The simplest piggy bank is a container with a slot cut into the top
A piggy bank is a container designed to hold coins and small bills as you save. You can buy one, but making one from materials you already have at home costs nothing and takes less than an hour. The basic idea is the same across all versions: a sealed container with a single opening where money goes in, and either a plug at the bottom or a way to open it when you want to count what you've saved.
The easiest route is to use something that already holds things — a jar, a tin, a plastic bottle, a cardboard box — and add a slot. This works because you don't need the container to be fancy or waterproof or even particularly sturdy. You just need it to hold coins without them falling out the sides.
Key Takeaways
- A glass jar with a slot cut or drilled into the lid is the fastest version and requires only a jar, a drill or craft knife, and five minutes.
- A plastic bottle works just as well and is easier to cut, though you'll need to seal the cap or drill a hole through it so money doesn't spill when you move it.
- A cardboard box or paper towel tube requires tape and a craft knife but no tools, making it the best option if you have no drill or saw.
- The slot should be just wide enough for a coin to fit through — roughly the width of a quarter — so bills don't jam and coins don't fall back out.
- You can decorate your piggy bank with paint, markers, or stickers after you've built it, or leave it plain if you prefer.
Making a piggy bank from a glass jar
A glass jar is the most durable option and looks finished without decoration. You'll need a jar with a lid (a mason jar works perfectly), a drill with a small bit, or a glass-cutting tool. If you have neither, a craft knife and steady hands can work, though glass is harder to cut than other materials.
Measure a rectangle on the lid about one inch wide and half an inch tall — large enough for a coin to slide through but not so large that a coin can fall back out. If you're using a drill, use a bit slightly smaller than the width of a quarter and drill a series of holes along the rectangle, then use a file or sandpaper to smooth the edges into a slot shape. If you're using a craft knife, score the rectangle repeatedly until the glass breaks along the line, then file the edges smooth.
Once the slot is finished, screw the lid back onto the jar. Test it with a coin to make sure the coin goes in and doesn't rattle back out. If coins are getting stuck, widen the slot slightly. If they're falling back out, make it narrower.
Making a piggy bank from a plastic bottle
A plastic bottle — soda, water, or juice — is easier to cut than glass and lighter to hold. You'll need the bottle, a craft knife or small saw, and either tape or a hot glue gun to seal seams.
Cut a slot into the side of the bottle about one inch wide and half an inch tall, positioned high enough that coins won't spill out if the bottle tips over. Use a craft knife to make the cut, starting with a small hole and widening it by cutting along the edges. Sand the edges smooth with sandpaper or a nail file so they don't catch on coins.
The cap of the bottle should stay sealed so coins don't fall out when you move it. If you want to empty the piggy bank, either drill a small hole in the bottom and plug it with a cork, or cut a larger opening in the bottom and tape a flap of duct tape over it that you can peel back. Test the bottle by filling it with coins and turning it upside down — nothing should fall out except through the slot you cut.
Making a piggy bank from a cardboard box or tube
If you have no tools at all, a cardboard box or paper towel tube works and requires only a craft knife and tape. A paper towel tube is faster because it's smaller, but a tissue box or small shipping box gives you more room for coins.
For a paper towel tube: Cut a slot into the side about one inch wide and half an inch tall. Seal one end of the tube completely with tape. Leave the other end open but cover it with a piece of duct tape that you can peel back to empty the bank. Test it by putting coins in and turning it upside down.
For a cardboard box: Cut a slot into the top. Seal all the seams with tape so the box is airtight and coins can't fall out the sides. Cut a larger opening on one side or the bottom and cover it with duct tape that peels back for emptying. Reinforce the corners with extra tape because cardboard weakens as you handle it.
Decorating your piggy bank
Once the structure is solid and the slot works, you can decorate it or leave it plain. Paint works on glass, plastic, and cardboard — use acrylic paint and let it dry completely before putting coins in. Markers work on cardboard and plastic. Stickers work on anything. Wrapping paper taped around a jar or bottle gives it a finished look without paint.
If you're decorating a glass jar, paint the outside rather than the inside so the paint doesn't chip into your coins. Let paint dry for at least two hours before using the bank. If you're using a plastic bottle, avoid paint that dissolves plastic — acrylic is safe, but some spray paints will eat through plastic.
Choosing which version to make
Pick based on what you have and how long you want the bank to last. A glass jar lasts years and looks polished. A plastic bottle is lighter and easier to cut but will crack if you drop it. A cardboard box is fastest to make but will eventually soften from handling and humidity.
If you're making this for a child, a plastic bottle is safest because it won't break if dropped. If you're making it for yourself and plan to keep it on a shelf, a glass jar is the best choice. If you want to make one right now with no shopping, a cardboard box or paper towel tube will work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a piggy bank that looks like an actual pig?
Yes, but it's more work. You can paint a jar or bottle to look like a pig, or build a pig shape from papier-mâché over a balloon or cardboard frame. The slot still goes in the same place — usually the back or the top. Start with a basic container first, then add the pig details once you're comfortable with the slot-cutting part.
What if the slot is too small and coins get stuck?
Widen it gradually. For glass, use sandpaper or a file to smooth the edges and make the opening slightly larger. For plastic or cardboard, use a craft knife to cut a bit more off each edge. Test with different coins — a dime is smaller than a quarter, so if you want to accept both, make the slot at least as wide as a quarter.
How do I empty the piggy bank without breaking it?
If you sealed it completely, you need an opening. The easiest way is to drill or cut a hole in the bottom and plug it with a cork, a wooden dowel, or a piece of foam that you can pull out. Alternatively, cut a flap in the bottom and cover it with duct tape that peels back. Test this before you fill it with coins.
Is there a way to make it so only certain coins go in?
You can make the slot smaller so only dimes fit, or larger so quarters fit but not pennies. The slot size controls what goes in. If you want to accept all coins, make the slot as wide as a quarter and tall enough that coins don't jam. Coins will naturally fall through if the opening is the right size.