Everyone has extra keys lying around that are of no use anymore. Don’t add them to our growing landfills, turn them into festive snowman ornaments to keep or give as gifts!
My daughter’s boyfriend works at a hardware store that has one of those key cutting machines. One day he brought me a 2-liter bottle full of discarded keys and asked if I wanted them for crafts. Smart lad.
With the holidays here, I thought this was a good time to turn some of those discards into something cute and useful.
There are full printable instructions below, but here the basic rundown.
Note: some links below are affiliate links. That means if you happen to buy something, a small percentage of that sale goes back into this site, which enables me to continue to bring you free tutorials such as this one. So, thanks!
As always, a full printable supply list and instructions are at the end of this post.
For this project you will need the following supplies:
Recycled keys
- White spray paint
- Floral wire
- Beads
- Poms poms
- Pipe cleaners
- Fabric
- Yarn
- Hot glue gun
- Wire snips
- Scissors
Paint:
- Pink
- Black
- Orange glitter paint (I used DecoArt Glamour Dust
)
Make hangers from floral wire, you can add beads too if you like. Attach the hangers to the keys. I had already spray painted mine white.
Embellish time! Pom-poms and pipe cleaners make great earmuffs, and fabric scraps and yarn are perfect for scarves. Some pink paint for cheeks and black for facial features and bam. You have snowman keys. Woot!
Looking for more Christmas ornaments for young kids? Happy Hooligans has 15 easy ornament ideas for preschoolers here!
Recycled Key Snowman Ornaments
Supplies
- Recycled keys
- White spray paint
- Floral wire
- Beads
- Poms poms
- Pipe cleaners
- Fabric
- Yarn
- Hot glue gun
- Wire snips
- Scissors
Paint:
- Pink
- Black
- Orange glitter paint I used DecoArt Glamour Dust
Instructions
- Spray paint keys white on both sides, two coats should be sufficient.
- Create hangers using floral wire. Bend the wire in half to create a loops and twist to secure. You can leave your wire plain or add beads before twisting to secure through the hole in the top of the key.
- Add earmuffs by hot gluing pieces of pipe cleaner across the top of the key, covering up the wire. Add a pom pom to each side.
- Create scarves using fabric, yarn, pipe cleaners or even old t-shirts. Use hot glue to secure.
- Dab pink paint onto a scruffy paintbrush and dab off the excess onto a rag. Lightly tap onto the key to add rosy cheeks.
- Use a toothpick dipped in black paint to add eyes and mouths, then use a toothpick dipped in orange glitter paint to add noses.
Amanda Formaro
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Barbara says
November 7, 2017 at 5:57 pmAmanda,
I love snowmen and make them from anything I can possibly repurpose. These keys are really cute and white ornaments show up so well on a green tree. Presently, I’m making snowmen, angels, and a nativity scene out of clay pots. Love crafting! Send more ideas!
Jennifer says
December 13, 2015 at 11:40 amWhat an adorable idea! I have plenty of old keys just laying around – going to do this project with my class!
Mary says
December 6, 2014 at 8:01 pmDo u have to use spray paint… Can u just paint it white?
Amanda Formaro says
December 13, 2014 at 7:48 amYes certainly.
nancy carlson says
November 15, 2014 at 10:43 pmFound these adorable guys on The WHOot a few days ago. My friend’s daugher thought they were wonderful! I do, too. So I put them in my blog. http://itsomuchfunwatchingod.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-cutest-use-for-old-keys.html
Thanks for such a great way to use up things most of us have stashed in a box or drawer. Even better is to collect them at the home centers! I’m good buddies with most of the people at Lowe’s in Franklin NH, so getting them should be an easy thing!
Amanda Formaro says
November 16, 2014 at 11:27 amThanks for the feature Nancy, so glad you like them and hope you get a chance to make some!
nancy carlson says
November 26, 2014 at 12:49 pmdone. My photography is lacking, but cuteness makes up for it!
http://itsomuchfunwatchingod.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-cutest-use-for-old-keys.html
Jane says
November 18, 2013 at 6:28 pmAmanda, these are soooo cute. Does the spray paint ‘stick’ easily to the keys? I tried just painting them but the paint scratches off.
Amanda Formaro says
November 19, 2013 at 6:02 amHi jane, yes it does, I haven’t had a problem with them! :)
Lynda says
October 13, 2013 at 3:55 pmThese are really cute: I bet some people would like to use them as pendants.
Amanda Formaro says
October 14, 2013 at 8:50 amOr brooches! :)
doro K. says
January 4, 2013 at 2:11 ama really cool idea!!
I linked to your tutorial on my blog – thanks for sharing!
doro K.
Linda says
December 29, 2012 at 6:32 pmI go into baby talk mode when I see these. I wuv ‘dem!
pam says
December 28, 2012 at 1:56 amTooooo cute! I am an Activity Director at a nursing home – I’m going to do these with string “hangers” instead of wire so my ladies can wear them as necklaces – they love any jewelry project.
Kristin says
December 18, 2012 at 11:33 amWhere can you find receycled keys??
Amanda says
December 18, 2012 at 12:03 pmHi Kristin! Check your local hardware store (if they have a key cutting machine) or Home Depot. I got mine from the hardware store, another reader told me she got hers from Home Depot. :)
Megan says
December 13, 2012 at 9:16 amok I appreciate your help :-) I’m making these for our Yankee swap . Every year we all makea gift & do a Yankee swap. that way the gifts are more sentimental than a gift card. I am excited to see if whoever gets mine likes it :-) thank you!
Amanda says
December 13, 2012 at 8:54 amHi Megan. There’s something called instant grab glue, Beacons makes it, you can see it here http://www.beaconadhesives.com/cgthree.html and you can get it at any craft store :)
Megan says
December 13, 2012 at 8:26 amwhat other glue will work besides the hot glue gun? I don’thhave a hot glue gun
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife says
December 12, 2012 at 3:47 pmHow sweet are these snowman keys!! I can’t get over the cuteness!!!
Megan says
December 10, 2012 at 10:31 amthank you for these great instructions and cute idea. I’m in the process of making these rright now :-)
Deborah Jennings says
December 5, 2012 at 3:25 pmThese would be cute for “Santa’s Key”. (For those who don’t have a chimney.)
Henri says
December 4, 2012 at 7:14 pmThese are just to cute and will make them with the grand children. Great Idea. Thank you.
Bob'sGal says
December 4, 2012 at 6:17 pmThese are just toooooooo cute….