Recycling Crafts- Make a Bat Using an Aluminum Can
Gathering The Supplies
Before you start any project it is easiest to gather together all of the supplies. For this project you will need:
Crushing Your Can
Start out by removing the tab on the top of the can. Then squeeze the pop can so the top bends down one direction and the bottoms bends up the opposite direction. Lay the can on a flat surface and step on it to flatten. Have a few extra cans on hand because the crushed can doesn't always look the way you want it to look! Once your can is crushed, watch out for sharp edges. If you are concerned about any sharp edges, cover them with a small piece of masking tape.
Start out by painting the entire can black. It may take several coats of paint to completely cover the can... It all depends on the quality of your paint.
Finish the Bat's Face
I painted eyes on my bat using white and black paint. I also painted teeth into the mouth. If you prefer, you can glue wiggle eyes onto your bat. If you do use wiggle eyes, glue them on after the next step.
To make the bat's mouth, paint inside the hole on the can red. Let the paint dry.
Sealing the Painting
Once all the painting is done and dry, I would suggest you use clear acrylic spray to seal your bat. Use several thin coats and allow them to dry completely.
Cut the Bat's Wings
To make the wings, cut a half circle out of a piece of craft foam. It should be a little shorter than the height of your bat's body, and 3 to 4 times as wide. Scallop the bottom edge as shown in the photo. Cutting is sometimes easier and more even if you fold your piece of craft foam in half and then cut.
Cut the Wings in Two
For this step, simply cut the wings in half as shown in the photo.
Finishing Your Bat
To finish your bat, simply glue the wings to the back of the bat's body as shown. Let the glue dry completely! Your aluminum can bat is now done! What will you do with it? Will you hang it in a window or give it away as a gift?
Gathering The Supplies
Before you start any project it is easiest to gather together all of the supplies. For this project you will need:
Crushing Your Can
Start out by removing the tab on the top of the can. Then squeeze the pop can so the top bends down one direction and the bottoms bends up the opposite direction. Lay the can on a flat surface and step on it to flatten. Have a few extra cans on hand because the crushed can doesn't always look the way you want it to look! Once your can is crushed, watch out for sharp edges. If you are concerned about any sharp edges, cover them with a small piece of masking tape.
Start out by painting the entire can black. It may take several coats of paint to completely cover the can... It all depends on the quality of your paint.
Finish the Bat's Face
I painted eyes on my bat using white and black paint. I also painted teeth into the mouth. If you prefer, you can glue wiggle eyes onto your bat. If you do use wiggle eyes, glue them on after the next step.
To make the bat's mouth, paint inside the hole on the can red. Let the paint dry.
Sealing the Painting
Once all the painting is done and dry, I would suggest you use clear acrylic spray to seal your bat. Use several thin coats and allow them to dry completely.
Cut the Bat's Wings
To make the wings, cut a half circle out of a piece of craft foam. It should be a little shorter than the height of your bat's body, and 3 to 4 times as wide. Scallop the bottom edge as shown in the photo. Cutting is sometimes easier and more even if you fold your piece of craft foam in half and then cut.
Cut the Wings in Two
For this step, simply cut the wings in half as shown in the photo.
Finishing Your Bat
To finish your bat, simply glue the wings to the back of the bat's body as shown. Let the glue dry completely! Your aluminum can bat is now done! What will you do with it? Will you hang it in a window or give it away as a gift?
