Easy DIY Disney Pin Trading Pouches

Our family will be making our first visit to Walt Disney World in just a few weeks. My husband and I have spent quite a bit of time planning in order to make this a memorable trip for our children.  Being in their tweens and early teens, among the many things I thought they would enjoy is Disney pin trading.

How did I get them started?  I bought a large lot of pins from a reputable seller on Ebay, and used them to fill their advent calendar this past Christmas.  I also bought them lanyards to put their pins on.  What I didn't expect was that my co-workers generously sent my children another large lot of pins for the holidays.  How awesome was that of them?

Having way more pins than we could fit on their lanyards, I had to come up with a way to store the children's pins for easy trading during our trip, while keeping the ones they want to save for their collections separate.  It would have been much easier if they were the sharing type and would be willing to combine all the pins they want to trade away in one container.  Alas . . . that is not the case.  So, here is what I came up with . . .

How to Make a DIY Disney Pin Trading Pouch

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Gusseted Zip Close 6"x4-1/2" Clear Cosmetic Pouch (1 per child)

Pack of 4"x6" Color Foam Sheets

chalkboard labels

chalkboard marker

scissors

Step 1.  Use your chalkboard marker to write each child's name on a label (one name per label) as pictured below.  We chose to use a white marker, but you can choose almost any light or bright color.

Step 2. After the labels have completely dried, center each self-adhesive name label on the clean exterior front side of your clear pouch. Then press down firmly to apply the label securely.

 Step 3. Select one color of foam for each child.  Then trim 1-1/4" off the longest side of each foam sheet, resulting in a 4"x4-3/4" sheet. Do this for 3 foam sheets (more can be added later).

Step 4.  Place one foam sheet inside the pouch to act as a divider.  Then attach all the pins your child would like to KEEP on the remaining foam sheets by pushing the pins through the sheets and securing with the official Mickey pin backs.  When done, insert the sheets with the pins into the clear pouches with the pins facing the back of the pouch (the side without the name label).

TIP #1:  I ordered some extra Mickey Mouse pin backs because my youngest son already lost one.  Disney Parks pins are not tradable unless they have the official Mickey head backings, so it couldn't hurt to have some extras on-hand.

Step 5.  On the other side of the divider, fill the front side of the pouch with all the Disney Parks pins your child WANTS TO TRADE away.  These pins will remain loose and will be easy for your child to grab one when making a trade.

TIP #2:  I took a friend's advice and had my children put the pins they wanted to trade away the MOST on their lanyards.  Then they can replenish their lanyards with the loose pins from their pouch anytime.

When a child has acquired a new pin to add to their collection, they can either drop it into the backside of their pouch or quickly pin it onto one of the foam sheets.

This little pouch is compact and easy to carry.  Each child will have a small daypack with them, so they can each carry their own pin pouch.  One less thing for mom or dad to carry, right?

If you like this DIY project, Pin It for later . . .

What tips do you have about Disney pin trading?

Share them with us in a comment here.

Easy DIY Duck Tape Storage Bins with Printable Labels { a Target Dollar Section Craft }

This is a super-easy craft that I did almost a year ago.  I got the bins and most of the solid and patterned duck tape from the Target Dollar Spot.  Having seen these bins in other colors in the Target dollar section recently made me remember that I never did share this project with our readers.

What made me decide to make these bins was the fact that our children are little hoarders.  You would not believe me if I told you some of the strange things we've found in their beds.  I finally realized it was a losing battle to keep their beds free of their most cherished books, toys, and random things.  These storage bins were the best solution I could come up with for our twins, one who sleeps on the top of a bunk bed and the other in a loft bed.  The twins would be able to keep some things in their beds as long as they could be stored neatly inside these bins.

Easy Duck Tape Craft Project:  Decorated Storage Bins for Kids

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

square or rectangular plastic storage bins

patterned duck tape

coordinating solid duck tape

washi tape

printable labels (provided below)

scissors

Step 1.  Print the labels below or make your own to print out in the fonts and colors of your choosing using any text or graphics program.

TO PRINT:  Be sure your printer is on and ready to print.  Click on the image below to enlarge.  Then right-click on the image and select print.  Use your browser's back button to return to this page.

Step 2.  Cut out each label you will be using for your bins.

TIP #1:  Remember to leave enough room around edges for the washi tape frame to overlap with your label.

Step 3.  Using your patterned and solid duck tape, create one, two, or three stripes on the front (the side on which the label will be) of the bin.  You can get as creative as you would like with the colors and widths of your stripes.

TIP #2:  For a neater appearance, start your tape on the inside wall of your bin, where the side and bottom meet.  Then be sure to wrap the other end of the tape around the outside bottom of the bin with at least 2 or 3 inches.

Step 4.  Position your label at the center of the front of the bin and secure it in place with a frame of washi tape.

That's it!  These colorful bins would be perfect for your child's room or playroom.  You can change this craft into something more elegant for your own bedroom, craft room, or living room simply by changing the prints and colors of duck tape and washi tape you choose and the font on your labels, and even the type of bins you use.

Want to try this easy craft?  Pin it for later . . .