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DIY: Lunchbox Container from a Milk Jug


Say goodbye to the brown sack lunchbox! A few months ago, AllYou Magazine came to me with a craft challenge and I'm excited to finally share it with all of you! My project is featured in this month's issue as part of their "Take This, Make That" craft challenge. Please VOTE for my DIY lunchbox right here!


A milk jug makes a great lunch box, because not only is it food-safe, but it is the perfect size to keep your sandwiches from getting squished! Plus it will cost you about $1 to make! It can also be used as a container to organize all your little goodies. And the smaller milk jugs make the perfect on-the-go boxes too.

Now, the kids have another reason to finish their milk!


Materials:
Empty milk jug
Sharpie or marker
Scissors
Button
Threading needle
 Embroidery floss
Elastic hairband
Decorative Cover (optional): Decorative scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, Brush


Steps:
Rinse out the milk jug and peel off the label. If any residue remains, run it under hot water and scrub away with a dish sponge.
To create the flaps, use a marker to draw four half circles, one on each side of the jug. Make one side as tall as possible to create the lid (see image above).
Cut along the inside of the lines and discard the remaining pieces.
Bend down all four flaps so it starts to take the form of a container. If it doesn't fold properly, try making longer slits on each corner of the milk jug.
To create a button loop closure, sew on a button on the top lid.
Directly underneath on the bottom base of the milk jug, pierce a hole with the edge of your scissors. Run a hairband halfway through, knotting the end from the inside of the container to hold in place.
Optional: To personalize the container, decoupage your favorite decorative paper on the lid using Mod Podge, following the directions on the bottle.



25 comments:

  1. What a smart idea! Will makes those for sure.

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  2. These are really fun. What a great idea to bring snacks on road trips.

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  3. Me encantaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, que buena idea, un DIY perfecto. Si te apetece yo también tengo un rinconcito dedicado a tutoriales.
    http://laragarabatea.blogspot.com.es/

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  4. What a GREAT idea! Love this!

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  5. Anonymous7/31/2013

    What an awesome idea!!!

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  6. Great idea!! I found you via the All You Magazine Facebook page - the "Take this...make that" tab!
    So happy when I unexpectedly come across creative peers via social media!! Pinned your idea, liked you on Facebook and I'm officially following you on Blog Lovin' and Twitter now!! *wink*

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  7. Hi Nathalie! What a really nice idea! Congratulations for your blog, it's faboulus! You have a new follower! ; - ) best regards!!! Montse of lesmiliunaidees.blogspot.com

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  8. It looks great for a small carrying container like in the second picture, but won't the food inside be exposed? Bread does get a little crusty when exposed to air for too long.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Mandy! To help the bread from getting stale, you can place the food in a sandwich bag first. This will help it stay fresh and the container will still help it from getting squished in your bag!

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  9. Hi, i love it, but, the package to do this must necessarily be square? Thank you! Greetings from Colombia.

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  10. Hi! I've only tried it with these 2 milk jugs, but I think you could try it with other shapes. Let me know how it goes!

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  11. Anonymous2/23/2014

    I made this project today, and I am so proud of myself! Thanks:) I did not have the button and threading, used to fasten the box, and instead used material from a 4 pocket plastic drop envelope, ( a document holder) that I had laying around. I cut the fasteners off this plastic envelope, and inserted them onto my milk jug box, as directed by this projects previous instructions (button, thread, hair tie (which I did have)) for this task. Worked great and looks great too!

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    Replies
    1. That's fantastic!! I love that you adapted the project with the items you had at home! Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

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  12. Anonymous3/09/2014

    Great idea but don't discard the other half, use it as a funnel for any number of things. One for example would be filling oil in your car cleanly.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous5/03/2014

      Agree..:-)

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    2. Anonymous8/25/2016

      I use the 'funnel' part to fill bird seed from large bags to empty milk jugs. Good bird seed storage and easy to pour.

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  13. What a creative idea.

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  14. I'm so excited to give this a go, and love the idea of personalising them!

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  15. Wow! What an awesome idea! I LOVE, love, love recycled craft projects. I've seen a few milk jug projects but nothing this useful. This will be a perfect money saver for back to school...particularly when your the mother of twins who are always losing things. I'm pinning this on pinterest to save for use. Thanks so much! :)
    Rebecca,
    Borei Design

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