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Craft Tutorials | Adult Crafts | Garden Crafts | Recycled Plastic Lid Windchime
Garden Crafts

Recycled Plastic Lid Windchime

Author by Amanda Davis on June 27, 2014 Updated on July 10, 2019

5 from 11 votes
Making a wind chime out of recycled materials is a fun project for kids and adults. Using colorful plastic lids that can't go in the recycle bin is a great way to keep them out of the landfill. 
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Make a wind chime from recycled plastic lids! Full step by step tutorial with printable instructions from Crafts by Amanda!
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recycled plastic lid wind chime pin image

Making a wind chime out of recycled materials is a fun project for kids and adults. Using colorful plastic lids that can’t go in the recycle bin is a great way to keep them out of the landfill. 

After making this recycled lid wind chime, start collecting your buttons and make my rainbow button wind chime too!

wind chime made out of recycled plastic lids

 

Recycled Plastic Lid Wind Chime

I have been saving plastic lids for a while now. It’s amazing how fast they accumulate when you start collecting them. I’ve saved a few here and there and made a few plastic lid crafts, but this was different.

These are things that we would normally throw away or toss into the recycle bin (although I’ve heard that many of these lids can’t be recycled). Once I started saving them, I was shocked at just how quickly they added up!

Recycled Plastic Lid Windchimes

I recently posted on Instagram about this wind chime as it’s still hanging above my herb garden. I love it!

 

The wind chime I made last summer from plastic lids and beads still hangs above my herb garden. Link in profile. ?♻️? #craftsbyamanda

A photo posted by Amanda Formaro (@amandaformaro) on Jul 27, 2015 at 11:10am PDT

 

Supplies you need to make this recycled wind chime

I’ve included the different types of plastic lids I used:

  • Measuring cups from liquid cough & cold medicines
  • Milk jug lids
  • Syrup bottle lids
  • Water bottle lids
  • Soda bottle lids
  • Top from a can of whipped cream
  • The top of the wind chime is from a Coffee Mate powdered creamer container

I also used:

  • Pony Beads
  • Jingle bells
  • String
  • Needle
  • Flat nose pliers, a thimble, hammer and a nail

Recycled wind chime made from plastic lids

Ready to get started?

Use the hammer and nail to make four holes (like a plus sign) in the large lid. Set the lid aside.

  1. Use the hammer and nail to make four holes (like a plus sign) in the large lid. Set the lid aside.

Thread needle with a piece of string. The amount of string you use is up to you, it just depends on how long you want your chimes to be!

  1. Thread needle with a piece of string. The amount of string you use is up to you, it just depends on how long you want your chimes to be!

Thread the needle through one bead. Tie a few knots around that bead at the end of the string.

  1. Thread the needle through one bead. Tie a few knots around that bead at the end of the string.

Poke the needle through center of the inside of a deep plastic lid, like a cough medicine cup.

  1. Poke the needle through center of the inside of a deep plastic lid, like a cough medicine cup.

Pull the needle through, pushing the plastic lid all the way to the end, touching the bead.If you have trouble pulling the needle through, use flat nose pliers. Don't grab the needle at the eye, it's weaker there and the pliers will break it.

  1. Pull the needle through, pushing the plastic lid all the way to the end, touching the bead. If you have trouble pulling the needle through, use flat nose pliers. Don’t grab the needle at the eye, it’s weaker there and the pliers will break it.

As you can see, it hangs like a bell :)

As you can see, it hangs like a bell :)

Add several beads to the string and push them to the end.

  1. Add several beads to the string and push them to the end.

Add another plastic lid, pushing it to the end. Continue with the above steps until you have reached the length you like.

  1. Add another plastic lid, pushing it to the end.
  2. Continue with the above steps until you have reached the length you like.

Poke the needle through one of the holes you made in the large lid in step 1.

  1. Poke the needle through one of the holes you made in the large lid in step 1.

Tie a knot a few times and trim off the excess string.Repeat these steps three more times for the remaining chime strings. To make the hanger, use a hammer and nail to poke two more holes in the large lid, across from each other.

  1. Tie a knot a few times and trim off the excess string. Repeat these steps three more times for the remaining chime strings.
  2. To make the hanger, use a hammer and nail to poke two more holes in the large lid, across from each other.

Thread a needle with string and tie a bead to the end. Poke it through one of the new holes in the large lid and pull it through the top. The bead will stop it from coming out the other side.

  1. Thread a needle with string and tie a bead to the end. Poke it through one of the new holes in the large lid and pull it through the top. The bead will stop it from coming out the other side.

Poke the needle back down through the second hole and pull it snug. Pull the string out as long as you want the hanger to be.

  1. Poke the needle back down through the second hole and pull it snug. Pull the string out as long as you want the hanger to be.

To keep the hanger at that length, turn the lid over and tie a bead to that string to keep it in place. Trim any excess string.

  1. To keep the hanger at that length, turn the lid over and tie a bead to that string to keep it in place. Trim any excess string.

wind chime made from plastic lids

Totally fun! Hope you liked it. Mine is hanging outside, and the lids will fade from exposure to the sun. It’s still a really fun way to recycle!

More fun recycled lid crafts:

Jar Lid Glitter Bugs
Jar Lid Glitter Bugs
Plastic Lid Monsters
Plastic Lid Monsters
Plastic Lid Ladybugs
Plastic Lid Ladybugs

 

Make a wind chime from recycled plastic lids! Full step by step tutorial with printable instructions from Crafts by Amanda!
Print Project
5 from 11 votes

Recycled Plastic Lid Windchime

Making a wind chime out of recycled materials is a fun project for kids and adults. Using colorful plastic lids that can't go in the recycle bin is a great way to keep them out of the landfill. 
Crafting Time2 hours hrs
Total Time2 hours hrs
Makes: 1 wind chime

Supplies

  • 1 large sturdy lid
  • Lots of plastic lids water bottles, milk jugs, soda bottles, etc
  • A few cup type lids from medicine bottles, lids from hair mousse, whipped cream, etc
  • Colorful pony beads
  • Jingle bells
  • String
  • Tools: thimble flat nose pliers, hammer, nail, needle

Instructions

  • Use the hammer and nail to make four holes (like a plus sign) in the large lid. Set the lid aside.
  • Thread needle with a piece of string. The amount of string you use is up to you, it just depends on how long you want your chimes to be!
  • Thread the needle through one bead. Tie a few knots around that bead at the end of the string.
  • Poke the needle through center of the inside of a plastic lid.* Pull the needle through, pushing the plastic lid all the way to the end, touching the bead.
  • Add several beads and an occasional jingle bell to the string and push them to the end.
  • Add another plastic lid, pushing it to the end.
  • Continue with steps 5 and 6 until you have reached the length you like.
  • Poke the needle through one of the holes you made in the large lid in step 1.
  • Tie a knot a few times and trim off the excess string.
  • Repeat steps 2-9 three more times.
  • To make the hanger, use a hammer and nail to poke two more holes in the large lid, across from each other.
  • Thread a needle with string and tie a bead to the end. Poke it through one of the new holes in the large lid and pull it through the top. The bead will stop it from coming out the other side.
  • Poke the needle back down through the second hole and pull it snug. Pull the string out as long as you want the hanger to be.
  • To keep the hanger at that length, turn the lid over and tie a bead to that string to keep it in place. Trim any excess string.

Expert Tips & FAQs

If you have trouble pulling the needle through the lid, especially the “eye” part of the needle because it is thicker, use a pair of flat nose pliers to help pull it through. A thimble can be helpful in pushing a stubborn needle through as well!
You may be able to thread the string through everything without the needle all together, depending on the size of the hole you make in the lids.
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Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.
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Filed Under: Crafts for Seniors, Earth Day Crafts, Easy Crafts for Kids, Garden Crafts, Recycled Crafts for Adults, Recycled Crafts for Kids, Summer Crafts Tagged With: bottle caps, garden, holidays, kid's crafts, plastic lids, recycle, recycle crafts, recycled, recycled crafts, wind chime, windchime

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Comments

  1. Shay says

    March 7, 2020 at 10:21 am

    I loved this project. I think dental floss may last longer than thread. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  2. Joy says

    February 28, 2020 at 4:49 pm

    We did this project last summer with a group of Kindergarten through 4th graders. They turned out very cute and it was a project they all seemed to be able to handle. I had all of the holes pre-punched. I used a pointed end wood burner to make the holes and was done in no time. I have lids and caps leftover so I am planning on adapting your Beaded Garden stakes and use my leftovers. Thanks for the great ideas. Former FC friend

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      March 2, 2020 at 9:11 am

      So glad you guys had fun with it Joy! Nice to “see” you!

      Reply
  3. Mrs Bobbie Gallienne says

    October 19, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    fun projects for any age, great way to re-cycle.

    Reply
  4. Jill Friedman says

    July 4, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    Where do the bells come in? Where and how are they attached?

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      July 10, 2019 at 7:22 am

      Hi Jill. They jut get added with the beads randomly, wherever you want to put them

      Reply
  5. colasa castillo merejo says

    February 21, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    muy lindo

    Reply
  6. Julie says

    October 4, 2014 at 11:05 am

    Really lovely idea!

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      October 6, 2014 at 7:35 am

      Thanks Julie!

      Reply
  7. rosiel says

    September 10, 2014 at 6:26 am

    Nice recycle

    Reply
  8. Sally says

    July 26, 2014 at 10:35 am

    I collect windchimes and this is absolutely amazing. What a wonderful way to teach about recycling and beauty. I love it!!!!

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      July 29, 2014 at 7:08 am

      Thank you so much Sally!

      Reply
  9. Rita says

    July 6, 2014 at 8:46 am

    Muy Bonito..me gusta por que en mi escuela ..soy docente..trabajamos en un proyecto de recilage..

    Reply
  10. Joyce Fowler says

    June 27, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    Thank you so much for this idea to use lids that have been saved! Knew there was something that could be done with them.

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      July 2, 2014 at 7:35 pm

      Thanks Joyce, hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  11. Rosali says

    June 27, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    Super bonitos! Great!

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      July 2, 2014 at 7:35 pm

      Thank you Rosali!

      Reply
  12. Julia says

    March 23, 2015 at 6:56 am

    how do you make the holes in the pastic lids. A needle won’t poke through, the plastic lids are to hard

    Reply
  13. Amanda Formaro says

    April 2, 2015 at 7:36 am

    For the harder lids I used a small nail and a hammer :)

    Reply
5 from 11 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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