Mini Lid Banjos

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Jar lids are something I’ve been collecting for a while, feeling sure that they would come in handy for some future repurposing craft idea (I may have been called a hoarder once or twice). Now I’ve finally used them for something – hooray! The kids love these mini banjos so much that they don’t even mind that I raided their loom band collection for the strings. You can make your own Mini Lid Banjo in less than ten minutes (and that’s a conservative estimate), see how in the tutorial movie or scroll down for more detailed pictures and step by step instructions.

You will need:

• Jumbo craft sticks – one per banjo
• Loom Bands – four per banjo
• Washi tape
• Duct tape
• Sequins
• Craft glue

How to:

Place four loom bands over the lid and secure in place with a pice of duct tape as shown (I did try hot glue gun for a more seamless finish but guess what? the loom bands melted and snapped as soon as they touched the hot glue – whoops!)

Next cut the end from your jumbo craft stick and decorate it with a washi tape pattern.

Now attach the lid with loom bands in place to the craft stick with a second piece of duct tape.

Finally use small dabs of craft glue to stick on your sequins, or alternatively use plastic gems or a marker to draw the little tuning knobs on the end of your banjo handle.

That’s all! The sound is less amazing than I’d hoped for but they do look cute and that’s the most important thing don’t you think?

For tons of fun ways to repurpose all sorts of things visit my Recycle and Repurpose board on Pinterest.

More recycling craft ideas that kids can use in play:

• Make some fun toilet roll shakers
• Make some shakers from milk bottle lids and duct tape
• Make a board game from a cereal box
• Make some milk bottle lid spinning tops
• Make some fun discovery bottles from oil and water
• Make a kite from a plastic bag