Lately, we’ve been trying to teach our kids about saving money. Of course, we’re keeping it simple, but part of our efforts has been to talk to them about only spending parts of their allowance and putting a portion of it away for later. That’s why we’ve also been on the lookout for awesome DIY piggy banks that we can make and use together in order to make the whole process a little more practical and fun.
Check out these fantastic ideas, designs, and tutorials for fun homemade piggy banks if you’re looking to start helping your kids save their pocket change too!
1. Paper plate frog bank
Of course, the second we thought of making something with our kids, even though learning how to save isn’t necessarily typically an opportunity for crafting, we decided we wanted to try and use supplies we already had in our crafting room. That’s why we were so pleased to come across this idea from Simply Today Life for using a paper plate to make a funny little froggy bank!
2. Silly ‘stache jars
Mason jars are just one of those things that you can clean out, save, and use in just about a million ways. That’s why we’re always holding onto them until we need one, since we always end up needing one for something! Of course, a mason jar will make a decent piggy bank just as it is if you cut a slit in the lid, but we think this idea from About Family Crafts for adding googly eyes and a moustache makes things a little more fun.
3. Shadow box bank
If you’re going to go to the trouble of making a DIY piggy bank, would you much rather create something that has a little bit of a motivating element to it? Then we think you’ll get a kick out of these shadow box banks from A Mom’s Take! They show you how to place a relevant picture of what you’re trying to save up for, like a vacation to a particular place in the back, where you’ll see it and be reminded of how much you want that thing every time you put some change in.
4. Water bottle airplane piggy bank
If you’re making the piggy bank for your kids and not yourself, something like a vacation might not be the best motivating thing. We happen to think our kids would probably do better with a bank shaped like something they really like instead! That’s why this cute airplane piggy bank caught our eye! Bright Nest teaches you step by step how to make a simple plane shaped bank from a water bottle and some paper.
5. Fun shapes coffee bank
Have you actually been scrolling through our list hoping to come across something a little more subtle or minimalist that you might put on the sideboard for yourself, rather than something kitschy meant just for your kids? Well, if you’re a coffee drinker with access to an empty grounds can, then you have almost everything you need to make this easy hand drawn bank from Cut Out and Keep happen!
6. Giant mail tube pencil piggy bank
Perhaps you’re actually in the market for an idea that will help your kids make something even more kitschy than some of the things you’ve seen so far? Then we’re absolutely certain you’re going to love the way Damask Love used size to create a bit of novelty. Check out their tutorial to learn more about how they made this jumbo pencil piggy bank from a large mailing tube!
7. Handy Hamm piggy bank
Are you still feeling quite intrigued by the idea of making a piggy bank modelled after something your kids really like, but you’d rather do a movie character than just a thing? Well, if they’ve ever been Toy Story fans like ours are, then we think you might find success with this adorable Handy Hamm piggy bank outlined step by step on Disney Family! They show you how to make it happen using a large jar, some paint, and your papier mache techniques.
8. DIY felt piggy bank
Are you actually just looking for a small space to keep your occasional scattered coins rather than a spot to store all of your spare change long term, just to keep them our of the bottom of your purse or pockets? Then maybe you’d prefer to see how Dream a Little Bigger made this funny little felt change purse that is shaped like a piggy bank instead!
9. Stencilled mason jar piggy bank
Just in case we really caught your attention when we started talking about the simple idea of making a mason jar piggy bank with a bit of decorum but the moustache idea we showed you earlier doesn’t really appeal to you, here’s an awesome alternative! Check out how Dukes and Duchesses used some simple stencilling techniques to create a negative space lettered quote on the surface of a cheerful, brightly coloured jar bank.
10. Water bottle trio banks
When you set out to make a piggy bank to help your kids learn about saving, were you actually hoping to come across something that’s based a little more in overall money management? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at how It Still Works created this fantastic triple-bank that has sections for saving, spending, and even sharing. It’s a little bit more of a useful teaching device rather than just a regular piggy bank!
11. Mason jar super hero piggy banks
Just in case you’re not quite over the idea of making mason jar piggy banks yet but you’re still on the lookout for a theme that will really appeal to your kids and encourage them to use it, here’s an awesome alternative idea for the superhero and comic book lovers in the room! Get more details for making banks themed after Superman, Batman, and others on Fireflies and Mud Pies.
12. Glittered dollar store piggy bank
Do you actually already have one of those classic little pig shaped piggy banks that you’re trying to encourage your kids to use, but you can’t help thinking that they’d be more inclined if it were a bit more snazzy looking? In that case, we think you’ll get a real kick out of the way Greta’s Day added some sparkle to their change saving habits by fully glittering theirs! Their tutorial shows you how to properly seal yours so it doesn’t shed glitter everywhere each time to pop a coin through the slot.
13. Wooden stand and jam jar banks
Did we actually really catch your attention with the idea of making a triple-bank with different sections to it but you’re the kind of decor loving person who would much rather create something that will suit the rest of your room’s design scheme a little better than the water bottles we showed you previously? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at how Homemade Ginger made this small jam jar version, but complete with a hand built and painted wooden stand for a bit of colourful rustic chic.
14. Gravity powdered coin sorting machine
Are you the kind of person who has no problem saving your change but who never ends up taking it to the bank to cash in because you can’t stand sorting through the coins to roll them? In that case, we’re pretty sure this unique piggy bank from Instructables just might solve your problems! They show you how to make a shockingly simple coin sorting bank that uses coin size measurements and gravity to put the coins into the right sorted slot using only gravity when you put them in the top. It’s like a craft, a saving tactic, and a physics lesson, all in one place!
15. Wall mounted coin vaults
Have you actually been scrolling through our list thinking about how much you liked the idea of making a shadow box bank like we showed you before but you can’t help wishing the design had a bit more flashy decor appeal to it? In that case, we think you just might be the perfect person to give this miniature, metallic painted wall mounted coin vault outlined step by step on Lovely Greens a try!
Have you made other kinds of awesome DIY piggy banks before that you really enjoyed the process of but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!
