15 Utterly Adorable And Useful Ways You Can Use Leftover Baby Food Jars
If your little one has moved onto solid foods, you'll soon notice your home will practically be flooded with used-up baby food jars. Infants may be tiny, but their growing bodies need a seemingly never-ending supply of food!
And due to their shape and how sturdy they are, baby food jars are perfect many things. You could simply use these leftover jars for storage, or you could release your imaginative side and use them for something a lot more creative. Because, as it turns out, there are plenty of genius and crafty ways in which you can put a simple baby food jar (or two, or three) to good use.
So without further ado, here are 15 incredibly inventive ways in which to capitalise on your used baby food jars.
1. A pincushion
Credit: craftpudding.blogspot.com
Aside from a baby food jar, you will need a glue gun, thread, needle, polyfill, a piece of fabric cut in a 5" diameter circle and enough ribbon to fit around the jar lid.
Using your needle and thread, sew around the circular fabric but do not finish it entirely. Make sure the stitch is simple as you will need to pull the thread to close the circle. While doing this, your glue gun should be getting hot and ready for use. Then place the polyfill in the middle of the fabric, before pulling the thread with your needle.
For full instructions, click here.
2. Salt and pepper shakers
Credit: dreamalittlebigger.com
Now you could just use your empty baby food jars to store your salt and pepper - simple. Or you could spice it up a little by decorating your new shakers. Using nothing more than paints that work well on glass (such as, FolkArt Enamels paints) and stencils, go ahead and start decorating.
3. Minions
Credit: bettycrocker.com
If you have a little one, chances are, they know all about the Minions (or will do eventually). So instead of wasting any money on a minion stuffed toy, why not make your own ones using little more than some baby food jars, yellow spray paint, googly eyes, a hot glue gun, and cardstock.
4. A Storage plaque
Credit: ohhowcrafty.blogspot.com
Okay, so this particular jar-related hack is not only incredibly useful but if done well, can contribute quite nicely to the overall décor of your place. Pretty much all you will need is a wooden plaque, baby food jars, and some paint. Start by painting the plaque and the inside bits of the jar at the bottom, then using E6000 craft glue, stick the jars on the plaque.
5. A snow globe
Credit: craftaholicsanonymous.net
Okay, so Christmas might be over for now, but it's never too early or late for a snow globe. They're just so pretty!
For an in-depth step-by-step guide on how exactly to make them, click here.
6. Mini-vases
Credit: applesandonions.com
So this hack is similar to the salt and pepper shaker hack in that you technically don't have to do anything to the actual jars in order to use them for this particular purpose. But if you would like to put your DIY skills to good use, then you can always paint the jars using some of your favourite colours.
7. Magnetised jars for spices
Credit: oneluckypickle.com
For a handy little hack for your kitchen, make your very own spice jars with magnets attached. All you will need, aside from the jars, are cardstock, distressing ink, magnets, and a hot glue gun.
Click here for the full instructions.
8. S’Mores in a jar
Credit: diyncrafts.com
This one is both cute, utterly delicious, and would make for an incredibly thoughtful gift. With the S'Mores inside, just present them as they are for the receiver of the gift to bake in their own homes.
9. A candle
Credit: boxwoodclippings.com
Want a cosy evening in? Then we can help you set up the perfect atmosphere for it, while simultaneously putting your empty baby food jars to good use. Simple add a wick to candle wax and your favourite fragrance, and voilà!
For full instructions, click here.
10. Picture magnets using the lids
Credit: ohhowcrafty.blogspot.com
For this very sentimental hack, what you will need is the lids of baby food jars rather than the jars themselves. You will also need the photos (you plan on placing inside), cardboard, magnet disks, craft glue, and scrapbook paper.
For full instructions, click here.
11. A glass chandelier
Credit: popsugar.com
If you're very ambitious and have, for whatever reason, stockpiled a whole load of baby jars, then you might want to go ahead and make your very own chandelier!
12. Homemade finger paints
Credit: easiepeasie.blogspot.co.nz
Baby food jars are perfect for storing homemade finger paints. In order the make the finger paints themselves, you will need 3 tbs of sugar, 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/2 a cup of cornstarch, food colouring and 2 cups of water.
13. Use for storage underneath the shelf
Credit: craftinessisnotoptional.com
If you're not particularly interested in creating something entirely new out of your baby food jars, then you could use them for storage. Perhaps for those items you want to be kept out of sight, but close to hand.
14. Pencil holder resembling a LEGO head
Credit: handmadecharlotte.com
Using yellow acrylic paint and a permanent marker, turn your jar into a LEGO pencil holder. Learn more about how to do just that here.
15. Snowmen ornaments
Credit: stareifyoumust.blogspot.com
For this very Christmassy hack, you will need paints, fabric, wire, and thread.
Learn exactly how to make your own DIY snowman, complete with a cute little winter hat.
Of course, you don't necessarily have to rely on used jars in order to join in the fun. If you want to get in touch with your creative side, but have few supplies, just find whatever you need online. Then let the fun begin!