Altoids can do so much more than just give you minty fresh breath. Those empty tins are a crafter’s dream! From mini first aid kits to custom Advent calendars, there’s no limit to what you can make with an Altoid tin as your base.
First Aid Kit
A mini first aid kit is a practical thing to have on hand, but you don’t need to buy one. It’s easy to make your own using an Altoid tin and some supplies from your medicine cabinet. Massachusetts Mommy shows you how.
Aromatherapy Travel Kit
Essential oils can be used to treat many minor aches and pains, but taking full sized bottles of your favorite oils on the road isn’t a smart move. Instead, create a tiny aromatherapy travel kit with the help of Confessions of an Overworked Mom.
Travel Makeup Kit
Use Altoid tins to stash your favorite makeup essentials so you can be effortlessly pretty on the go. You can decorate the outside of the tin how you like, or just leave it plain. Livewell Network shows you how.
Crayon Tin
Use an empty Altoid tin to hold crayons and paper for your little artist. This project would also be perfect as an inexpensive yet useful party favor for a child’s birthday celebration. A Jennuine Life has the details.
Watercolor Set
Indulge your passion for painting by creating a tiny watercolor set that can be slipped into a purse or backpack to make art on the go. Balzer Designs shows you how.
Lego Set
If you have a child who loves Legos, turn an empty Altoid tin into a mini Lego set to be used as a distraction in waiting rooms and on long car rides. All you need are a few mini figures and some basic bricks. Head over to 30 Minute Crafts for the full instructions.
Business Card Holder
Keep business cards protected yet easily accessible by stashing them in an Altoid tin decorated with washi tape and fabric scraps. You can see this project, as well as four other Altoid tin crafts, at HGTV’s Design Happens blog. (If you don’t have business cards, the same concept could be used for organizing store loyalty program cards.)
Funky Fridge Magnets
Use items from your craft stash to turn your empty mint tins into unique and artistic refrigerator magnets. You can use old greeting cards, family photos, magazine pages, or pages from adult coloring books, then accent them with beads, stickers, buttons, or tiny charms and plastic figurines. You can see examples of this project on Green Cricket Salvage.
Gift Card Holders
One criticism people often have of giving gift cards for birthdays and other special occasions is that gift cards aren’t personal enough. You can easily fix that problem by presenting your cards in decorated Altoid tins that the recipient can use as storage for small items around the home. Learn more at HP.com.
Altoid Tin Advent Calendar
If you have several empty tins, try using them to make a decorative Advent calendar. Head over to Handkrafted by Stephanie to learn more about this unique project.
