Hi
With a baby, we have empty cans of formula piling up really quickly. Any idea what can be done with that?

We can definitely use them to store stuff - like stationary or pens or kitchen items but I was looking for something more innovative.

Maybe paint them and decorate them - can somebody suggest a unique way of decorating them?

Well I do decoupage and that would be a way to decorate old tins, but with a new baby you would not have time for all that cutting! How big are the cans? Could you stack them on their sides and maybe store wipes, or washclothes etc in them? I have covered oatmeal boxes with wallpaper remnants, (wrapping paper would work too)and they hold up well. Lordy its been so many years since I dealt with formula that I have no idea how big these cans are, could you measure them and post the size? Someone here will think of something!

I would either freecycle them or donate them to a preschool. I just didn't have the time to be creative when the babies were small. Keep a couple for the baby to use as a drum!

I can't remember where, but I saw this idea Somewhere: Fasten a grouping together (3, for example), turn them on their sides and you have round cubby holes. It's the same principle as storing pens, etc.just an easier and different way to see inside. They make cute birdhouses (http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Coffee-Can-Birdhouse/detail.aspx ) and easy to make feeders (http://birding.about.com/library/howto/htcoffeecanfeeder.htm ) and fun snowmen, etc. (http://crafterscommunity.com/forum/craft-gallery/11954-coffee-can-snowman.html )

I hope this helps.

Do they come with plastic lids? You could use them to store anything... just paint them and use your fantasy. But here's another idea that just popped up: why not keep some for your baby when she/he is a bit older to decorate her/himself? You could let him work with paper and (child safe)glue to begin with and maybe (your job of course) finish it off with varnish and use it to store small toys, crayons etc. If you want to create a creative child... 99 out of 100 crafters I know say their first craft projects date back to 3 years old under mummy's guidance and inspiration. I still have some of mine and I'm grateful to both mum and dad forever.

I am having an aquantance from freecycle save my all his coffee cans because I want to do luminaries this winter.

here's a snowman that looks cute and easy

halloween luminary

You could make a drum out of them - or a giant rattler, put sand inside and seal the lid...free entertainment for your child LOL

I found some more projects:

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/coffeecancrafts/index.htm

This footstool has been around many years so you may have already seen it:

http://www.mycraftbook.com/CraftIdea.asp?craftID=10

Joy

Joy, excellent idea! I've never seen that before, I think I'll try to make one! thanks

Thanks a lot all! Here is what I am thinking:
- make a drum out of one by filling it up with some beads that rattle and then sealing it off.
- get b/w pictures and decoupage on one to make a cute container - maybe a coin bank
- make storage containers with the rest.

If they are 'tin' cans, you can use them in the garden when growning any type of melon or squash. Put them underneath the fruit to raise them up so the mice can't get at them.

The footstool made from cans must have been around a long time. I can remember my grandmother had one with great old fabric on the cans. That was 50 years ago!!!

Just had an after thought!!! they would be awesome to make little snowmen primative lights from. I'm jealouse..I just wish I knew someone with a new baby so I could get her to save some for me .lol!!! If you would like to know how to make some just pm me and I will give you instructions on them.They are very easy and very cute ..and you could make them for next to nothing. And lots of fun to make too..if you enjoy crafting. Donna