Valentine Holder Penguin from a Milk Container

This Valentine holder penguin will be the hit of the class party!

I came up with this cute penguin idea over 15 years ago when my apartment complex had a balcony decorating contest.  The grand prize:  one month’s free rent.  As a cash strapped newlywed, I needed to come up with a winning idea that was inexpensive.  This penguin from a milk jug idea was born, I filled my balcony with cute penguins and a “south pole” sign, and won the contest!

My daughter has been very interested in penguins lately, and with Valentine’s day coming up I decided to put a little twist on my penguin jug project.  By cutting an opening in the back, this cute penguin project can double as a Valentine holder for class parties!

(This post first appeared at Dollar Store Crafts.)

• Plastic Gallon Container
• Egg carton
• Glue gun
• Paint
• Felt

Step one:  Use a craft razor to cut a large opening under the handle.

Step two:  Cut the egg carton apart so you have two eyes and a beak.  Glue the pieces on as pictured.

Step three:  Paint the eyes and chest with white paint.  Paint the rest of the penguin’s body black.  Paint the beak orange.

Step four:  Cut wings and feet from felt, and hot glue them on.  Since this is a Valentine’s day craft, I cut heart shapes for the feet and wings.

This adorable penguin is ready for the Valentine’s day party!  My daughter has already snatched him up and is using it to hold little toys in her room.  It makes a cute little storage container, as well as funny decorative piece.  Best of all, this project costs nothing since most of the materials used were recycled.  Have fun crafting and creating!

PSSST….I also have a tutorial for making a frog instead of a penguin!  You can find the full tutorial HERE.