Hey there, fellow DIYers, curious parents, and upcycle lovers! Let’s cut to the chase: I’ve spent the last 7 years running a metal can lid supply business, and I get asked this question at least three times a week—“Can metal can lids actually be used for making toys?” At first, I thought it was a wild question. I mean, lids are for sealing soup cans, soda cans, that random jar of pickles in the back of your fridge, right? But after working with thousands of makers, crafters, and even small toy studios, I’m here to tell you: yeah, they totally can—and way more safely and creatively than you’d think. Metal Can Lids
First off, let’s clear up the elephant in the room: safety. I know what you’re thinking—sharp edges, lead, rust, all that bad stuff. And that’s why a lot of people write metal lids off before even trying. But here’s the thing: not all metal can lids are created equal. When I source lids for my supply business, I only work with food-grade steel lids that have the standard plastic or porcelain coating on both sides. Those coatings aren’t just for keeping soup fresh—they act as a barrier between the metal and whatever’s inside, but they also prevent the sharp, rough edges of the lid from snagging fingers or cutting little hands. Now, do you still need to prep them? Abso-freaking-lutely. If you just grab a random lid from your pantry, you’re gonna need to sand the edges super smooth, wipe it down with a food-safe cleaner to get rid of any grease or residue, and maybe even re-coat the edge with clear nail polish if you’re feeling extra cautious. But when you use properly sourced and prepped lids, they’re way sturdier than plastic or cardboard for toys—especially for little ones who put everything in their mouths. Kids can bend plastic toys if they’re teething, but a food-grade steel lid? That’s gonna hold up way longer without cracking or breaking into tiny choking hazards.
Let’s talk about actual toys you can make, ’cause I don’t just wanna ramble about safety— I wanna show you the fun stuff. My favorite has to be “can lid spin tops.” I started seeing these pop up on TikTok a couple years ago, and honestly? They’re genius. All you need is a lid, a tiny rubber washer (you can get ’em at any hardware store), and a nail. Drill a small hole right in the center of the lid, push the washer onto the nail, and boom—you’ve got a top that spins way longer than those cheap plastic ones from the dollar store. A lot of the parents I work with say their kids go crazy for these, and since you can customize them with stickers or markers, each top is totally unique. I even had a small toy maker in Ohio order 500 lids from me last year to make a bulk set of these for a local school’s craft day—said it was way cheaper than buying pre-made tops, and the kids had more fun decorating their own.
Another big one is “sensory buttons” for little babies or kids with sensory processing issues. Those lids we supply—they’re flat, round, and have that smooth, non-porous coating that’s super easy to wipe down. If you glue a few lids to a piece of thick cardboard or wood, you’ve got a sensory board that’s tough enough for toddlers to bang, touch, and squeeze without breaking. You can even glue different textures to the center of each lid—like a tiny piece of fabric, pom-pom, or felt—to make it extra stimulating. A speech therapist in Texas hit me up last month asking for 200 lids, said she uses them in her sessions to help kids practice fine motor skills, and since they’re metal, they don’t get stained or smelly like fabric or plastic toys do. That’s a huge win for busy therapists who need stuff that’s easy to sanitize.
Wait, what about older kids? Teens and even adults love making “can lid wind chimes.” All you need is a metal ring, some string, and a bunch of different-sized lids. Drill two small holes on opposite sides of each lid, tie them to the ring at different lengths, and boom—you’ve got a wind chime that sounds way better than the plastic ones you buy at the store. I’ve had college students order lids from me for dorm room decor, and even some retired folks who make them as gifts for grandkids. The key here is using lids of different sizes—they make different pitches, so the chime actually sounds good, not like a bunch of tin cans clanking. And since they’re metal, they’re durable enough to last for years outside, no rusting or fading like plastic.
But hold up—let’s not skip over the upcycle angle, which is huge right now. A lot of people are trying to reduce waste, and metal can lids are a perfect example of something that would otherwise go to a landfill (or, worse, be incinerated) that gets turned into something fun. I did a quick check with a sustainability group in my area last year, and they said that the average household throws away about 10 metal can lids a month—multiply that by every household in the country, and that’s millions of lids ending up in landfills every year. When you turn them into toys, you’re keeping that metal out of the trash, and teaching kids about reusing stuff instead of buying new. That’s a big deal. I had a mom from Chicago tell me she and her 8-year-old make a new toy out of lids every weekend, and her kid even started a little “lid toy” club at school where they collect lids from the cafeteria to make stuff. How cool is that?
Now, I know you’re probably wondering about the downsides, and I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. If you don’t prep the lids properly, they can be sharp. I once had a guy order lids from me to make tops and try to skip the sanding step, and he ended up with a tiny cut on his finger. So that’s the big rule: always sand the edges until they’re totally smooth. You can use a fine-grit sandpaper, or even a rotary tool with a sanding attachment, which makes it super fast. Also, don’t use lids that are dented or rusted—rust can flake off, and dented edges are way more likely to have sharp spots. And if you’re making toys for kids under 3, make sure any holes you drill aren’t big enough for a small child to stick their finger through, and that you don’t glue any tiny parts (wait, duh, that’s a choking hazard regardless). Follow those simple rules, and you’re golden.
As a supplier, I’ve worked with a lot of different people, and I can tell you that the demand for metal lids for crafts and toys is growing. A lot of small toy companies are starting to use metal lids because they’re more sustainable, more durable, and cheaper than many other materials. I even had a big toy distributor reach out last quarter asking for custom-sized lids for a line of eco-friendly toys they’re launching—said metal is the future of toy materials, not just because it’s tough, but because it’s recyclable over and over again. That’s the kind of stuff that gets me excited about my job.
So, if you’re thinking about making a toy with metal can lids, go for it. Just do your prep work first, use food-grade lids, and follow those safety tips. And if you’re not sure where to get consistent, safe lids that are easy to work with—hit me up. I supply lids in bulk for crafters, schools, toy makers, and anyone else who needs ’em. We make sure every lid is free of dents, rust, and sharp edges before it leaves our warehouse, so all you have to do is sand the edge for a few minutes, and you’re good to go. Whether you’re making spin tops, sensory boards, wind chimes, or whatever else you can think of, I’ve got you covered.
At the end of the day, toys don’t have to be fancy, expensive, or store-bought. Some of the best toys are made from stuff you’d normally throw away, and metal can lids are the perfect example. They’re tough, safe when prepped right, and give you endless creative options. So grab some lids, a few simple tools, and let your imagination run wild. And if you need a steady supply of quality lids for your next big project, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Metal Food Packaging References:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Sustainable Materials Management: Reducing Metal Waste in Households.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Safety Guidelines for Non-Traditional Toys for Young Children.
- Toy Industry Association. (2023). Eco-Friendly Material Trends in Children’s Products.
- Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Food-Grade Metal Packaging Safety Standards.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2022). Sensory Play Materials for Fine Motor Skill Development in Early Childhood.
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