I like to think that most of us try to be pretty “green”. Using things with less packaging, recycling, and overall reducing what we use. It’s pretty cool when we can apply those ideas to party decorating! A few years ago, I wrote an article for Yum! Food and Fun for Kids magazine where I threw a budget-friendly puppy party. Part of what made is so affordable was the upcycled decorations–like this puppy party fire hydrant made from an oatmeal container.

I get asked about how I did this quite a bit, so finally, finally! here is the tutorial. This is a Craft Lightning project, so you can make it in 15 minutes or less.

How to make a fire hydrant from recyclables

This is a quick and easy craft you’ll likely find the materials for in your recycling bin! Use an old bowl or pick one up from a thrift store.

Materials:

• Large oatmeal container
• Bowl
• Paper towel roll or two toilet paper rolls
• Empty ribbon roll
• Water bottle cap
• Spray paint primer
• Red spray paint

Turn the bowl upside down and hot glue it to the top of the oatmeal canister. Cut one of the paper towel rolls to about an inch and a half tall and hot glue it to the bowl.

Cut another one of the paper towel rolls to about 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Draw a shallow arc on one end and cut it out. This will help the side pegs sit flush to the oatmeal canister.

Hot glue the pegs to the sides of the oatmeal canister.

Tear off one of the sides of the empty ribbon roll.

Cut arcs into two sides of the roll so that it will sit flush to the canister.

Glue the ribbon roll to the front of the canister. Now you’re ready to paint!

Give the fire hydrant a quick coat of primer; it will really help the red stick to everything. After the primer dries, give it a coat or two of red paint and you have a perfect puppy party party prop!

You can see more details of the puppy party here.

Be sure to visit the rest of the Craft Lightning recycled craft projects through the link below!