![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/cover-2.jpg)
Teach your kids how to grow and care for their own plants with these super fun recycled tuna can planters! They’ll have a blast creating the crazy animals and bugs, complete with legs, wings, and ears.
![DIY Animal Can Planter](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/intro1-21.jpg)
I always use mini planters to propagate some of my favorite plants. This activity can turn into a lovely way to decorate your home—stem cuttings can look really cool while rooting.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/intro2-21.jpg)
These cute mini planters are also perfect for succulents!
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/materials-21.jpg)
What You Need
- Tuna can
- Fabric
- Malleable wire
- Pliers
- Awl
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Hot glue gun
- Pins
- Needle & thread
- Beads, pom-poms, etc.
- Paint
Prepping The Can
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/step1-2.jpg)
Step 1
Smooth the cut edge of the tuna can using pliers.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/step2-2.jpg)
Step 2
Make several holes in the bottom of the tuna can with an awl.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/step3_11-2.jpg)
How To Make The Wings Part 1
Note that I didn’t cut any piece of wire; I just used the whole piece and cut the wire when the wings were finished.
Step 1
Gently fold the wire, creating a loop at one end.
Step 2
Coil and tuck the excess wire.
Step 3
Use the tuna can to get the measurements for where to bend the part of the wire that sits in the can.
Step 4 & 5
Bend the wire at the end of the wing to make sharp angles as shown in the photos above.
Step 6-8
Once you have the wire bent on the four angles, create a new loop for the other wing. Coil and tuck the wire.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/step3_2-2.jpg)
The wing structure has to fit inside of your tuna can.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/step4-2.jpg)
How To Make The Wings Part 2
Step 1
Place one of the wings onto the wrong side of the fabric and trace the shape. Cut the shape out, leaving a seam allowance.
Step 2
Take the piece of fabric and wrap it around the loop wire; pin the folded edges. Then stitch all around the loop wire. Cut the excess edges.
Step 3
Repeat the process to make the other wing. You can decorate your wings by stitching some lines using running stitches.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/step5-2.jpg)
How To Make The Legs
Make legs from Popsicle sticks ends. Cut 6 pieces of 0.8 inch ( 2.3 cm) length. Distribute 3 of them on one side of the bottom of the tuna can and glue. Repeat with the other 3 pieces on the opposite side.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/step6-2.jpg)
The Finishing Touches
Now place the wings structure into the tuna can, center, and glue to fix it in place.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/step7_1-2.jpg)
Decorate your little animal or bug using beads and pom-poms for the face and paint the feet.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/step7_2-2.jpg)
I love the golden brass of the tuna can combined with wood, so I left it visible. But you could paint the tuna can or wrap it using cute paper or fabric … or glue pom-poms all over the body to make some crazy fellows! Just have fun decorating it.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/final1-2.jpg)
Fill with soil and plant some seeds to introduce your kids to gardening, or just plant tiny succulents to instantly add some green to your place.
![DIY Animal Can Planters](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/final2-2.jpg)
Enjoy!