My friend has a condition that requires her to take quite a lot of medicine; when I was at her house the other day I discovered a rather shocking stash of empty pill bottles.
I was glad that she hadn’t simply tossed them, contributing to the plastic problem we have, but my-oh-my was there a lot of them!
She knew that there was some way that she could upcycle or repurpose all her bottles but never really got far enough to do anything with them.
So I decided to make it my mission to find some helpful new uses for her stash, and I’d just love to share my findings with the rest of you.
What to do with empty pill bottles
Jump to:
- What to do with empty pill bottles
- Hide-a-Key
- Candle Holder
- Makeup Organizer
- Love Prescription
- Jewelry Holder
- Piping Tip Organizer
- Fire Starter
- Travel-Sized Shampoo
- Cotton Swab Container
- Rainbow Crayons
- Portable Sewing Kit
- Bobby Pin Storage
- Survival Kit
- “Bamboo” Vase
- Center-Pull Yarn Ball
- Snowman
- Vitamin Packs
- Light Garland
- Nail Polish Removal
- Coin Holder
- Child-Proof Container
- Tooth Holder
- Handbag Trash Can
- Earphone Container
- Jewelry
- Seed Storage
- Grow Magnet
- Interesting Lamp
- Single Flower Vase
- Cat Toy
Hide-a-Key
Hiding a key in your mailbox or under the welcome mat is way too obvious – those are the first places potential robbers would look. If you really are worried about accidentally locking yourself out (guilty!), hide a spare one in a pill bottle with a rock glued to the top of the lid. No one will be the wiser. Just make sure you remember which rock to look for!
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ZakkaLife
Candle Holder
You can make a fantastic candle holder by painting and gluing together a few bottles of different heights and shapes. It makes a fabulous centerpiece with tealight candles; no one would ever guess what you made it from!
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Allthatscrap
Makeup Organizer
You’ll find the size of prescription pill bottles make them perfect for your beauty products and tools, like your brushes, eyeliners and mascara. Keep your dresser nice and tidy with this little trick.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – LauraThoughts
Love Prescription
This is a cute and cheesy idea for Valentine’s Day or whenever you just want to cheer up your other half or a close friend. Fill the bottle with their favorite candy and write a funny little prescription for them.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CookBake&Decorate
Jewelry Holder
If you’re going traveling or even just staying over at a friend’s place, keep you small rings and earrings safe in one of these containers. I like to be prepared, so I always end up lugging too much jewelry around; maybe this will help!
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheBeautyBlog
Piping Tip Organizer
Here’s on for all you bakers. Since piping tips aren’t all that cheap, you need to keep them both safe and organized. I absolutely love this idea since you can number then on the lids so that you know exactly what’s what.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheBearfootBaker
Fire Starter
Some petroleum-jelly-soaked cotton balls stuffed in an empty pill bottle will make an excellent firestarter when you or your kids go off camping or hiking in the woods. Make sure not to actually burn the pill bottle – burning plastic is not good for the environment.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MomWithAPrep
Travel-Sized Shampoo
You don’t want to take massive bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion when travelling or camping, so save some space in your bag by filling up your empty pill bottles. Genius!
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheBeautyBlog
Cotton Swab Container
Q-tips, or cotton swabs, fit perfectly into a regular-sized prescription pill bottle; it seems like such an obvious match! This is great for traveling, or even just keeping around the house in each of the bathrooms.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheBeautyBlog
Rainbow Crayons
If you have a little kid then you’re sure to have a bunch of broken crayons – the thin shape seems to be just too easy for toddlers to snap.
Instead of wasting those broken pieces, melt them into a pill box to make these awesome rainbow crayons; the bigger size will suit your little tots so much better.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Momtastic
Portable Sewing Kit
I have been saved on more than one occasion thanks to my friend keeping a mini sewing kit in her handbag. I actually used to make fun of her for it, but now I’m thinking I should make one to keep in the glove compartment of my car. You never know when you’ll need some thread, needles, pins, safety pins and buttons!
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ClipWithPurpose and FromGlitterToGumdrops
Bobby Pin Storage
Like most women, I’ve probably bought a million bobby pins in my life, and, like most women, I probably only have about 10 in my house right now. Keep them from going missing by keeping them in your empty bottle – it’s also great for keeping in your handbag.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheBeautyBlog
Survival Kit
You never want to think that you’ll be in a position where you’re lost in the woods, but if you’re a regular outdoors(wo)man, then this handy little kit could very well save your life, or at the very least, save you some pain or infection. I’m truly amazed at just how much can fit into that small bottle!
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – SurvivalAtHome
“Bamboo” Vase
I love this project because it reminds me of just how creative people can be; who would’ve thought that stacking empty pill bottles could result in this cool bamboo-looking vase?
I’d suggest giving it a paint job to make it look more realistic.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MichLInLA
Center-Pull Yarn Ball
Here’s a way to save all you knitters and crocheters from buying an expensive ball winder. Wrapping your yarn around your empty pill bottle will help create that center gap. It’s a real lifesaver!
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – IAlwaysPickTheThimble
Snowman
Turn your empty bottles into cute little snowmen for Christmas! This is a great craft for the kids to get involved; you can set them on your mantelpiece, in the kids’ rooms or even hang them from the tree.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CraftingAGreenWorld
Vitamin Packs
Personally, I’m not a fan of taking too many vitamins and supplements, but I know many people who swear by it. If you’re going away, don’t lug all those big bottles around with you, just use your empty pill bottles for their intended purposes: carrying pills! Seems pretty obvious, right?
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheBeautyBlog
Light Garland
If you’ve got quite a few empties you can give your LED string lights more of a subtle amber glow by using the orange pill bottles and mini lamp shades. If it looks a bit too obvious for your liking and you want to hide what they really are, take off the lids and cover with something like little craft flowers, butterflies etc.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CraftingAGreenWorld
Nail Polish Removal
Need to get that chipped nail polish off in a hurry before you head off to work? Turn your old pill bottle into a handy helper by stuffing some cotton balls soaked in nail polish remover. You just need to dip each finger in and twist.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – WhoKnew?Tips
Coin Holder
When it comes to coins I don’t know how much money I’ve lost in my life, but I’ll bet it’s a rather sizable amount that I could’ve spent on something incredible. So instead of losing coins in that black hole of a handbag, in the couch, under the car seats or wherever else coins disappear to, make use of a perfectly-sized empty pill bottle.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – WDWPrepSchool
Child-Proof Container
Since these bottles have that handy child-proof feature, it makes them the perfect storage containers for anything that you wouldn’t want the kids to get their hands on, like sharp pins, beads or any other small items that could be swallowed.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ThriftyFun
Tooth Holder
This one’s really cute if you’re a mommy with children who still believe in the tooth fairy. Slipping into their room and trying to sneak out the tooth from under their pillow is actually quite a task, so why not make this cute little holder instead? It’s easier on the “tooth fairy”, and she can leave her financial trade in there.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – AboutHome
Handbag Trash Can
A woman’s handbag can easily turn into a bottomless pit of useless trash, making it so much harder to find the actual useful stuff. So this little idea is so damn handy and clever: use an empty pill bottle to store all the candy wrappers, receipts and who knows what else until you get to a trash can. It’s just big enough to hold it all, yet not too big that it takes up too much space.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ModPodgeRocks
Earphone Container
One of those small but significant frustrations in life is broken on tangled earphones – I know this from experience since I usually just toss them carelessly into my bag. Save yourself the irritation by keeping yours safe in an empty pill bottle!
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Pinterest
Jewelry
I would honestly never have thought of cutting up the plastic bottle to make jewelry, and I’d also never expect it to actually come out looking pretty instead of tacky! Once you get started and let the creative juices flow, I’ll be there’s a lot of pretty pieces to be made.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – LilacPop
Seed Storage
If you’re need to keep your seeds safe during the wintertime, an empty pill bottle should be just the right size to store them until it’s time to get planting.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – SlightlySteady
Grow Magnet
This is a fun one for the kids—almost a bit of an experiment—because they’ll be able to watch the roots and plant grow through the transparent pill bottle. Once the plant has outgrown its little container you can also show the kids how to transplant it to a bigger pot.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – AboutHome
Interesting Lamp
This is a cool little project because it seems so random and out of the ordinary – a modern-looking lamp made from reused pill bottles (the larger size will work best). This would look great simply hanging on a wall as an interesting feature.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Instructables
Single Flower Vase
I love this idea because not only is it really easy, but the simple elegance of it is what’s so attractive. You can make a whole bunch of these and scatter them across a mantelpiece or group them together as a table centerpiece.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – ForTheLove
Cat Toy
Some beans or dry rice and jingle bell in an empty pill bottle can make the best DIY toy for your kitty.
You can even knit a little cover for it so that your beloved cat can claw at it all day long. I’d suggest hiding it at night if you’re a light sleeper!
DIY Instructions and Project Credit – AboutHome
Annette B
My husband insists on having toothpicks in the vehicles and for travel so I put toothpicks in these... it works perfect!
KK
I Can totally relate! Thank you!
Judy riley
I keep matches and a small piece of emery board in a pill bottle in my medicine cabinet beside a small candle just in case the lights go out. you always need light in the bathroom
charles roberts
You can also bring in solar lights for the night and set back out in day to re-charge.
Janice Brewer
Put a birthday candle in with the matches to help light bigger candles.
Rebecca
I do too!!! I also have one in my car!
Abbenxena
I use my larger pill bottles as a cup for water for my brushes when I paint instead of staining the bottom of one of my good drinking cups
Anonymous
Great idea cuz I've been using my coffee cups...lol. ?
Lee Herbert
Putting M&M's in a pill bottle and " getting kids involved " in making fire starters are just recipes for disaster.
Also if anyone has the time to do any of these things they obviously have far too much time on their hands and need to think of something more constructive to do !
GW
What a ray of sunshine you are. LOL
dcp
apparently there are folks out there who have time to sit on pinterest and reading blogs about things they don't ever intend to actually do! So WHO has too much time on their hands??
Jj
Perhaps someone with a medical condition that limits their ability to get out & do more physically taxing activities would truly enjoy 'wasting time' on this & would find it constructive... Hence the extra amount pill bottles on hand! Why be negative?? My great grandmother used things like this to make each grand & great grand child their own Christmas ornament every single year! And always something different, that didn't cost much. We love & cherish them to this day! Why judge & make nasty replies?! If it's not useful to you then simply MOVE ON & let those who like it read & enjoy in peace!!
Lisa
I am the person you speak ofJj. Thank you for your comment! I have over 200 empty pill bottles that I want to re purpose. As someone who takes 14 different pills each day and can't work, these ideas are great for me.
Mary
I love Pinterest! Great ideas which I've made extra money on. Also have made teacher gifts for the grandkids. Anyone naysayers on Pinterest should not get on Pinterest..da!
Love
I agree with you 100%?
Ron
So you must have a lot of time to come on here and be negative. Move on!!
s.d.Dee
thank you. I am one who is disabled. I appreciate your comment. bless you
Pam
Thank you for having a great attitude. Recycling is an attitude more of us need before we throw something out, recycling puts a smile on my face!
Lisa Marie Norman
I am a Traveling Nurse. I come across many empty pill bottles. I may not Craft myself but how fun to share with others when they need a small container for something! And I may actually use the hidden key idea and the light set. How cute for christmas for a Nurse or even a gift for a Pharmacy tech student!!!!! Love it,
Reuse Repurpose! Lisa
Lel
Thought this was for adults. Dang
Theresa
I completely agree with you! So many negative people out there!!
Kl
That's what I thought
Jayne Lockridge
Yes you are right about this person having way to much time on its hands.
Jen
Obviously, you!!! Since you found the post and decided to make a negative comment about it.
Barbara Meuleman
probably retired
Sue
And now you are slamming retirees? Nice! Two sides of the same coin.
Pam
Because you don't seem to have alot of positves, maybe hold off say 10 or 20 years until you really do have something positive to add.
Gjb, Retiree
I am retired. I did a search for this topic to look for ways to help our environment. Most retirees are very concerned about the world we are leaving to future generations. Although retired my time is valuable and I rarely waste time on responses like this, but I felt it worthwhile to try to maybe open someone's mind even a little bit.
Anonymous
My husband takes heart meds and I was cleaning the bins and thought what can be done with the empty containers, got some great ideas. Things that won’t be time consuming, but good repurpose ideas.
Thanks
Anonymous
Apparently you have time to read and comment on stuff that doesn't interest you. get a life.
Emmie
Perhaps we have worked for many years and are finally able to relax and enjoy our lives. If finding something creative to do instead of doing nothing annoys you then I sense a bit of jealousy. Embrace every stage of life and make the most of each day you have.
tcrew
Apparently you do! You had time enough to read all the ideas and post a negative comment. So you must have too much time on your hands! If more people repurposed items and turned them into something useful there would not be so much trash and litter.
NMP
Why are you here then?...now YOUR posts is what is wasting OUR time! Apparently, you have nothing better to do but complain.
Karen
Lol...
Julie
Boo on you for being such a Debbie Downer!
Terry
A Negative Nancy...a Petty Betty to go with the Debbie Downer...someone always has to find something to whine about
shish
@Lee Herbert
I see you're one of those persons who believe the rest of the world is populated by morons. That's unfortunate.
As a disabled grandmother, I will enjoy my unusually LARGE amount of free time by implimenting a few of these ideas for my own use. Then when the kids are over to play I'll see what kind of mischief we can get into.
I'm considering a small hide-in-my-hand pill bottle loaded with a bit of Borax. When the time is right grandma can wave her hand over the firepit and make it burn green!
I raised a houseful of sons and lost nary a one. Nor have I lost my ability to place a look of wonder on a child's face. (A few weekends ago we built potato guns!)
Get a grip. When used responsibly, kids can be all matter of fun!
Laura parsons
Fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing. You have luck grandchildren!
Barbara Meuleman
great comment.....retired gives us plenty of time to volunteer, do crafts, and to enjoy life. NO negatives...:)
LEEA
EXACTLY BARBARA !!*
Claudia
If you can't be kind, try being quiet. Seriously, sit in quietness and say Thank You for what you have just read. Perhaps you aren't interested in these ideas, which makes me wonder why you are reading the article, but it may bring great delight to others:
* many of us delight in repurposing items for a current need & and contributing to a greener world.
* what a fun way to start children thinking about saving the earth while relishing their creativity and bonding with you.
* a grandmother, with lots if love but little money, can make a cat toy for her grandchild's new kitten.
* little gifts of toothpick holders, change holders, needles & pins holder from gramma or a grandchild will be future, warm memories that come with home made gifts from a loved one.
Look beyond the item itself and see the wonders that can come with it. ?
Linda nievruegge
? well said. There are constructive criticisms and there are hurtful opinions. Which do you think you have contributed to, Lee Herbert? Now excuse me while I continue my research and waste no more time defending our desires
Barbara Meuleman
great comments
Tee
It's funny that Lee herbert thinks people doing these projects is in fact reading them so who has too much time on his hands. Not to mention recycling and spending time with your children is a great way to bond.
Val
How mean spirited! Resolve to be a better person for the New Year. I LOVE my Pinterest! Some things are NOT the best for ME but I was the one who CHOSE to click on the article and to READ it and looks like I had idle time enough to do it! One thing I have to say is to PLEASE do NOT disregard the IMPORTANCE of what you can do for a sick friend with one of these bottles. I have done the M and M thing and my prescription was "Damnitol: when it all gets too crazy, pop a couple of these....and keep on going" I have made and have given several of these and they ALWAYS elicit a smile! Another, I was the recipient of....and it was a pill bottle filled with quarters, labeled nicely, for my guests while I was in the hospital so that I could send them to the vending machine. Works beautifully! A Church visitor gave me a few of those rolls and it was something that I will never forget! ANOTHER GOOD IDEA! I have a ton of them too, but my pharmacy uses RED bottles....so I like the idea with the strand of lights, too. THIS year I found a friend who has GREEN rx bottles, so I combined the colors and incorporated into my stocking stuffers. CUUUUTTTEEE!!!!
Sue
Who are you to tell anyone what to do with there time? There are more important things to bitch about , really!!!!!
Pwhich
Well you know what mr. Herb or what ever your name is you are just mad because you are not creative and if you have enough time to write a snarky comment
You should be doing something
more productive.
PATRICIA
@Lee Herbert
Look at you, you got all of these people to reply to your comment. (including me) Way to go!!! That being said... My mama always told me if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Have a great day everyone!!! <3
connie harris
You are just mean-
Barbara Meuleman
You are sure a negative person; how do you know what we do with our time? I volunteer many places (I'm 80) and look for ways to entertain nursing home patients, children, my Prayer group and anyone else I touch during the day. Some people are so lonely that a pill bottle full of anything fun cheers them up. Even M&M's for my Bible Study; makes the scriptures more fun to enjoy candy and God at the same time. Lighten up....life is so much more fun that way.
SherriH
Why are you even looking at this site if you have nothing kind to say about ideas like these and the people who enjoy trying them or coming up with new ones? Clearly you have enough time on your hands to write a nasty message like this.
Fawn
M&M's in a pill bottle are nice snack sized servings to send in lunches rather than purchasing the 'fun sized' bags. Kids NEED to be taught about fire and fire safety, not sheltered from it. Getting kids involved is ALWAYS a recipe for disaster. LOL We involve them because it is quality time, teaching skills and responsibility, Involving kids is what parenting is about.
Angel
Who has the time to search up what to do with empty pill bottles just to leave negative comments and pass judgement instead of doing something productive?
Todd Branston
Lee Herbert - what kind of person browses craft forums and criticizes a suggestion? Is that why you do, Lee? You browse forums and trash ideas you don't like? Do you attend children's birthday parties and complain when you see a clown? You actually came to a craft site to complain about crafts? I am sure you're a disappointment to your parents.
Melynie Tapp
@Herb you obviously get pleasure from stirring up crap! You are ignorant and should be booted off this site permanently. Some of us look for ways to make low cost items as gifts because we are on fixed incomes, you obviously have plenty of money so take your hoity-toity behind elsewhere!!!!!!
For everyone else, I wish you good crafting and tons of fun doing it... God Bless y’all! ?
Leea
ALL OF U PEOPLE, PLEASE STOP ARGUING !! JUST READ AND LEARN AND BITE YOUR TOUNG IF U DON'T AGREE... PLEASE BE NICE PEOPLE !! IT IS A NEW YEAR FOR GOD'S SAKE !!
QUIT BEING SO CRITICAL OF ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING !! THANK YOU,
LEEA*
Ann
Amen to that.
Michelle
I did the fire starters with my cub scouts and also the survial kit the boys loved them. Gave the fire starters to their fathers for Fathers Day and the survial kits we made into tie slides and they wore them for months and still kelt them.
Dan
I agree with the first part about putting M&M's in pill jars and making fire starters not being the best idea to get kids involved with... For one, getting them into the habit of popping out pretend pills out of pill bottles may not be such a great thing to get them associating with (kinda like those candy cigarettes back in the day, look how many of those kids ended up smokers)... and of course the fire starters would depend on the age and responsibility level. But getting them involved with making art out of things instead of filling up the landfills is a GREAT idea, and no more a waste of time as is trolling this post!!!
Angelina
That's kind of rude. I get your point, but.....
Kristin Mineah
You've got to wonder how someone who obviously has zero interest in crafting or recycling ended up on this website and took the time (precious commodity that it is) to read the entire post just to leave a negative comment. Talk about a waste of time - his AND ours! Trolls don't only live under bridges...ugh.
Susan
Maybe you would enjoy relaxing with a project to embellish your Killjoy prescription, or one for Chill pills!
Freedom means: We can do whatever we want with our own time- even waste it on making remarks to people who suck the joy out of simple pleasures
Anonymous
im 18 years old and im stuck in quarantine. Yes, I literally have nothing more constructive to do. At least I'm doing something.
Cindy Furcean
Well, there is always going to be a Yin/Yang, to everything. You are the yin. Negative and dark.. I'm a recycled artist. I was stumped with ideas. I got a few from this page, even if I create my own way, it inspired me with ideas. Life is short. We only have this one chance at it.Be a big part of it, and shine. Maybe it would be cool to reply again, with something nice to say. You will be surprised how, Forgiveness is always welcomed.
😁
🌿Peace
Vlad
Please don't include download links to Instructables. Anything of value is hidden behind their Pro account levels and requires paid subscriptions. It's a crummy tease.
"Wanna see how this neat thing is done? It's going to cost you."
GW
I am not even logged in on Instructibles and I can see all the content. What are you talking about? There was a pop-up asking me to sign up, but I just clicked out of it.
Matthew
They make great containers for nails, screws, and other small hardware items, especially the ones around 1.5" wide. I scuffed up the lid with sandpaper and painted it with some flat paint with primer built in. The primer holds better to the lid, and flat so I could write the contents on it in sharpie and it won't wear off.
I took an open-mouthed tool tote, cut some extra 2" ID PVC and put them inside to hold the bottles upright.
Amelia
Thank you, was wondering the best way to add stability. As someone with chronic illness, I'm tired of throwing these things away or storing them with no idea of what to do with them. This solves my problem, I'm going to let the creativity flow!
Tulegirl
I’ve seen where the screw top lid was nailed or screwed to the bottom of a shelf. The bottle with its visible contents can easily be removed and returned with a simple twist.
Nancy
That is genius! Would also be great in the kitchen: attach lids to bottom of cabinet shelf and hang bottles of the piping tubes mentioned in the article, toothpicks, birthday candles, etc. Great idea!
Carrie T
I LOVE the portable sewing kit. I was wondering of I could get a list of what you put in there. I would love to do these for some girls getting ready to go to collage and for traveling.
Thanks
Kathy
The sewing kits would be nice for the shoebox ministry. We pack shoeboxes for children every year. This would be good for the teenagers.
Scott
Love the tips...love toe idea of original thought and creativity. Forget the naysaying morons and their programmed walled up closed minded
Scott
Yea I made a mistake on spelling...part of my creative process
linda matute
lol on spell'n error I was gonna go back 2 find the toe thing I'd missed 🙂
Jane
Similiar to on e of these ideas the containers are also great for geocaches. You can cover them in camo tapet to hide...of use the top of the container and attache a stone or wood piece. etc....Not sure what a geocache is...check out geoaching.com
Karen
Geocaching pill bottles seems like a terrible idea. If a cop sees you hiding the bottle or removing it, he's gonna be suspicious.
Carole
He won't find anything, and you all will have a good laugh.
Dyana
I also use them for geocaching. I stuff as many grocery bags as I can in them and leave them in each geocacch I find. I tape a note to each bottle saying "CITO" cach in, trash out. Encouraging finders to take a bag and pick up trash on the way out.
LAURA
I have been very sick for a long time. I've already donated 4 garbage bags full of these bottles. I don't understand why Walgreens doesn't recycle them, but they don't. Love these ideas. Thank you.
Natalie
Probably because they would have to have a way to sterilize or clean them due to liability issues. They can go in plastics recycling, be made into something else, creating a job for someone. I use them for sorting beads for jewelry.
GUYLENE sMITH
Franklin Graham has a program which recycles medicine bottles. The Samratian's purse.
Norma walker
Those of us who do Operation Christmas Child boxes use them for fishing kits for the boy boxes. Now a warning after an elderly person passes check their bottles my Momd engagement and wedding ring were in a bottle.
Shelly King
I do Operation Christmas bottles and was wondering what kind of things you put in the bottles for the fishing kits? I am making sewing kits for the girls and thought your idea was great.
Dr. M
Hey! Girls fish, too! 🙂
A dude
And boys can sew! I fix my own shirts and even sewed a DIY chalk bag for rock climbing a few years back. Essential skill.
Ginger
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!!
Doreen
I suffer from Fibromyalgia, can't work and at home a lot. Have used many of these ideas. I used to get my quarters in one take it with me to the laundromat. Chances are they take plastic now. Love the idea about the Snowman. I already make Snowmen from glass jars, bottles, plastic peanut butter containers and even a small fishbowl. Keep the ideas coming. Thank you. Marry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawn
great ideas - grumpy can go grumps somewhere else - when I used to sell avon I found a neat game that would work with one of these - go around the house and pick up anything tiny - fill the bottle - you can get 30 -50 small items in it - then at a gathering - play the game - issue paper and pencil and show the bottle but don't open it - the person who lists the most things that are actually in the bottle wins
Diane
I'm a seamstress, and when I'm done with a project, but still have thread on the bobbin leftover, I like to put them in medicine bottles with their matching thread. It's a good way to keep them together, and when I use the color again I don't wind another bobbin by accident!
Cindy
Lots of wonderful ideas, but I agree candy of any kind in a pill box is a bad idea. Just makes them interesting to children who could then mistakenly take real pills. Disaster waiting to happen.
Carole
Paint them outside and bottle top. Then, they won't look like what they are. When children are around, we have to watch them because they are more resourceful than we can think. With all kids it's a teaching moment.
Michelle
Not everyone has children around to worry about the candy in the bottle.
Amber
WOW such fantastic ideas!!! I also use pill containers to put fishing weights, hooks, swivels and small lures in. You can label them and see what is in each one. Keeps lures from getting tangled together too.
mitran
creativity and recyclig wonder art foe this era
delta Sierra
I love these ideas, Thank you, All.
But as a physician who treats children, I must point out that we in healthcare consider it a hard rule never to put candy in a pill bottle or associate candy with meds in any way. I'd even avoid trying to disguise the bottle because, as a mom, we know kids don't miss much. Child overdoses are so sad and mostly preventable. Supervision is also a must, of course, but any simple thing we can do in prevention, helps.
Here's an educational game I found entertaining and other info:
http://www.pillsvscandy.com
Thanks!
Paul Alexander
I use some of mine to hold thumb drives and memory sticks. It keep them from getting dusty, and the bottle can be labeled as to the content on the device.
Amy
This is a new idea for me! Thanks!
LA
Thanks for the great ideas! I've been wondering what to do. Now I have some good ideas!?
CJ
Wow, what great ideas for holding NON-food items!! I'm passing on these ideas in my newsletter!
Susan
Great suggestions! I use them as portable sharps containers.
Diana
I like to use these bottles for:
• Basic, compact, first aid kits (similar to survival kits, but more often used and less comprehensive). I fill a bottle with Band-Aids, Neosporin tubes, single packet alcohol wipes, and a bit pf sterile gauze. I keep them everywhere- the bathroom, the garage, the car,the garden shed- and I also give them as gifts. I personally wrap them with glow-in-the-dark duct tape, and label them as "First Aid" with a red Sharpie.
• This is going to sound super weird before I explain: I fill empty pill bottles with quarters, dimes, and nickels, decorate the bottles with a label that reads, "Oh crap! Exact change ASAP!" and give the bottles as gifts. It's not just me being cheap and/or lazy, I swear, it's actually because I try to be thoughtful! I tell recipients to keep the bottle in arm's reach in the car, to use in case they find themselves on a toll road, without the relevant state transponder. That way, they won't be trying to drive while looking for the right spare change under the carpet floor mats. I atend to give people 2 bottles filled with quarters, nickels, and dimes, but I label the second bottle a, "EXACT CHANGE ONLY?! The machine wants me to starve!" These are for vending machines- BUT - I explain to recipients that it's best to save these bottles for the eventuality when they are very hungry/thirsty, only have access to a vending machine which demands exact change, and don't have the correct exact change, rather than simply using the change in a vending machine when they could just insert a dollar bill. I make the 'vending machine' bottles of change more quarter
Paul S.
My grandchildren save pop can tabs for girl scouts. I use pill bottles to store them in.
elaine
my grandmother always said if you can"t sat something nice don"t say nothing at all
Shauna
I like all of these ideas. There are some I already put to use lrior to seeing this site (change, Q-tips, make-up holders,etc.) but others that I hadn't thought of. I, however, am unable to see any negative comments, though from the comments that are available for me to see, there was obviously a negative person spewing upon what is supposed to be crafty, fun, upcycling
Amy
I have a 6" wide pencil/scissor/anything holder on my desk. I take the lids off and put smaller (narrow) pill bottles inside the holder. The pens & pencils will stand up straighter.
walterrean
Great ideas.
Joie Gahum
Ill try those with my roadeavour as well!
Charles D. Burdette
I think Lee Herbert needs a bottle full of Xanax to help make him a happier person!!!!
Melynie Tapp
I think he needs ex-lax to help get the stick out lololololol.
Dorothe Carr
One I haven't seen mentioned, but probably will right after I post this. :)My mother in law sent me anAsian cookbook with "asian" spices. so one pill bottle had mustard seeds, one had cumin seeds etc. it was a nice, thoughtful gift.
Debbie Seymour
I put Staples in these bottles because the box holding them wears out and they spill out.
Also mini nails for crafting works well.
Mini samples of hand cream work well in these too.
Miniature shells (bead size), marbles, glass beads for crafts.
For jewelry making the little beads etc; they hold a lot and allow you to keep them sorted.
Also hold AA batteries.
For camping and keeping mice away, soak peppermint oil in cotton balls and store in bottles.
lAURIE
If you draw or color, you probably have the kind of eraser you knead. I keep mine in a pill bottle, out of dust and cat/dog hair. I also keep one of cotton swabs, another of rubbing alcohol, and another of baby oil with my coloring supplies for when I want to use them for blending, instead of having big bottles taking up space.
Tonya
I have been looking for ideas for the 2 and 3 year olds I teach in Sunday school to make for gifts for their parents. Between what my disabled husband takes and I take for my conditions we have a great supply of different size bottles. Thank you for all the ideas.
Jemagil
GREAT IDEA 😀 Thank You
Tracy Law Jones
I never throw away pill bottles (bad for the environment) so I love these ideas. Also have one of my own. Sorry if this was already stated but there were too many replies to go through. I was babysitting for a little one who got bored with everything else. I filled a larger, childproof bottle with popcorn and made a baby rattle. He absolutely loved it! And, no, I didn't worry that he would get interested in pill bottles. At about 6 months old, he didn't know what it was and quickly outgrew it.
DECAF
Hoping this can be corrected ~ the link for making the candle holder only leads to a long one-page advertisement. :'(
Vanessa Beaty
Looks like their domain name expired and the new owner put up a big advertisement. BUT you can do it easily pick up a plate, blue or any kind of spray paint to paint the materials and start gluing pill bottles to the painted plate to make this or even a more beautiful candle holder.
Kathleen Bates
Yarn and beads for kids (age appropriate) for Dr. office waiting etc .