Gardener Transforms Empty Tuna Cans Into The Cutest Outdoor Lights

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

After opening a can of tuna, many of us toss the empty, pungent container faster than we can say "lunch." But it might be a better idea to wash it out and give it a brand new purpose. There are many ways to turn old tuna cans into the cutest DIY decor, but crafting enthusiast Mrs Clare Hoops also gives them new functionality as garden stake lights. Now, if you're scratching your head trying to picture a tuna can as a light — imagine one sitting on top of a stick, serving as a holder for a beautiful, glowing jar. It's a unique spin on the outdoor staple, and the project is very easy to complete.

Yet another perk about these tuna can lights is how budget-friendly they are. You could use Dollar Tree finds to light up your porch or patio, but for this DIY, you might already have most of the supplies at home already. For each stake, you'll need an empty tuna can, a long and sturdy stick, a jar, and some form of battery-operated lights. Feel free to reach for paint if you have any (or grab a can of Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Spray Paint on Amazon). For tools and fasteners, get out a power drill and screws — or just use a simple hammer with some nails. The end result will give you lights that you can stake into a garden, planter, or anywhere else in your yard that could use a whimsical touch.

Start by removing the labels from your tuna cans, then give them a deep cleaning in warm, soapy water. Once they're dry, bring the cans outside and spray paint them; you can skip this step if you prefer to keep them plain silver. The next part involves attaching the cans to the tops of the sticks. Mrs Clare Hoops did this by placing a (right-side-up) can onto a stick, then securing it with a drill. You could also use a hammer and nail instead, or industrial-strength glue like Gorilla Max Strength Construction Adhesive.

From there, take a jar and drop a battery-operated tealight inside. Alternatively, you could swirl a strand of lights in the jar, similar to these XITUBAL Battery Operated Fairy String Lights. After each jar has a light, close them up and get back to your tuna cans on sticks. You can now nestle them into dirt or soil so that they're standing firmly upright. Place a light-filled jar into each tuna can. Once the evening hits, flip on the lights and enjoy the dazzling look of your creations. They'll be like miniature DIY outdoor torches without the safety risks that come from open flames.

If you stake a light into a planter, it'll help illuminate the florals at night. Or, you could spread them throughout the garden for extra-magical aesthetics — especially if you opt for multi-colored bulbs. You could also brighten up a dark walkway with the adorable lights, and you might paint the outside of the tuna cans with colorful designs so they can be quirky garden decor during the day. To keep the light jars safe, be sure to bring them to a covered area before nasty weather strikes.