This Uncle Sam chip can craft for kids is a quick and easy Fourth of July craft.
Upcycle an empty potato chip can with common craft supplies to create a cute decoration in about 20 minutes.
When it’s finished, you can place it on a shelf, use it to display red, white, and blue flowers, or as a table centerpiece.
So dig into the snack cabinet, grab the printable patterns, and get crafting with the kids!
You may also enjoy making our coffee filter fireworks craft.
We also have a coffee filter Uncle Sam in our coffee filter crafts book.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and a participant in other affiliate programs, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Uncle Sam Potato Chip Can Fourth of July Craft
Are you looking for fun arts and crafts with Pringles cans or any other empty potato chip cans?
This is an adorable project to work on at home as a family to celebrate Independence Day in the US.
I love easy craft projects like this that use supplies I tend to have around the house.
Kids can practice tracing and scissor skills using our Uncle Sam Can pattern. They can also help with cleaning the inside of the empty can and painting the outside.
For this craft project we’ll be hot gluing craft foam to the painted cans. If you need an alternative to using a hot glue gun, I recommend my favorite tacky craft glue.
It will take longer to dry and may not be as durable as hot gluing, but it is an option.
Younger children will need assistance with assembly and older children may use a low temp hot glue gun while supervised at your discretion.

Uncle Sam Chip Craft Supplies:
- UNCLE SAM CHIP CAN PATTERNS PDF FILE 152 (our free printables are available in the free printable resource library – get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this post)
- Recycled Pringles Chip Can
- White Acrylic Craft Paint
- Flesh Tone of Choice Acrylic Craft Paint
- Red, Blue and White Craft Foam
- Googly Eyes
- Silver Glitter Cardstock
- Star Paper Punch
- ¼” Circle Hole Punch
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Pencil or Marker
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks or tacky craft glue
Cleaning The Chip Can
Since it once contained potato chips, you’ll want to clean the can ahead of time. Here’s how to clean the inside of a Pringles can, Stax can, or another chip can.
First, dump remaining crumbs into the garbage. Use a bottle brush with a little bit of soap and water to wash the can sides and bottom. Carefully rinse or wipe out with a damp cloth or paper towel, then dry it.
Since the outside of the can is made of cardboard, you want to be careful not to get it soaking wet.
Kids can help with wiping the can out, especially since their small hands likely fit in the tube better!

How to Make an Uncle Sam Chip Can:
First, prep your chip can. Clean the inside if you haven’t already. Then apply a base coat of white acrylic paint to the outside of the can. Set it aside to dry and apply another coat of paint if needed. Put the lid back on.

Next, download and print out our printable Uncle Sam can patterns. (It is file #152 in our free printable resource library.)
Cut out all of the Uncle Sam Chip Can Patterns. Use the patterns to trace onto red, white, and blue craft foam according to the instructions on the pattern sheet with pencil or marker. Cut out all of the craft foam pieces with scissors.

Attach the red craft foam stripes vertically to the top of the chip can just below the lid with a hot glue gun. (If using tacky craft glue, allow time for glue to dry in between steps.)

Glue the blue craft foam hat band horizontally onto the chip can. Slide the red craft foam hat brim onto the chip can and secure it with glue under the hat band.

Now trace the face pattern onto the chip can with a pencil and paint Uncle Sam’s face with the flesh tone color of your choice. Let dry and apply a second coat as needed.

Use the silver glitter cardstock to punch out (or hand cut) six stars and one circle nose. Attach the stars onto the blue hat band with the glue gun.
Glue the googly eyes, nose, and mustache to his face. (Use our photos as a guide for assembling Uncle Sam’s facial features).

It’s ready to be set out for a 4th of July decoration. You could also cut a slit into the lid to turn him into a bank for the kids.
Get the Uncle Sam Chip Can Printable Patterns
Fill out the form below for free instant access to our printable library if you do not currently have access to it. Printable Uncle Sam Chip Can Patterns is File 152.

More 4th of July Activities:
- Fireworks Salt Painting Craft [Printable Template]
- Red, White, and Blue Felt Wreath
- Patriotic Stars Roll and Cover Dice Game
- Patriotic Pretzel M&M Brownies
- Star Wand Craft

Uncle Sam Chip Can Craft
Make this adorable Uncle Sam chip can craft for a fun Fourth of July craft for kids.
Instructions
- First, prep your chip can. Clean the inside if you haven’t already. Then apply a base coat of white acrylic paint to the outside of the can. Set it aside to dry and apply another coat of paint if needed. Put the lid back on.
- Next, download and print out our printable Uncle Sam can patterns. (It is file #152 in our free printable resource library.)
- Cut out all of the Uncle Sam Chip Can Patterns. Use the patterns to trace onto red, white, and blue craft foam according to the instructions on the pattern sheet with pencil or marker. Cut out all of the craft foam pieces with scissors.
- Attach the red craft foam stripes vertically to the top of the chip can just below the lid with a hot glue gun. (If using tacky craft glue, allow time for glue to dry in between steps.)
- Glue the blue craft foam hat band horizontally onto the chip can. Slide the red craft foam hat brim onto the chip can and secure it with glue under the hat band.
- Now trace the face pattern onto the chip can with a pencil and paint Uncle Sam’s face with the flesh tone color of your choice. Let dry and apply a second coat as needed.
- Use the silver glitter cardstock to punch out (or hand cut) six stars and one circle nose.
- Glue the googly eyes, nose, and mustache to his face. (Use our photos as a guide for assembling Uncle Sam’s facial features).
- Attach the stars onto the blue hat band with the glue gun.
- It’s ready to be set out for a 4th of July decoration. You could also cut a slit into the lid to turn him into a bank for the kids.
Notes
How to clean the inside of a Pringles chip can.
- Dump remaining crumbs into the garbage.
- Use a bottle brush with a little bit of soap and water to wash the can sides and bottom.
- Carefully rinse or wipe out with a damp cloth or paper towel, then dry it.
Since the outside of the can is made of cardboard, you want to be careful not to get it soaking wet.