Say buh-bye to those little plastic bags. With just a few snips, you can create a set of cool, eco-friendly, reusable snack and sandwich containers from juice cartons and milk jugs. They're food-safe, easy to rinse clean, and absolutely free, so it's no biggie if they get tossed accidentally. Let your kids decorate the boxes with stickers and permanent markers for an even more personalized look.

Be sure to check out more ideas to help you navigate the busy back-to-school season.

Materials

• SANDWICH BOX:
• 1-gallon milk jug
• Marker
• Scissors
• Thumbtack

• Adhesive-backed Velcro dot
• SNACK BOX:
• Juice or milk carton, in any size from a half-pint to a quart
• Scissors
• Adhesive-backed Velcro dot

Instructions

1. SANDWICH BOX: Mark a clean 1-gallon milk jug as shown.

2. Cut along the lines with scissors. To make the crease lines, use a thumbtack to pierce a row of dots at 1/4-inch intervals across each side of the jug, 1 3/4 inches up from the bottom.

3. Fold the flaps at these dotted lines, then open them and fold them in the opposite direction along the lines (this will make the flaps easier for your kids to open and close). Fold up the box and add an adhesive-backed Velcro dot closure.

4. SNACK BOX: Use a clean juice or milk carton. Cut off the top, then cut the sides into flaps as shown. Carefully crease the flaps, then fold them down and add an adhesive-backed Velcro dot closure.

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Find more about:

• Back-to-School |
• Plastic Crafts

Related Categories:

• September 2009