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Come one, come all! It’s a circus-themed party and you’re invited. Join us for a birthday celebration and try the kettle corn and animal crackers if you dare. You will have to pass by the mighty beasts that grace and prowl the circus: lions, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, camels…and a moose? Sorry, that one was just for fun.
Fun is what this project is all about; gluing animals on to mason jar lids that can be used as serving containers for snacks or as favors for guests. Imagine these filled to the brim with circus-themed toys like animals, tops, and trains. The children that attend the party will enjoy the goodies inside as much as the festive container.
- Mason jars with snap lids and rings, or plastic one-piece lids
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Plastic animals like these ones used in this project
- Small scissors or box cutter
- Spray Paint for metal and plastic (Krylon Fusion in Patriotic Blue and Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2x in Satin Green Apple)
- If you are using snap lids and rings, you will need to glue them together. Run a bead of glue on the top inside of the ring and press the snap lid in. You can flip the lid either way you like. I think it looked best put together as they are intended. Another option is to use one-piece plastic lids intended for mason jars.
- Glue the feet of a plastic animal to the center of the lid. This project looks best when the animals are 2"-2.5" long. Larger ones dwarf the lid, smaller ones get lost. When the glue is dry, cut the glue strings off and clean up the edges.
- Use spray paint meant to cover multiple materials to cover the lid and animal. I tried both Krylon Fusion and Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2x brands. The Krylon Fusion provided more coverage with a lighter spray and a much more detailed final look.
- Spray a light coat of paint and allow to dry before applying another. It may take 2-3 coats for full coverage.
- Fill jars with snacks or toys and top with lids for a "Grand Spectacular" party favor. Step right up! Step right up!
Used In This Project:
- Large Labels • I chose the “Circus” style in pale green.
- Envelope Seal Labels • I chose the “Circus” style in pale green.
- Oval Hang Tags • I chose the “Circus” style in pale green.
- Scallop Hang Tags • I chose the “Circus” style in pale green.
More Kid-Friendly Gift Ideas:
Circus Animal Cookie Favors A Dinomite Birthday Party Winter Sleepover Party Favors Sidewalk Chalk
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Stephanie Rose is a gardener who lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where she has grown over 100 edibles, 400 perennials, and countless other plants in her small urban yard; a hobby that continues to grow with each season. Stephanie writes DIY garden projects, yummy recipes and crafty goodness at Garden Therapy where she hopes you will find something to inspire you to get outside for a little, well, garden therapy.
These are so fun! Great idea.