Straight out of the bin, this Recycled Tin Can Leprechaun craft is quick and easy to create with the kiddos in an afternoon with simple supplies from Dollar Tree. It’s a fun way to spend some quality time with your kids while making a craft that brings a magical Leprechaun to life.
Read on below, and download the free printable patterns to see how easy this craft is to make with your kids. Also, be sure to check out all of our Dollar Tree Crafts for even more ideas!
Recycled Can Leprechaun and Pot of Gold Craft
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Here's what you need to make a Tin Can Leprechaun
- Recycled Cans – (Large Bean and Mini Veggie sizes)
- DecoArt Americana Acrylic Craft Paint – Titanium White, Lamp Black, Jack-O-Lantern Orange, Festive Green, Flesh Tone of Choice
- Craft Foam, Green, Orange, Gold Glitter – Dollar Tree
- Chenille Stems, Black, Orange – Dollar Tree
- Wiggle Eyes – Dollar Tree
- Grosgrain Ribbon, Rainbow – 5/8″ wide
- Button, Pink
- Paper Shred, White – Dollar Tree
- DecoArt Basecoat Paintbrush Set
- Scissors – I love my Fiskars!
- MONO Twin Permanent Marker
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks – Dollar Tree
- Tin Can Leprechaun and Pot of Gold Patterns – download from the bottom of this post
Here's how to create a Leprechaun from a Vegetable Can
STEP ONE
To begin the tin can leprechaun and pot of gold craft, gather all supplies. Wash and dry the metal cans. Apply a base coat of Titanium White acrylic craft paint to the inside and outside of both cans. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary. Top coat the small veggie can with Lamp Black acrylic craft paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.
STEP TWO
Paint a three-inch band of Festive Green acrylic craft paint around the edge and bottom of the large bean can. Download, print, and cut out Tin Can Leprechaun and Pot of Gold Patterns from the bottom of this post. Trace the face pattern onto the large bean can and paint with the Flesh Tone acrylic craft paint color of your choice. Paint the remainder of the large bean can with Jack-O-Lantern Orange acrylic craft paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary. I love Americana Acrylics from DecoArt because they have one-coat coverage on most surfaces.
STEP THREE
Trace the hat brim pattern onto green craft foam with the MONO Twin permanent marker. Trace the mustache pattern onto orange craft foam with the MONO Twin. Cut out patterns with scissors, cutting inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project. I love drawing and tracing with the MONO Twin Permanent Marker from Tombow because it has a large bullet tip and a small extra fine tip.
Slide the hat brim onto the can where the green paint ends. The ridges in the can will hold the brim in place, but you can secure it with glue. Attach the wiggle eyes, button nose, and mustache to the leprechaun’s face with a glue gun and glue sticks.
STEP FOUR
Cut three orange chenille stems in half and then in half again. Twist each of the twelve pieces of orange chenille stems into circular swirl shapes. Attach randomly to the orange beard of the leprechaun with a glue gun and glue sticks.
STEP FIVE
Glue rainbow ribbon around the leprechaun to create a hat band. Trace the buckle onto the back of gold glitter craft foam with the MONO Twin, then cut out. Fold the buckle in half and cut the smaller square from the center. Glue buckle to the front center of the leprechaun's hat.
STEP SIX
Twist two black chenille stems together. Wrap them around the top of the small veggie can Pot of Gold, twisting to secure. Bend the remaining section of the chenille stem into a handle and secure to the opposite side of the Pot of Gold by twisting the ends.
Trace the gold coin pattern 8-10 times onto the backside of the gold glitter craft foam with the MONO Twin permanent marker. Then cut them out with scissors. Fill the Pot of Gold with crinkle paper shred and then add the gold glitter craft foam coins. Tie the rainbow ribbon in a bow. Trim the ends by cutting out a triangular notch to prevent fraying. Glue the bow onto the front of the Pot of Gold.
Download the Tin Can Leprechaun Patterns HERE
Recycled Vegetable Can Leprechaun and Pot of Gold
Dig into that recycle bin, get the kiddos involved, and create your very own Leprechaun and his Pot of Gold to display on the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day. Make use of the items you have on hand by using a pom pom nose, felt or construction paper accessories, and gold glitter glue. Let the kids create their very own Leprechauns, giving them a custom personality.
Create a St. Patrick's Day Book Stack with three hardback books from Dollar Tree. The cheeky message can be personalized with an alphabet letter rubber stamp set. I love that Dollar Tree carries silk clover bunches with and without gold glitter to give the finishing touch to all of your St. Paddy's Day DIY projects.
Download and print my What is your Leprechaun Name free printable and name tags. There are a HUGE number of name combinations, so this is a great way for everyone to create a lucky leprechaun name. The perfect opportunity to play a fun name game on the luckiest day of the year!
Learn how to make a Mason Jar Leprechaun, a St. Patrick's Day DIY! Candy Coated Peanut Butter Candies from Dollar Tree are one of his favorites and create the perfect backdrop for this magically delicious Mason Jar Leprechaun!
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Too busy to make this Recycled Can Leprechaun and Pot of Gold craft right now? Pin it for later! I'd love for you to pin this project to your favorite craft board on Pinterest and then it’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.
I'd love to hear what you think about this project, or if you want to know more about recycled crafts. If you've made your own Leprechaun projects, I would love to see your creations! Share them on Instagram, and Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #CreativelyBeth
Thanks for stopping by!
This is darling, Beth! The little “curly-cues” from pipe cleaner for his beard just make this! So cute. Thanks for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #28 linkup. Hope to see you next week, too.
YES! I had to add some texture to the plain painted can!
Oh my goodness Beth. These Recycled Tin Can Leprechauns are fabulous!
Thanks bunches for sharing this tutorial with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
THANKS, Paula! Recycling and crafting are my favorites!