Build a basic piggy bank from a plastic bottle or container
The simplest piggy bank is a plastic bottle with a coin slot cut into the top. Take any clean plastic bottle—a water bottle, juice jug, or detergent container works—and use a utility knife or hot knife to cut a horizontal slot about two inches long and half an inch tall near the top. Make the edges smooth by running sandpaper over them so coins slide in without catching. Tape the cap back on, and you have a working bank. To remove coins later, either cut a larger opening at the bottom and tape a flap over it, or drill a hole and insert a cork you can pull out.
If you want something sturdier, use a tin can instead. Remove the label, wash it thoroughly, and dry it completely. Use a hammer and nail to punch a slot into the lid—tap the nail through to create an opening about the size of a quarter. File the edges smooth. This version lasts longer than plastic and looks more finished, though you will need to pry the lid off to empty it.
Key Takeaways
- A plastic bottle with a slot cut in the top is the fastest option and requires only a utility knife and sandpaper.
- Tin cans and cardboard boxes are durable alternatives that take slightly more time to prepare but hold up to repeated use.
- Decorating your bank with paint, stickers, or fabric makes it more visually appealing and helps you stay motivated to save.
- Adding a removable bottom or side panel means you can empty your bank without destroying it.
Make a piggy bank from a cardboard box or paper tube
Cardboard is easy to work with and costs nothing if you have boxes at home. Take a small box—a tissue box, shoe box, or cereal box—and cut a slot into one side using a utility knife. The slot should be wide enough for coins but not so large that they fall out when you tilt the box. Reinforce the slot edges with tape so they do not fray. If you want to empty the bank, cut a flap on the bottom and secure it with tape that you can peel back.
Paper towel tubes and toilet paper tubes also work for smaller banks. Stack two or three tubes and wrap them tightly with tape to form a cylinder. Cut a slot into the top of the stack, then cover the bottom with cardboard and tape. Paint or wrap the outside with construction paper to make it look finished. These tube banks hold fewer coins but are quick to make and work well for teaching children about saving.
Decorate your bank so you want to use it
How your bank looks affects whether you actually use it. Paint plastic or cardboard banks with acrylic paint in colors you like, or cover them with construction paper and tape. Stickers, markers, and glued-on fabric scraps all work. If you are making a pig-shaped bank (the traditional design), paint it pink and add details with a marker—two dots for nostrils, a curly tail made from a pipe cleaner or twisted paper.
Labeling your bank with a savings goal written in marker—"Summer trip," "New headphones," "Emergency fund"—gives you a reason to keep adding coins. You can also cover the bank with photos, magazine cutouts, or drawings that represent what you are saving for. The more personal it is, the more likely you are to use it regularly.
Add a removable bottom so you can empty it without damage
If you build a bank from scratch, plan for how you will get the money out. Cutting the bank open destroys it, so design a removable panel from the start. For a plastic bottle, drill a hole near the bottom and insert a cork that fits snugly—you can pull it out to pour coins into your hand. For a cardboard box, cut a flap on one side and secure it with two pieces of tape that you can peel back and reapply each time you empty it.
Another option is to use a container that already has an opening—a mason jar with a lid, a plastic storage box, or a tin with a removable lid. Drill or cut a slot into the lid, then you can simply unscrew or pop off the lid to retrieve coins. This method is faster than building from scratch and means your bank stays intact indefinitely.
Use materials you already have at home
You do not need to buy anything to make a piggy bank. Check your recycling bin for plastic bottles, jars, and cans. Look in your kitchen for containers that are clean and dry. Old jam jars, yogurt containers, and milk jugs all work. Cardboard from cereal boxes, tissue boxes, and shipping boxes is free and easy to cut. Tape, markers, and paint you probably already own will finish the job.
If you have craft supplies—stickers, construction paper, fabric scraps, pipe cleaners—use them to decorate. If not, markers and paint alone are enough. The point is that a functional piggy bank costs nothing to make, which means you can focus on what matters: actually saving money in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size slot should I cut for coins?
Make the slot about half an inch tall and one to two inches long. This is wide enough for quarters and larger coins to drop through easily but narrow enough that coins do not fall out if you tilt the bank. Test with a quarter before you finish—if it gets stuck, widen the slot slightly.
How do I make the bank look like a pig?
Use a round container like a plastic ball or round box as the body. Glue four small tubes or rolled paper as legs underneath. Add a cork or pipe cleaner curled at one end as the tail. Paint it pink and draw eyes and a snout with markers. You can also glue on felt ears cut from pink fabric.
Can I make a piggy bank that locks?
Yes, but it requires a small padlock and hasp. Attach the hasp to the removable panel or lid with small bolts, then secure it with a padlock. This works best with metal containers or sturdy plastic. Keep the key somewhere safe so you do not lose it.
What if my bank gets full?
Empty it into a jar or bag and count the total. You can then start filling the bank again, or move the coins to a savings account at a bank if you want to earn interest on larger amounts. Some people empty their piggy bank once a month and deposit the coins into a real bank account.