Last Updated on May 26, 2022 by Ellen Christian
I’m always looking for Altoid tin crafts because they upcycle something that I already have. Here are some crafts with Altoid tins to inspire you.
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Upcycling is the act of taking something useless or is waste material of some sort into something new. In this case, I have turned this empty tea tin which is similar in size to an Altoid tin into a cute Valentine’s Day box. You could do the same craft with an empty Altoid or other mint tin. There are so many amazing things to do with an Altoids tin.
Altoid Tin Crafts
My husband loves Altoids, and I love Celestial Seasonings Tea which is where these cute tins came from. Between the two of us, we have far too many little tins that we need to use up.
There are so many different ways to upcycle them. You can decoupage on them or paint them or simply glue paper and scrapbook materials to the top as I did here.
The art of upcycling involves using materials that you have on hand so ideally, you wouldn’t head out to the craft store for Altoid tin projects. I had all sorts of unique craft ideas I was thinking about but in an attempt to use what I had on hand, this is what I created.
I started with some floral scrapbooking paper that I had and cut it to the size of the top of the tin and then carefully glued it on top. You could do the same thing with construction paper, the front of a greeting card, a map, sheet music, or even comics if that’s what you have on hand.
After that, you need to decorate the top. You can use ribbon, buttons, beads, stickers, scrapbook embellishments, or any other little things you have on hand. Since I was making this for Valentine’s Day, I chose ribbons and buttons that were pink and white and matched the floral scrapbook paper that I used as a background.
If I was making it for a different holiday or a birthday, I would have chosen different colors. If you’re making this for a boy, you could use bright primary colors and comic strip paper.
Inside the tin, simply cut matching or complementary pieces of scrapbook paper. Then use it to line the top and the bottom of the tin. If you don’t have scrapbook paper, use another type of paper or you could use felt or fabric if you’d rather.
Amazing things to do with an Altoids tin
Then just fill the tin with whatever little things you have on hand. I made this for my teenage daughter. I included a Boogie Wipe, paper clips, lip gloss, erasers, etc.
You could include candy, gum, crayons, etc. depending on the age of the person you’re making it for. You could even create your own sewing kit or fill it with teabags if you’d rather. I’ve also used them to organize office supplies and made an aromatherapy travel kit.
I plan on making an Altoid tin survival kit next. I’ll include matches, bandages, a pocket knife, a few ibuprofen, and miscellaneous first aid supplies. I really like this one:
Of course, if you’re all out of Altoid tins, no worries, you can find Altoid tins for sale on Amazon so you have them on hand to make more Altoid tin crafts.
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
For Christmas this year my dauhter and I made a bunch of these from altoid tins for Gift cards. We were a bit pressed for time so we didn’t make them as nice as yours on the inside. My husband keeps all the tins for me so I can craft with them throughout the year. I really like the idea of having or giving a little kit like this. I was thinking it would make a good tin for a sewing kit (emergency) too.
This is the cutest thing! I love this. this would be so fun to do with my daughter in a few years. thanks for sharing this 🙂
Super cute! A great place to keep little treasures!
It definitely is! I keep change in one on my desk all the time.
Great idea! I happen to have a tin in my purse right now and I will use your idea as soon as it is empty!
Fantastic! Let me know how it turns out if you make one!
I love using empty tins for cute little things to collect. 🙂
I just bought some Altoids the other day and would have NEVER thought to do this! Thanks so much for sharing your tips. I’m going to give it a try when it’s empty.
Glad to share, Aly! Let me know how it turns out if you make one!
I love this idea…now I am getting a ton of ideas of what to fill it with!
Glad you enjoyed it. There are so many possibilities!
I have been wanting to make something with Altoids’ tins. I even bought some just for a craft, but haven’t gotten to it yet. I love the paper on the inside as well as outside.
It was a lot of fun to make, Laura! I can see me making a lot more of them LOL.
I saw the Altoids in tins..anything else? I don’t like Altoids. I got them cheap enough if I can’t stand eating them.
I created this one using a tin I found in a package of tea. Maybe the dollar store might have some or check on Freecycle to see if someone has a stash they can share.
It looks easy and fun, something I bet the kids would like doing too.
This would be great for the kids. Not only could they decorate it but then use it to store their little treasures too!
I like to keep change in them in the car so I don’t have to go scrounging around under seats for it when I need it! Very cute idea!
Great idea, I have so many little tins laying around. The kids use them for barbie shoes! lol
I should make a whole bunch of these for my kids, they love to collect little treasures and have somewhere special to put them.
Cute ideas! I have a few tins lying around here I could use.
Great idea!
I was only using old tins for pins or clips but adding a bit of pizazz seems like the way to go.
Hey, Great post! What a wonderful way to save an old tin. Thank you for joining my blog hop. I hope to see you there next week too.
Garrett @TheGrowingPatch
That tin is super cute and the perfect, cheap, little gift!
I love this idea, to upcycle unused tin can into nice survival kit.
LOVE IT! This would make a super cool mini beauty kit for my best friend!
What a cute idea. I always have lots of Altoids tins around, they are my favorite. I love this idea. I think I have everything I need for this. I need to get my craft on!
Ellen what an really neat idea!! Love it!!!
This is a really neat idea.
Now that’s adorable!
What a great idea! You could also do one with the Boogie Wipe, a bandaid, packet of first aid ointment and alcohol wipe. Thank’s for the awesome idea!!!
Adorable!! Pinned!!
What a neat idea, I love upcycled projects! This would be great to house a “survival kit” kind of like the one posted last week by Jaime! Or this one that I found on pinterest….
2013 Survival Kit 🙂 Thought this was cute!
Came upon this today…just had to share! Enjoy!
DAILY SURVIVAL KIT for the NEW YEAR to help you each day…………
*Toothpick … to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
*Rubber band … to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.
*Band-Aid … to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else’s.
*Eraser … to remind you everyone makes mistakes. That’s okay, we learn from our errors.
*Candy Kiss … to remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.
*Mint … to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.
*Bubble Gum … to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.
*Pencil … to remind you to list your blessings every day.
*Tea Bag … to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of blessings.
*This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day
*Wishing you love, gratitude, friends to cherish, caring, sharing, laughter, music, and warm feelings in your heart in the 2013 year.
I totally wanted to make this for my girls to keep as helpful reminders!!! Yay! Thank you for such a great idea!