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27 Creative Crafts to Make with Empty Pill Bottles

Looking for ways to reuse those empty pill bottles cluttering your cabinets? Turn them into unique and functional craft projects!

From organizing beads to creating mini succulents, these ideas are perfect for the eco-conscious crafter.

Here’s a full list of fun and easy crafts, plus a step-by-step guide to creating your own Mini Succulent Planters!

a collage of two images about an old pill bottle and a painted pill bottle in pastel shades with tiny succulents planted inside, displayed on a windowsill.

1. Mini Emergency Kit

Keep small essentials like band-aids, safety pins, and aspirin on hand in a portable container.

A clear pill bottle with a snap-on lid, filled with band-aids in a medicine cabinet.

2. Travel Sewing Kit

Store needles, thread, and tiny scissors for sewing emergencies.

A small pill bottle holding thread spools, needles, and a tiny pair of scissors, sitting on a travel sewing mat.

3. Bead Organizer

Sort and secure small beads or embellishments for easy crafting.

Multiple clear pill bottles filled with colorful beads, arranged neatly on a crafting table.

4. Matchstick Holder

Add a striker to the cap for a handy camping tool.

A pill bottle with a striker glued to the cap, filled with matches and placed next to camping gear.

5. Glitter Shaker

Poke holes in the lid to make a DIY glitter dispenser.

A decorated pill bottle with small holes poked in the lid, dispensing glitter onto a craft project.

6. Cord Organizer

Wrap earbuds or small cords to keep them tangle-free.

A white pill bottle neatly holding wrapped earbuds, placed on a desk beside a laptop.

7. Mini Succulent Planters (Step-by-Step Instructions Below!)

Turn your empty pill bottles into chic planters for tiny succulents or air plants.

Painted pill bottles in pastel shades with tiny succulents planted inside, displayed on a windowsill.

8. Travel Spice Holder

Pack small amounts of spices for cooking on the go.

Several labeled pill bottles with spices like salt, pepper, and chili powder, arranged on a picnic blanket.

9. DIY Lip Balm Containers

Make and store your own lip balm in these compact bottles.

A close-up of a pill bottle with homemade lip balm, placed next to a mixing bowl and essential oils.

10. Waterproof Money Holder

Perfect for carrying cash to the beach or pool.

A pill bottle floating in water with a rolled-up bill secured inside, surrounded by beach towels.

11. Mini First Aid Kit

Fill with antiseptic wipes, cotton swabs, and pain relievers.

A clear pill bottle containing antiseptic wipes, cotton swabs, and small pain reliever packets, sitting on a car dashboard.

12. Key Hider

Disguise a spare key by gluing a rock to the cap.

A pill bottle with a rock glued to the cap, hidden among garden pebbles.

13. Paint Organizer

Store leftover craft paint or custom mixes in pill bottles.

A series of pill bottles labeled with colors, each containing a small amount of craft paint.

14. Jewelry Holder

Keep small earrings or rings safe during travel.

A small pill bottle holding earrings and rings, placed next to a jewelry travel case.

15. Miniature Craft Storage

Store buttons, pins, or charms in separate bottles.

Pill bottles filled with buttons and charms, arranged on a crafting shelf.

16. DIY Puzzle Game

Create a fun game by filling a bottle with small beads or puzzle pieces.

A pill bottle with tiny beads and puzzle pieces spilling out onto a table, next to a child’s hand.

17. Sensory Bottles

Fill with glitter and beads for a calming sensory tool.

A decorated pill bottle filled with glitter, water, and colorful beads, resting on a play mat.

18. Hair Tie Holder

Organize hair ties and bobby pins in your gym bag.

A pill bottle filled with colorful hair ties and bobby pins, placed next to a gym bag.

19. DIY Snow Globes

Craft tiny snow globes with water, glitter, and a small figurine.

A pill bottle turned snow globe with water, glitter, and a miniature snowman, glowing under holiday lights.

20. Crayon Holder

Keep broken crayons or travel-sized sets organized.

A pill bottle filled with broken crayon pieces, sitting next to a child’s coloring book.

21. Mini Flashlight

Attach a small LED light to create a pocket flashlight.

A pill bottle with a small LED light attached to the lid, glowing on a bedside table.

22. Pill Bottle Vase

Decorate and fill with flowers for a miniature arrangement.

A pill bottle painted in metallic gold, holding a few small flowers on a dining table.

23. DIY Geocache

Use as a discreet container for geocaching adventures.

A camouflaged pill bottle with a logbook and pen inside, hidden under a tree branch.

24. Coin Holder

Keep loose change organized in your purse or car.

A pill bottle filled with coins, placed in a car cupholder next to a parking meter.

25. Pill Bottle Rocket

Explore STEM with a mini rocket project.

A pill bottle decorated like a rocket with fins and a nozzle, flying through the air during a STEM activity.

26. Candle Mold

Pour melted wax into an empty medicine bottle to create custom candles.

A pill bottle being used as a mold for a small homemade candle, with wax being poured inside.

27. Mini Treasure Chest

Decorate and fill with trinkets for kids’ treasure hunts.

A pill bottle painted and decorated to resemble a treasure chest, filled with tiny trinkets and pirate-themed charms.

Step-by-Step Guide: Mini Succulent Planters

Bring some green into your space with this adorable and sustainable project.

Painted pill bottles in pastel shades with tiny succulents planted inside, displayed on a windowsill.

Supplies Needed:

  • Empty pill bottle (cleaned and dried)
  • Acrylic paint or spray paint
  • Paintbrush or sponge
  • Hot glue gun
  • Decorative stones or moss
  • Tiny succulent or air plant
  • Optional: Stickers or decals for decoration

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Bottle:
    Remove the label and clean the bottle thoroughly. Sand lightly if necessary to help the paint stick.
  2. Paint the Exterior:
    Use acrylic or spray paint to cover the outside of the bottle. Apply multiple coats for a smooth finish and let dry completely.
  3. Add Decorations:
    Use stickers, decals, or stencils to personalize your planter.
  4. Fill the Bottle:
    Add a small amount of decorative stones or moss to the bottom for drainage.
  5. Plant Your Succulent:
    Place the succulent or air plant inside. Arrange it securely, ensuring it has enough space to grow.
  6. Optional Finishing Touches:
    Glue additional decorations like ribbon or gems to the outside.