This is a great way to make a personalized bank out of an old coffee can. This is a craft that your children can use for a long time.
- An empty can with a tight-fitting plastic top (like a coffee can)
- A craft knife (to cut the slot in the plastic top)
- Construction paper or fun foam (available in craft stores)
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Glue (hot glue is best, but white glue does work)
- Rubber bands (only if you're using white glue instead of hot glue)
- Markers
- Optional – A photo of the child
Instructions
The slot: Using a sharp craft knife, make a small rectangular slot in the flexible plastic top large enough to fit any coin. An adult should do this part.
Measuring the paper or foam: Cut a rectangle of paper (or foam) that will wrap around the can. The height of the paper (or foam) should be slightly less than the height of the can, to allow the plastic top to go on and off smoothly. The width should be about half an inch longer than the circumference of the can, so you can overlap the paper (or foam) a little when you glue it on later.
Decorating: Lay the sheet of paper (or foam) on a table.
If you want to have the child’s picture on the bank, first position the picture where you think it will look good on the can and outline the picture with a pencil. Remove the picture and cut a hole smaller than the pencil lines you drew. Glue or tape the photo to the back of the paper (or foam).
Let the child decorate the paper (or foam). For paper, you can use paper cut-outs, stickers, markers, etc. For foam, foam cut-outs in different colors look very nice. You may want to pick a theme that the child enjoys, like dinosaurs or camping, and cut out decorations related to that theme.
Gluing it to the can: Hot glue is the easiest, it sticks to the can well and the children can use their bank in just a few minutes when the glue cools. White glue also works, but you’ll have to secure the wrapping with a few rubber bands while the glue is drying (this takes a day or so).