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Home » Repurpose

How To Make Gorgeous DIY Tin Can Lanterns

Modified: Apr 30, 2019 by Vanessa Beaty · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

Do you know how many tin cans I throw out every year? I venture to say that I could fill my entire backyard with some of these gorgeous tin can lanterns with what I throw away in a week or so.

These DIY tin can luminaries are so very easy to make, and they’re a great recycling craft if you go through a lot of tin cans.

What’s A Tin Can Luminary?

These luminaries are made from recycled tin cans. You just poke holes in the can to create the design that you want – or you could just make random holes – and when you're finished, you place a candle inside and it glows through the holes. You can also do these with clear lights.

Tin can with holes for light

How Do You Poke Holes In A Can?

You use a hammer and nail to poke the holes. I can't stress enough that you need to be very careful that you don't injure yourself when hammering nails into a can and don't push the nail through too far, just enough to create the hole.

How Do I Paint Tin Cans?

You can absolutely paint these if you want to match an outdoor theme. Just keep in mind that if you are using candles, you need to use a paint that is safe for use with fire. Many spray paints are okay to use, and the painting process is straightforward.

Similar Project:  23 Gorgeous DIY Bed Canopy Projects (To Sleep in Luxury)

Paint the cans before you poke the holes so that the paint doesn't clog the holes up.

What Else Can You Make Out Of Tin Cans?

One of my favorite things is finding crafts to make from the things that I usually throw away. I'm not a dumpster diver by any means, but if there's a neat DIY project that can be done with recycled items, I'll find it.

As far as tin cans go, there are tons of things that you can turn them into once you’re finished with them.

Do you remember these 50 ideas for upcycling tin cans? How about this tutorial on how to make a hot glue gun from a tin can? I've also shown you some fantastic ways to upcycle empty tuna cans.

Top of tin can luminary

How To Make Repurposed Tin Can Lanterns

Video Tutorial:

 


These repurposed tin can lanterns are the perfect way to illuminate your outdoors this summer. This is a simple project, and it's a great way to use up those empty cans and keep them out of the landfill.

Tin can turned into lantern

Yield: 1 Lantern Per Can

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Active Time: 15 Minutes

Total Time: 20 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Materials:

  • Empty Tin Cans
  • Printed Shapes
  • Marker
  • Candle
  • Tools:
  • Nail
  • Hammer
  • Scissors

Instructions:

1. First, get your supplies together. You are going to want to wash and dry the empty tin cans – nobody wants a smelly lantern. Choose the size of the can that you want.

Similar Project:  Rustic Old Book Page Pumpkin Fall Decoration

Supplies for making a tin can luminary

2. Now you'll want to choose the shape that you want to create. I used a star, but you can do whatever form you want for the holes. Print or draw that shape. It will be your template. Make sure that the image fits on the can and doesn't overlap.

Cut out of template for making tin can lantern

3. Cut the shape with your scissors and then trace the outline onto your can with a marker.

Tracing the template onto the tin can

4. Now comes the fun part! Begin by creating holes on the shape using the hammer and nail. Remember to not push the nail too far into the can. This is the shape that will illuminate when your can is finished, and you place the candle.

Poking holes in a tin can with hammer and nail

5. Have fun! That's the most essential part of any DIY craft project. You may create your own flow and make it easier. It's all about doing things our way.

Making holes in a tin can for lantern

6. When you are finished poking the holes, place your candle inside the can (or clear lights if that’s the way you chose to go)

DIY tin can luminary

7. Your finished repurposed can lantern should look something like this:

Tin can lit up with a candle

And there you have the easiest DIY lantern for summer entertaining!

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  1. GAle

    May 01, 2019 at 12:02 am

    You can put a piece of wood inside the can so it doesn't crush when hammering the nail. You can also free some water inside of the can, I have done it both ways. Just an idea!

    Reply
    • Denise Blackman

      May 01, 2019 at 5:47 pm

      Yes , do freeze.

      Reply
  2. Denise B

    May 01, 2019 at 5:43 pm

    A way to keep the can from crushing is to: 1. draw your print on the can 2. fill the cans with water 3.freeze the water fill can 4. take out your frozen can and start hammering your print. Refreeze if need to. It will not crush.

    Reply
    • Pinknlos

      May 03, 2019 at 11:54 pm

      Wow, that's a great idea. Thanks, I'm planning on making about 40 of these, personalized to give as favors for my birthday camping trip - at the campsite! I love it! Hope I can do it in time! *Fingers crossed

      Reply
  3. Margue

    November 21, 2019 at 7:01 am

    I use a drill and log much faster

    Reply
  4. Nan

    April 05, 2022 at 2:41 pm

    Love your tutorial on making can lanterns. Have been looking online for directions and found your website. Look forward to receiving emails from you.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 18 DIY upcycling projects that'll make the most of your waste (and weekend) says:
    May 17, 2020 at 12:01 pm

    […] 9. Tin cans → Lanterns […]

    Reply

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