DIY Volkswagen van from recycled tin can, free craft printable!

DIY Volkswagen van

Recycle your empty tin can into a Volkswagen van, a super fun craft with a Christmas twist! Free printable available. Wrap up some candy or cookies and store them in this cute tin can Christmas van, the perfect Christmas present for your loved ones! You can also use the van as a Christmas ornament for the tree. Of course, you can also create this cute van in the middle of summer and turn them into a surf beach van.

We created a printable from the van to make it easier for you. We have the colored red van, with and without a flower design, and we created a color page version. For a 12 OZ can size (10,8 CM). Just make sure you print the printable true to size. So, uncheck the box “fit to page” so the size of the van design keeps its proper format and will fit your tin can perfectly. I also recommend printing the printable on heavier paper for the best result. 

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Craft Supplies upcycled Volkswagen van

• Tin can
• You can get the printable here (print true to size by printing options)
• White and red acrylic paint (or any color you would like to paint your van) 
• Brush or sponge to paint
• Painters tape
• Light blue, grey, or black paper for the windows
• Four big buttons for the wheels (you can also use plastic lids or cardboard instead)
• Two small buttons for the lights
• A branch from a pine tree or a small plastic Christmas tree 
• Yarn/ribbon/twine to tie the Christmas on top of your van
• Glue, we used a glue stick and hot glue
• Scissor

Craft supplies needed for upcycled Volkswagen van craft

Christmas craft from a recycled tin can

Volkswagen van from a recycled tin can

Volkswagen van craft and free craft template

Step-by-step craft instructions

Step 1: Gather all the craft supplies.

Step 2: Watch the craft tutorial and print out the printable if you like

Step 3: Take your Kitchen Mama electric can opener and open your tin can.

Volkswagen van craft activity

Step 4: Clean the can and dry it carefully.

Step 5: Paint your tin can white; it might need two layers. Let each layer dry for about 30 minutes.

Step 6: Take the painter’s tape and place two even horizontal stripes on the left and right sides of your tin can. So, it’s easier to paint the bottom part of the van red. See the craft tutorial. 

Step 7: Paint the bottom and sides of your van red (or any other color you like). We used a sponge to make it quicker and easier. Let the red paint dry for about 30 minutes.

Step 8: Carefully take the painter’s tape when the red paint is dry.

Step 9: Turn the open side of your tin can downwards and draw a V-shape on the top for the nose of your van. Leave the inside of the V-shape white and the outside red. Ensure it lines up with the red and white stripes on the outside of the van. Watch the craft tutorial to see how. Let your paint dry. 

Step 10: Take some blue paper and cut eight small windows, four for each side and one big window in the front. You can always use the printable as a mall for your windows. 

Step 11: Glue the two buttons (headlight) on the front side of your van; we used hot glue. If you don’t have buttons, draw two headlights with a marker or cut them from yellow paper. On top of the buttons, we glued two sequins.

Step 12: Take four big buttons and glue on each side of the van two buttons (wheels). We used hot glue to attach the buttons. If you don’t have big buttons, use plastic lids or cardboard instead. 

Step 13: Take a pine tree branch to use as a Christmas tree or a small plastic tree if you have one. Glue the branch with a bit of glue on top of the van. Take a piece of ribbon/yarn and tie the Christmas tree on top of the van like a Christmas present. 

Volkswagen van craft, free printable

 

You can get our free printable here!

Looking for another recycled tin can craft activity? Try out one of these can crafts, an “Owlsome storage can,” or these awesome pineapples! 

For more information about our favorite craft supplies and/or stores, check out the blog post favorites.  And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for step by step craft instructions! 

 

Turn your empty can in these cute Christmas vans!

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