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 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 hrs
Total Time2 hrs
Servings: 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 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.

Notes

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.