortably inside the mint tin.
- Design Time: Unleash your creativity! Decorate half of the squares with matching pairs of designs. Animals, hearts, stars, or even miniature portraits of your family – the possibilities are endless!
- Stick it Together: Once you’re happy with your designs, glue them securely onto the cardstock squares.
- Let the Games Begin!: Once the glue dries, pop all the squares face down inside the mint tin and challenge yourself or a friend to a memory match game!
5. The Altoid Tin Purse: Fashion on the Go:
Who needs a bulky purse when you have this adorable Altoid tin purse?
- Materials: Empty mint tin, fabric scraps in complementary colors or patterns, ribbon, scissors, glue
- Step-by-Step:
- Fabric Fashion: Cut your fabric scraps into pieces slightly larger than the mint tin. You’ll need one piece for the outside and another for the inside lining.
- Fabric Fusion: Using craft glue, carefully adhere the fabric pieces to the outside and inside of the mint tin. Make sure the edges are folded inwards for a clean finish.
- Handle with Care: Here comes the fun part of creating the handle! Cut two small slits on opposite sides of the tin near the top. These will be for the ribbon.
- Ribbon Magic: Thread a length of ribbon through each slit, making sure it’s long enough to create a comfortable handle when tied in a bow.
- Voila! You now have a fashionable and functional mini purse for carrying essentials like lipstick, bobby pins, or even a few coins.
6. Magnetic Fishing Fun: A Catch for All Ages!
Turn your mint tin into a delightful magnetic fishing game, perfect for keeping little ones entertained on the go.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, felt in various colors, small magnets (available at craft stores), paperclips, scissors, glue
- Step-by-Step:
- Felt Frenzy: Get creative and cut out different shapes from your felt. Fish, seahorses, or even fun geometric shapes will work great!
- Magnetic Attraction: Glue a small magnet securely to the back of each felt cutout. Now you have your “catch” for the game!
- Pond Perfection (Optional): Feeling artistic? Decorate the outside of your mint tin to resemble a pond or underwater scene. Use markers, paint, or even cutouts from magazines to create a whimsical backdrop.
- Fishing Fun: Attach a paperclip to the end of a string or yarn – this will be your fishing rod. Now you’re all set to go “fishing” for your felt creations!
7. Travel Jewelry Case: Keep Your Sparkles Safe
Never lose track of your precious earrings or rings again with this handy travel jewelry case.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, felt scraps in various colors, ribbon, scissors, glue
- Step-by-Step:
- Felt Fit: Measure the inside of your mint tin, both the base and the lid. Cut out felt pieces to fit these measurements. You can even create sections for rings, earrings, necklaces, etc., by using additional felt pieces glued together.
- Felt Fiesta: Arrange and glue the felt pieces into the mint tin, creating designated spots for your jewelry.
- Ribbon Flair (Optional): Cut a length of ribbon and glue it around the rim of the mint tin for a decorative touch. You can also add other embellishments like buttons or beads.
- Travel-Ready: Now you have a stylish and secure way to store your jewelry on the go!
8. Breath Minty Freshener:
Keep your breath feeling minty fresh on the go with this adorable DIY spray bottle.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, small travel-sized spray bottle (available at drugstores), rubbing alcohol, distilled water, peppermint essential oil (consult safety information first!), funnel (optional)
- Step-by-Step:
- Clean Canvas: Wash and dry your empty mint tin thoroughly.
- Bottle Buddies: Carefully measure the amount of rubbing alcohol needed to fill half the spray bottle. Combine it with an equal amount of distilled water in a separate container.
- Scent-sational (Safely): Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to the diluted alcohol mixture. Remember, a little goes a long way!
- Fill ‘er Up: Using a funnel (if needed), carefully pour the minty fresh solution into the spray bottle.
- Tin Time: Place the spray bottle securely inside the mint tin. Now you have a portable breath freshener that’s both cute and effective!
9. Mini Herb Garden:
Grow your own tiny herb garden right on your windowsill with this repurposed mint tin.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, potting soil, small packets of herb seeds (such as basil, parsley, or chives), spoon, water
- Step-by-Step:
- Drainage Holes: Poke a few small holes in the bottom of the mint tin for drainage.
- Soil Surprise: Fill the mint tin with moistened potting soil, leaving a small gap at the top.
- Seed Symphony: Following the seed packet instructions, carefully sow a few herb seeds into the soil.
- Water Wisely: Use a spray bottle to gently water the seeds, avoiding oversaturation.
- Sunny Spot: Place your mini herb garden in a bright, sunny location and keep the soil moist. Soon, you’ll have fresh herbs ready to snip and enjoy!
10. DIY Lip Balm Tin:
Make your own nourishing lip balm and store it in a charming mint tin container.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, beeswax pellets (available at craft stores), shea butter, coconut oil, vitamin E oil (optional), essential oil of your choice (consult safety information first!)
- Step-by-Step:
- Melt Magic: Using a double boiler method, melt the beeswax pellets, shea butter, and coconut oil together until they form a smooth liquid.
- Vitamin Boost (Optional): Add a few drops of vitamin E oil for extra nourishment (consult a recipe for specific quantities).
- Scent-sational (Safely): Once the mixture cools slightly, add a few drops of your chosen essential oil for a pleasant scent.
- Tin Time: Carefully pour the melted mixture into the clean mint tin and let it cool completely. Now you have a portable lip balm that’s both effective and beautiful!
11. Mini Dice Game:
Challenge your friends to a quick game of chance with this portable dice set.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, small wooden cubes (available at craft stores), paint pens or markers
- Step-by-Step:
- Cube Canvas: Paint or decorate your wooden cubes with dots to resemble traditional dice. You can create different variations for multiple games.
- Tin Transformation: Decorate the outside of the mint tin if desired. You can even label it with the type of dice game you’ve created (e.g., Yahtzee Jr.).
- Game Time!: Pop your decorated cubes into the mint tin and you’re ready to roll!
12. Custom Nail Art Kit:
Keep your nails looking fabulous on the go with this compact nail art kit.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, small nail polish bottles in various colors, nail art tools (dotting tools, striping tape, etc. – optional), cotton swabs, nail polish remover
- Step-by-Step:
- Polish Parade: Organize your favorite nail polishes in the mint tin.
- Tool Time (Optional): If you enjoy nail art designs, include a few small nail art tools like dotting tools or striping tape.
- Clean Up Crew: Don’t forget to add a couple of cotton swabs soaked in nail polish remover for easy clean-up.
- Nail It!: Now you have everything you need to create beautiful nail art designs wherever you are!
13. Mini Message Board:
Leave sweet notes or reminders for loved ones with this adorable mini message board.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, cork sheet (cut to size), small pushpins, decorative ribbon (optional), scissors, glue
- Step-by-Step:
- Cork Canvas: Cut a piece of cork sheet to fit snugly inside the base of the mint tin. Glue it securely in place.
- Pin Power: Push a few decorative pushpins into the cork sheet to create designated spots for holding messages.
- Ribbon Flair (Optional): Cut a length of ribbon and glue it around the rim of the mint tin for a decorative touch.
- Message Magic: Now you can leave sweet notes, reminders, or even grocery lists on the corkboard for your loved ones to see!
14. Mini Emergency Kit for Electronics:
Keep your tech gadgets safe from minor mishaps with this handy emergency kit.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, cotton swabs, screen wipes, small screwdrivers (optional), painter’s tape
- Step-by-Step:
- Tech Tidy: Organize your cotton swabs and screen wipes neatly inside the mint tin.
- Screwdriver Stash (Optional): If you have tiny screwdrivers for electronics repair, you can include them in the kit secured with painter’s tape.
- Tech Rescue: Now you have a mini arsenal of tools to tackle minor electronic cleaning or repair situations!
15. Mini Sewing Project Keeper:
Never lose track of your unfinished sewing projects again with this convenient storage solution.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, felt scraps, small sewing notions (buttons, needles, pins, etc.), scissors, glue
- Step-by-Step:
- Felt Fit: Cut a piece of felt to fit the base of the mint tin and glue it securely in place. This will help keep your notions from rattling around.
- Pocket Power (Optional): Feeling ambitious? Sew small pockets onto the felt to designate specific areas for buttons, needles, or pins.
- Project Stash: Use the mint tin to store leftover yarn, sewing thread, or small fabric scraps from your current project.
- Stitch It Up!: Now you have a portable way to keep your unfinished sewing projects organized and accessible!
16. Mini Spy Kit:
Let your little ones unleash their inner secret agent with this fun and imaginative spy kit.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, black construction paper, small magnifying glass (available at dollar stores), mini notepad and pencil, stickers (optional), scissors, glue
- Step-by-Step:
- Secret Stash: Cut a piece of black construction paper to fit the inside lid of the mint tin. Glue it in place to create a “secret compartment.”
- Magnify Mystery: Include a small magnifying glass for inspecting clues and hidden messages.
- Noteworthy Notes: Add a mini notepad and pencil for jotting down important intel.
- Sticker Power (Optional): Decorate the outside of the mint tin with spy-themed stickers for extra flair.
- Undercover Operation: Now your little secret agents have everything they need to embark on thrilling covert missions!
17. Mini First-Aid Kit for Pets:
Be prepared for minor scrapes or bumps your furry friend might encounter with this adorable pet first-aid kit.
- Materials: Empty mint tin, cotton balls, antiseptic wipes (consult a vet for pet-safe options), gauze pads (cut into small squares), tick remover (optional), vet contact information written on a small piece of paper
- Step-by-Step:
- Pet Perfect: Line the mint tin with a soft piece of fabric (optional) for added comfort.
- Clean Crew: Pack the tin with cotton balls and antiseptic wipes specifically formulated for pet use (consult your vet for recommendations).
- Boo-Boo Bandages: Cut gauze pads into small squares for cleaning minor wounds.
- Ticked Off (Optional): If you live in an area with ticks, include a small tick remover.
- Vet Essentials: Write your veterinarian’s contact information on a small piece of paper and tuck it inside the tin for easy access in case of emergency. Now you can feel prepared to handle minor pet mishaps while on the go!
Conclusion
These are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing! The possibilities for mint tin crafts are truly endless. So next time you finish a pack of mints, don’t throw the tin away. Upcycle it into something beautiful and useful!
We’d love to see your mint tin creations! Share photos of your projects in the comment section below to inspire others and show the world the magic of upcycling!