5 things you can make with an Altoid container

Using just a few supplies, an Altoids tin can store the materials needed to play dozens of games on the go.

You’ll need:

Dice
Mini deck of cards
Small pencil
Colorful chips
Paper
Marker

How to make it:

This project is straightforward: pack all of the materials into the tin, and there you have it. But if you want to get a little more creative, design a chessboard the size of the tin and glue it to the bottom of the tin. Use small magnets as game pieces. This can be used for chess or checkers. Similar boards can be made for games like Chinese checkers or backgammon.

Candles are a must-have in an emergency situation or to have on hand while camping or traveling. A tin candle functions as a light and a candle holder, and can also store matchbooks or a lighter. They also make for a cool decoration around the house.

You’ll need:

Two tea candles
Matchbook
Hot glue gun
An empty, washed soup can
ScissorsTape

How to make it:

Pull the wicks from the candles. The wicks should be attached to a small metal circle.

Glue the metal part to the bottom of the tin so that the wicks stick straight out. They will be longer than the tin but can be cut down later.

Place the two wickless candles into the tin to be melted down.

Boil water. Once it’s boiled, turn down the heat. Place the tin can with wax into the hot water. The heat will melt the wax inside the tin. Keep the tin upright so that water does not mix with the wax.

Once the wax melts, pour it into the Altoids tin. Make sure the wicks poke through the wax. The tin will be hot so let the wax dry first before picking it up.

Trim the wicks to the appropriate height. They should be long enough to hold a flame but short enough for the lid to close over them.

Cut the strikers from the matchbook and secure them with hot glue to the inside of the lid. This will function as a strike pad for matches.

Tape the other half of the matchbook to the lid. Once the matches have been used, a new book can be taped in.

While phone chargers are already compact, having one that can charge your phone while it’s in your pocket or purse can be convenient on the go. This one takes a bit of elementary circuitry knowledge that requires soldering a few wires, and is a task best done with older kids or teens. This project only works with Android phones, but a quick Google search will show how to adapt it for iPhones.

You’ll need:

Four AA battery pack

Four AA batteries5 mm LED (any color)

1Kø Resistor

Toggle switch
Soldering iron and solder
Drill
USB drive (can be taken from a recycled object)
Thin black wire and thin red wire, each on a spool

Hot glue and glue gun

Multimeter

Optional: a bread board or prototyping board to test the circuit before soldering.

Before starting: Keep this diagram of a USB port open for reference. http://pinouts.ru/Slots/USB_pinout.shtml.

How to make it:

Drill three holes—one on the end of the case where the light will go, one for the toggle switch, and one for the USB drive. You may need to use metal cutters (“tin snips”) to make a rectangular shape for the USB drive to fit in.

Place the light, USB drive and the switch through the holes. Secure first with electrical tape, then with hot glue around the base of the light to hold it in place. The switch and drive should fit snugly in the hole.

Solder a black wire from the battery pack to one end of the switch.

Solder two black wires from the other end of the switch to the number one pin of the USB, and to the short LED prong.

Solder two red wires from the positive side of the battery pack to the number four pin of the USB port and to one end of a resistor.

Solder the other end of the resistor to the long LED prong.

Apply a liberal coat of hot glue on all soldered wires to keep it all in place.

Add batteries, close the lid of the tin, turn it on and plug your phone in using a USB cable. The LED light should turn on as an indicator that the phone is charging.

This project is essentially the same as the phone charger. This is a good light to keep in the car or with the first aid kit in case of emergencies.

You’ll need:

Four AA battery pack

Four AA batteries5 mm LED (any color)

1Kø Resistor

Toggle switch
Soldering iron and solder
Drill
Thin black wire and thin red wire

Hot glue and glue gun

Multimeter

Optional: a bread board or prototyping board to test the circuit before soldering.

How to make it:

Follow the same steps of the phone charger, but skip the step about the USB drive. You can also add an additional LED to make it brighter.

This is a great kit for your kids to keep in their backpacks or fasten to the bottom of their bicycles, or for adults to store in their desks at work. Kits like these are often made in Girl and Boy Scouts and are useful for camping trips or hikes. Materials needed for this project can be adapted to fit your needs.

You’ll need:

Band aids
Q-tips
Moist towlettes
Travel pack of asprin
Sandwich bag
Red tape
To make it into a survival kit, additional materials can be added, such as a small compass, fishing tackle, safety pins or rope.

How to make it:

Line the bottom and sides inside the case with tape to insulate the case.

Pack in all of the supplies. Start with the band aids and pile everything else on top.

Put a cross out of tape on the top to identify the tin as a first aid kit, or put a label with all of the container’s items.