Halloween is about fun, spookiness, and lots of candy! I love to upcycle things on my blog, Thrift Diving. So I decided to turn an old fish bowl from the thrift store into a spooky DIY candy dispenser made with a wooden base! This candy dispenser can be used with almost any small candies, such a gumballs, jelly beans, etc.
I love upcycling things from the thrift store! When I saw this thrifted fish bowl I knew it was perfect for a DIY candy dispenser for Halloween since the shape reminded me of a pumpkin!
I created a square starting at one corner of a large piece of birch plywood, and with 1.5" from each side, I traced the shape of the fish bowl.
Using my power drill, I drilled a pilot hole, then used my jigsaw to cut out the circle.
Once the circle is cut out, keep the circle nearby! You'll need it! This piece will be glued onto the fish bowl.
Using a hole saw, drill a hole in the circle you just cut out.
Once the hole is cut, use Gorilla Glue epoxy to secure the circle onto the bottom of the fish bowl.
Using my router, I created 1/4" routed pieces which will be attached to the wooden circle on the bottom of the fish bowl.
When the routed pieces are trimmed and added to the bottom of the fish bowl with glue and nails, it creates a place for the pull to slide in and out to allow for candy to fall out.
Cut wood to create the rest of the base. You'll need 4 sides upon which to sit the top that you'd already cut. There won't be a bottom piece. Leaving the bottom open will allow you to add candy.
Use a cup or something else with a rounded edge to create the opening in the front of the candy dispenser, then cut with a jigsaw.
Cut a long piece of 1/4" birch plywood, about 7 inches (or whatever length you want) which will be the lever that will slide in and out to release the candy. Then, about 2" from the top of the front, trace the edge and cut with a jigsaw (TIP: use the power drill for a pilot hole first).
The lever will have a hole (using the hole saw) that, when pulled, will align the holes and allow candy to come out of the upcycled fish bowl. In order to create stopping points (so the lever doesn't come all the way out or be pushed all the way in by accident), however, you have to drill holes with a bit and insert a wooden dowel into the holes.
Once you've created the holes and lever, add candy and test it out to be sure it works! Make any adjustments necessary.
The inside of the candy dispenser will be constructed with wood that, when the candy is released, will slide down towards the opening. Add wooden sides so that the candy can't go anywhere but out the opening. Super glue and wood glue worked well holding it together.
Choose whatever paint and decorations for your candy dispenser! I chose a chalky black paint with white detailing, with red. Ths is also what the inside looks like when looking at it from above. Notice how the wood slants towards the opening so that the candy only have one place to go when released.
I added some vinyl that was cut with my Silhouette Cameo cutting machine. I added a spooky face to the fish bowl with vinyl, as well.
Now you've got an amazing DIY candy dispenser! The vinyl can be easily peeled off, so after Halloween, you can remove the vinyl and add other candy.
Just have fun with it! Test it out and make sure it works, and then let your family enjoy pulling the lever for treats this Halloween season!
Halloween is about fun, spookiness, and lots of candy! I love to upcycle things on my blog, Thrift Diving. So I decided to turn an old fish bowl from the thrift store into a spooky DIY candy dispenser made with a wooden base! This candy dispenser can be used with almost any small candies, such a gumballs, jelly beans, etc.
I love upcycling things from the thrift store! When I saw this thrifted fish bowl I knew it was perfect for a DIY candy dispenser for Halloween since the shape reminded me of a pumpkin!
I created a square starting at one corner of a large piece of birch plywood, and with 1.5" from each side, I traced the shape of the fish bowl.
Using my power drill, I drilled a pilot hole, then used my jigsaw to cut out the circle.
Once the circle is cut out, keep the circle nearby! You'll need it! This piece will be glued onto the fish bowl.
Using a hole saw, drill a hole in the circle you just cut out.
Once the hole is cut, use Gorilla Glue epoxy to secure the circle onto the bottom of the fish bowl.
Using my router, I created 1/4" routed pieces which will be attached to the wooden circle on the bottom of the fish bowl.
When the routed pieces are trimmed and added to the bottom of the fish bowl with glue and nails, it creates a place for the pull to slide in and out to allow for candy to fall out.
Cut wood to create the rest of the base. You'll need 4 sides upon which to sit the top that you'd already cut. There won't be a bottom piece. Leaving the bottom open will allow you to add candy.
Use a cup or something else with a rounded edge to create the opening in the front of the candy dispenser, then cut with a jigsaw.
Cut a long piece of 1/4" birch plywood, about 7 inches (or whatever length you want) which will be the lever that will slide in and out to release the candy. Then, about 2" from the top of the front, trace the edge and cut with a jigsaw (TIP: use the power drill for a pilot hole first).
The lever will have a hole (using the hole saw) that, when pulled, will align the holes and allow candy to come out of the upcycled fish bowl. In order to create stopping points (so the lever doesn't come all the way out or be pushed all the way in by accident), however, you have to drill holes with a bit and insert a wooden dowel into the holes.
Once you've created the holes and lever, add candy and test it out to be sure it works! Make any adjustments necessary.
The inside of the candy dispenser will be constructed with wood that, when the candy is released, will slide down towards the opening. Add wooden sides so that the candy can't go anywhere but out the opening. Super glue and wood glue worked well holding it together.
Choose whatever paint and decorations for your candy dispenser! I chose a chalky black paint with white detailing, with red. Ths is also what the inside looks like when looking at it from above. Notice how the wood slants towards the opening so that the candy only have one place to go when released.
I added some vinyl that was cut with my Silhouette Cameo cutting machine. I added a spooky face to the fish bowl with vinyl, as well.
Now you've got an amazing DIY candy dispenser! The vinyl can be easily peeled off, so after Halloween, you can remove the vinyl and add other candy.
Just have fun with it! Test it out and make sure it works, and then let your family enjoy pulling the lever for treats this Halloween season!
