How to Make Trash Cans for A Doll's Garage

Trash cans in the United States have decorative lids similar to the ones pictured
above. I also found an additional grey, plastic container that also looks very
much like a trash can to go inside my doll's garage. You can find all kinds
of containers to clean and recycle that will look like miniature versions of
things you find around the house in real life. 

       I crafted these realistic looking trash cans for a twelve inch doll's garage. (Barbie and Ken dolls) However, you can use larger or smaller recycled tin cans for larger or smaller dolls if you prefer. A tiny tomato paste can will suit a six inch doll's home and a larger 20 oz. recycled can will fit an American Girl's Doll house.

Supply List:

• 15 oz. tin cans
• foil tape or silver packing tape (Get this in a hardware store.)
• can opener (kitchen appliance)
• plastic juice bottles
• sturdy scissors
• masking tape
• cardboard
• plastic trash bags: white and black
• cotton batting
• box cutter or razor blade (Only adults may use this!)

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Gather your supplies and remember that you must ask an adult to help you cut the garage can lid from the juice bottle's bottom with the box cutter before beginning.
2. Also ask an adult or older sibling to cut and clean the can of food before beginning as this may have a sharp edge. He or she may need to flatten that inside edge with the backside of a spoon before smoothing a large sticky piece of silver packing tape over it. Some can openers do not leave sharp edges and you will not need to worry about including this step if you own one like this.
3. Cut a narrow strip of cardboard to wrap and tape the edge of your trash can lip. While you are shaping this, continue to fit the lid over the tin can to make sure that it will fit once it is wrapped with aluminum tape.
4. Cover the entire trash can lid with aluminum tape to form the decorative lid.
5. Now line the interior of the trash can with a clean, trash bag cut down to fit the doll sized trash can.
6. Stuff your doll's trash bag with clean cotton and twist tie the ends shut.
7. Keep the trash cans inside your doll's garage and set them out curbside on the days that the imaginary trash collectors come by your doll's home.

      Above on the left you can see the empty, clean bottle of lemonade that I used to cut away a trash can lid for my project. The heavy, plastic molded pattern is on the bottom of this empty bottle and you will need to ask an older person to help you cut this out. On the right, is the bottom cut out and the cleaned tin can. I pressed a spoon around the inside lip of the can to smooth down any rough, sharp edges. Then I applied a very sticky aluminum tape to that cut area so that no child would be cut by the sharp edge.

      Above, you can see how the decorative stamped lid will fit onto the can. I also taped and glued a lip made from cardboard to the outside edge of the plastic lid before covering the entire lid's surface with very sticky aluminum tape.

     Left, I taped a cut piece of clean, black trash bag to the inside of my tin can. Then I filled the trash bag with clean cotton and twist tied the opening shut. Right, you can also turn the trash bag's edge over the top of the can like so if you want to create the illusion of the "can in use" for a doll display.

More Ideas for A Doll's Garage:

• For the doll that loves to work with wood...
• Miniature vintage toolboxes
• Garage & Gasstation miniatures