Creative Ideas for Formula Cans

Updated on October 28, 2009
M.C. asks from Omaha, NE
12 answers

Hey Ladies,

I've spent the last nine months throwing away baby formula cans. Every time I throw one away, I always think I should be doing something with this thing... Our area doesn't recycle them. Are there any creative ideas for what to do with these used cans? Thanks.

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J.R.

answers from Davenport on
2 moms found this helpful

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J.V.

answers from Minneapolis on

It's funny to read this, as just two days ago I asked a friend the same question. Heres what she told me- Use them as a gift "bag". Take a nail and a hammer and punch holes in the side of the can to create a design {Christmas Star, Gingerbread man} Then, punch a couple bigger holes {just two on each side of top of can, and tie a ribbon through for 'handles'. Fill with tissue paper and put the present inside, or send it with a candle for a glowing candle holder.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

With our first two kids I just threw the formula cans away. With our 3 I saved them and we have used them multiple times. My kids put their polly pockets and stuff in them that way they know where the clothes and dolls are, We have used them for sticker containers when potty training, we put earings in them, they also work nice for my husband organizing the garage. The kids like to use them for bug catchers, as well as sand box toys, and in there pretent store.

1 mom found this helpful

N.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have decopaged them to use for storage like others have said.....great for game pieces, puzzles (if the picture is small enough..or take a photo of the finished puzzle and add it to the can..water and glue mix to decopage..then buy a can of spray sealer)....for pen/pencil cans on the counter....office supplies....cabinet organizing (I have plastic grocery bags in a tall formula can that I use for small trash can bags..stores them neatly...another for diaper changing garbage bags in another cabinet..keeps them under control!)

Good for crayons and markers.....

Put some cookies or other small homemade goodies for a neighbor gift (an ornament would be great in there as well, espeically if its a breakable one...can cushion in tissue...decopage and seal the outside with holiday papers...put a bow on top!)

Good luck!

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T.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I used some of ours for valentine boxes for the kids at school. They also make a cool toy to play with. It is a rolling picture album. you cover it with paper and then glue your photos on and cover with clear contact paper. you can add some beans or rice to the inside of the can to give it some noise as it rolls across the floor.

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M.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hey M.~ Also contact your local schools sometimes the PK & K teachers like them for crayons and markers on the tables. Just an additional thought. (Thumbs up).

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J.T.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have to share this with my husband...he thinks I'm crazy for storing the ones I've saved.

I threw all mine away from my first baby, but with my 2nd, I kept them all thinking (like you) that there must be a use for them. I keep thinking we'll use them for a craft project or something in the future, but would love to hear if anyone has other ideas.

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J.F.

answers from Rochester on

My dad uses my old formula cans to organize his hardware in the garage. He also uses the old baby food jars.

I've used the formula cans to make craft projects with the kids such as coin banks, "flower pots" with coffee beans and silk flowers, valentine's boxes for school, etc. I also use them to store their collections of rocks, seashells, beads, etc.

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M.R.

answers from Omaha on

Hi M. - I've been wondering the same as I watch my 7 month old niece and started using them as grease cans - rather than dumping grease down the drain I put it in the can, stick the can in the freezer and repeat till full and then throw away with the trash on pick-up days. I have also used the "mega" cans for my daughter's Bratz and Barbie clothes - you can spray paint the can or wrap in white paper and let her color, draw, or write whatever - she loves designing her own "storage". Also works well for legos. Oh - my husband even uses the large cans for nails and screws and such in the garage.....we have all kinds of uses for them :)

You'd be surprised at what you can think of once one suggestion works.....its kinda fun.

Good luck!!!
M.

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M.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

bank, crayon storage or other craft items, as long as you have it cleaned extremely well you can store dryed things like rice in it, I used to dump the box of baby cereal into one so I could scoop out what I wanted instead of over pouring. If you know anyone or have more kids yourself that are in school see if maybe the teacher could use them for anything. I keep my DD's box tops for education in one, all 3 kiddos use them as piggy banks (covered in decoritive paper w/ a pic of them and stickers), I wish I still had formula cans lol I could use some for my carft stuff and to organize my desk! I have tons of colored pencils, markers, etc that I need a bigger container for and a formula can would be perfect. You can also use them to store bulbs in for your garden. You can always ask a local sunday school or scout troop if they could use them for something or even post them on craigslist or freecycle.org Hope this helps!!!

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E.I.

answers from Duluth on

anything really!
nails, pins, hairties, barbie toys, beans (glue it shut for a drum) - i would think anything you buy that comes in a bag or box that wont seal again, like noodles or something, could also go in there... a flower pot, cotton balls, toothbrush holder, as the local school if the art class would use them.

theres so many things you could use them for, its a wonder you havent thought of many yourself! :P

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K.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

Great Question M.!
I just saw this the other day with coffee cans and I think it would work with formula cans too. You spray paint 6 cans and when dry, glue them together with strong glue (like caulk) so that they stack on top of each other to form a pyramid (3 on bottom, 2 on second layer and 1 on top). Make sure to use STRONG glue on all the areas that touch between the cans.
You can then use it as a wine rack! If the cans are too short, you could always cut out the back end so that the bottles would bit better.

I think this would make a nice mail/bills organizer as well.
Good Luck and thanks for thinking green!

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