How To Repurpose An Empty Peanut Butter Jar

What do you do with all those peanut butter jars once the peanut butter is gone? In addition to recycling, there are many ways to repurpose them. Whether you want to make crafts or teach children about taking care of the planet, peanut butter jars can be used for so much more than just storing peanut butter. Check out these ideas and get creative!

Crafts

The fun doesn't need to end with the last glob of peanut butter. You can use your empty jar to make a number of crafts that'll keep your hands busy, regardless of whether you're a do-it-yourself type, or looking for something your kids will enjoy. Some of these crafts are functional and some are decorative, but all require only a few simple materials to complete.

• Piggybank: Clean and dry the jar. Cut a slit in the top for coins and fill it with spare change. Use a hot glue gun to attach buttons, felt, a strip of cloth, and sequins to decorate.

• Snow globe: Use E6000 glue to attach a plastic figurine to the jar lid, then fill the jar with distilled water (tap water can cloud up over time). Fill the rest of the jar with glitter and miniature beads. Screw-on lid and hot glue closed before shaking.

• Terrariums: Clean and dry the jars thoroughly and then layer sand, soil, rocks, and moss to create a mini-ecosystem in your peanut jar.

• Christmas Ornaments: Cut out shapes like stars from scraps of fabric or felt and use Modge Podge to secure them onto glass jars. Use string or ribbon to hang these as Christmas tree ornaments!

• Candy Jars: Glue on some buttons for eyes and a smiley mouth so that it looks like an adorable face! You can also add pipe cleaners for hair if you want! Fill with candy or confetti for party decorations!

• Fairy Houses: Paint little doorways into each side of the peanut butter jar lid and glue on a small doorknob for fun! If you have tiny porcelain dolls, they make great inhabitants as well!

Pretend play

You can also use the jar in pretend play. Have the kids decide how they want to use it for pretend play and let them decorate it if they wish. They could make a face on the jar with permanent markers or paint to create an alien or monster that hides under the bed and growls at night! You could allow them to make something from any of the craft ideas above and then use it in their pretend play.

Storage

Storage jars are always handy to have around the home or classroom. They can be used for storage of loose parts or sensory materials in classrooms, they can be used for dry goods and hardware in basements, and they can be used for storing paperclips and scissors in an office. You can even use them to store snacks in the pantry, just wash well and you've got an instant snack storage jar the perfect size to throw in the diaper bag and go. Jars can also be decorated with a variety of materials to make them look nicer and labeled with their contents so that you know where everything is.

The possibilities are endless! What would you use your jars for?

Noise Maker

Create a noisemaker with dried beans, rice, or beads. This craft is easy and requires no glue. Simply fill the jar halfway to avoid spillage, use a lid, or cover the opening with tape. Shake hard for a loud sound! You can also use a variety of items to create a unique sound.

Use items gathered from nature: rocks, acorns, shells, pinecones, etc., for an outdoor-themed noisemaker.

Peanut butter jars are great for repurposing into crafty and practical ideas around the home or classroom.

There are so many ways you can use peanut butter jars! Click here to see how our friend @nanny_amy_ turns her jars into a nature terrarium!

It is time to start thinking outside of the peanut butter jar. Seriously, know that there are more uses for these handy jars than just storing deliciousness inside them (in fact, you don't even have to put peanut butter into them).

Do you love repurposing items and giving them new life? Do you like crafting or do you want some cheap and easy ways to organize your household? Tell us how you repurpose your peanut butter jars in the comments!