Operation Christmas Child shoe box packing is in full swing at my house! Tap in to your creative side and try out a few of these DIY projects that are great for packing in a OCC shoe box!
DIY Operation Christmas Child Crafts
Sewing Kit
Empty Altoids tin (decorate ideas)
Multiple needles
Thread
Buttons
Straight pins
Safety pins
Soft tape measure
Add all the items to an Altoids tin, or you can get even more creative and put everything in to a pot holder.
Mini Boxes
I saved some Altoids and gum containers and left it up to my girls to decorate them. We used patterned Duck Tape to wrap the boxes to make it a little more fun. 
One of the boxes my girls made was a coloring box. We included some crayons (the pack of crayons you get from restaurants would be the perfect size). Then they cut some paper and stapled it together for a little coloring notebook.
Construction Kit
Empty pill bottle
Nails
Small hammer
Put the nails in the bottle and include a small hammer in the box. Storing them in the bottle or even a tin box keeps them from tearing up anything else in the box. If you have extra room add in a small tape measure and a pencil.
Note: This should only be in boxes for older kids. There is a chance that it would get removed out of safety out of the toddler and younger kids boxes.
Checkers Board Game
Check out the The Country Chic Cottage’s tutorial for a DIY Checkers board game. If you’re worried metal bottle caps might be too sharp, swap them out for plastic bottle caps.
Make your board out of duct tape like she suggests, or make a board using fabric to make it a little easier to store.
Tic-Tac-Toe Box
For another small game idea, you can create your own tic-tac-toe game in a small tin or other small box you have around the house. Get creative and use buttons, marbles, stones or whatever you can find for the game pieces to make it fun and colorful!
Drawstring Bag
Drawstring bags are a great idea for an OCC box! My girls just finished making draw string bags for their boxes as I type! These are great items to pack for girls and boys, plus you can fill the bag with all the other items or line the bottom of the box with it. They followed Punk Project for instructions and inspiration.
Fishing Kit
Empty Altoids can
Fishing line
Fishing hook
Bait
Weights
Small scissors
If you have room after everything else you’ve packed in the box, you can include a small fishing net as well!
What crafts are you making this year for your shoe boxes? Let us know in the comments!