LDS Primary Birthday Cans

These really cute surprise birthday cans can't be opened until the children go home, so this makes a fun gift without the worry that they will play with the toys or eat the candy during church.

Here's what the finished birthday cans look like: Picture One and Picture Two

Preparation: Ordinary cans, a special can opener (info below), simple toys and candies from your local dollar store, fill of some kind, a birthday label (given below), and crazy glue.

Directions: First you need some cans like this. These cans were opened using a special can opener (available at most stores that sell kitchen supplies) that "pops off" the top lid, it does NOT CUT the can open like other can openers, but cuts open the original seal. The cans are 4" tall with a 2" diameter and are the type used to store different foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Of course you must clean the inside and remove the outside wrapper before beginning. (You can use a different size can if you make your own labels.)

Fill the bottom of the cans with some type of material such as "Easter grass" (a yellow type is shown in this picture), tissue paper, or confetti. Place small toys, candies, and other misc. items that children like into the can, and fill the rest of the can with more material. We spent up to $2 per can for toys (such as mini games, bouncy balls, etc that are not shown in picture) and other treats bought at a local dollar store.

Now take the lid and put crazy glue all around the inside rim, place it onto the can, apply pressure, and within seconds the can will be resealed. Once dry make sure you turn the can UPSIDE-DOWN so the glued top is on the bottom, this way it can be reopened properly.

Next print and cut out one of these two Happy Birthday labels: Color or Black/White. MAKE sure you leave a one inch tab on either the right or left side of the label. Place glue on the back of the label and on BOTH sides of the one inch tab so when you wrap the label around the can the other side will glue right on top of the tab.

Note: If you have trouble printing the birthday label you can save it to your computer to use in a graphics or word processing program. (Hint, when printing with Internet Explorer if you highlight ONLY the graphic you can then choose to "print the selection" under File > Print.)

To reopen the birthday cans tell the children to have one of their parents use a can opener when the return home.