A piggy bank is a container you build or repurpose to hold coins and bills, and the simplest ones take less than an hour to make
You do not need to buy a piggy bank. A piggy bank is just a container with a slot for money to go in and a way to get it back out. You can make one from a jar, a plastic bottle, a cardboard box, or almost any container you have at home. The only real requirements are that it holds money without falling apart, has an opening small enough that coins do not spill out accidentally, and lets you retrieve the money when you want to spend or deposit it.
The easiest route is to use something that already exists — a mason jar with a coin slot cut into the lid, or a plastic bottle with a slit in the side. If you want something more durable or decorative, you can build a simple wooden box or decorate a container to make it feel like a real savings tool. The time and materials depend on which method you choose, but none of them require special skills or expensive supplies.
Key Takeaways
- A jar with a slotted lid is the fastest piggy bank to make and requires only a jar, a lid, and a way to cut a narrow opening.
- A plastic bottle with a slit cut into the side works just as well and takes about ten minutes to complete.
- Wooden boxes or decorated containers take longer but last longer and look more intentional as a savings tool.
- The slot should be narrow enough that coins do not fall out when you tilt or shake the container, but wide enough that you can insert coins by hand.
- Plan how you will open the container to remove money — a removable bottom, a hinged door, or a cork stopper — before you seal it shut.
The jar-and-lid method: fastest and most durable
Take a mason jar or any glass jar with a screw-on lid. Using a drill with a metal bit or a rotary tool, cut a slot into the lid about one-quarter inch wide and one and one-half inches long. This opening is wide enough for a coin to pass through but narrow enough that coins will not tumble out if you tip the jar. If you do not have a drill, a hacksaw or a rotary cutter can cut the same slot, though it takes more time and care.
Sand the edges of the slot smooth so coins do not get stuck and your fingers do not catch when you insert money. Screw the lid back onto the jar. The jar itself stays intact, so you can see how much money is inside and the glass will not crack or wear out. When you want to remove the money, unscrew the lid and pour the coins out, or use a coin slot opener (a small tool that widens the slot temporarily) if you want to keep the lid sealed.
The plastic bottle method: no tools required
Take a clean plastic bottle — a two-liter soda bottle, a milk jug, or a water bottle all work. Using a utility knife or a sharp pair of scissors, cut a horizontal slit about one-quarter inch tall and one and one-half inches wide into the side of the bottle, roughly one-third of the way down from the top. Make the cut smooth and even so coins slide in without jamming.
If you want the piggy bank to look more finished, wrap the bottle in colored paper, paint it, or cover it with stickers. To remove the money, either cut a larger opening at the bottom and tape a flap over it, or cut the bottle in half and tape it back together with duct tape or packing tape that you can peel open later. Plastic bottles are lightweight and nearly indestructible, but they can become brittle over time if they sit in direct sunlight.
The decorated container method: more intentional and longer-lasting
Use any sturdy container — a tin can, a wooden box, a ceramic pot, or a plastic storage container. If you are using a tin can, file the top edge smooth after opening it. Drill or cut a coin slot into the lid or the side, following the same dimensions as the jar method: one-quarter inch wide and one and one-half inches long.
Decorate the outside however you want — paint it, wrap it in fabric, glue on decorative paper, or leave it plain. The decoration serves two purposes: it makes the piggy bank look intentional rather than like a repurposed container, and it can hide the seams or rough edges where you cut the slot. For the opening mechanism, you can drill a small hole in the bottom and insert a cork or wooden dowel that you can pull out to empty the bank, or you can leave one side unsealed so you can open it like a door.
Choosing how to open your piggy bank
Before you seal your piggy bank shut, decide how you will get the money back out. The method you choose affects how easy it is to use and how often you will actually empty it. If you plan to save for a long time before spending, a sealed container with a removable bottom or a cork stopper works well. If you want to add money frequently and check your progress, a jar with a screw-on lid is more practical because you can open it in seconds.
A removable bottom is the most durable option for a wooden or plastic container: drill a hole about one inch in diameter in the center of the bottom, and insert a cork or wooden dowel that fits snugly. Wrap the cork in a plastic bag so coins do not get stuck on it. A hinged door cut into one side of a wooden box lets you open and close it like a real bank, though it requires more carpentry skill. A simple tape-sealed flap on a plastic bottle is the easiest temporary solution if you are not sure how often you will need to open it.
Making the slot the right size
The slot is the most important part of a piggy bank because it determines what coins you can insert and how secure your money is. A slot that is too wide will let coins fall out when you move the bank around. A slot that is too narrow will jam coins or make it frustrating to deposit money.
The standard size is one-quarter inch wide and one and one-half inches long, which accommodates a quarter (the largest U.S. coin) and prevents coins from falling out sideways. If you want to accept bills as well as coins, make the slot one-half inch tall so you can fold a bill and slide it through. Test the slot with an actual coin before you finish the piggy bank — if a coin gets stuck, widen the slot slightly or sand the edges smoother. If coins fall out too easily, narrow the slot or angle it slightly downward so gravity works against coins falling out.
Decorating your piggy bank so it feels real
A piggy bank that looks intentional is more likely to get used than one that looks like a repurposed container. Paint it a solid color, add a pattern, or cover it with decorative paper. If you are using a jar, you can paint the outside with acrylic paint or wrap it in colored tape. If you are using a wooden box or tin can, paint it or cover it with fabric or wallpaper.
You can also add a label that says "Savings" or "Emergency Fund" or whatever the money is for. A label makes the piggy bank feel like a real financial tool rather than a craft project, and it reminds you why you are saving. If you are making a piggy bank for a child, let them decorate it themselves — the more personal it is, the more likely they will want to use it and watch their savings grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size container should I use?
A container that holds at least one liter is large enough to be useful without being so big that it takes forever to fill. A mason jar, a two-liter bottle, or a small wooden box all work well. If you are saving coins only, a smaller container is fine. If you plan to add bills, use something at least six inches tall so you have room to fold and insert paper money.
Can I use a container that already has a hole in it?
Yes. If you have a jar with a hole in the lid or a container with a crack, you can still use it as a piggy bank. Just make sure the hole is in the right place — ideally on the top or side where you can insert coins, not on the bottom where money would fall out. You can seal unwanted holes with epoxy or waterproof tape.
How do I keep coins from getting stuck in the slot?
Sand the edges of the slot smooth so there are no rough spots that catch coins. Angle the slot slightly downward so gravity helps coins slide through. If coins still jam, widen the slot by one-sixteenth of an inch and test again. You can also insert a coin guide — a small tube or funnel inside the container that directs coins to the bottom.
What if I want to make a piggy bank that looks like an actual pig?
You can shape a wooden box or use a ceramic pot and add ears, a snout, and a tail made from wood, clay, or other materials. The coin slot goes in the back or the side. This takes more time and skill, but it is the same basic process: create a container, add a slot, and seal it so money stays inside until you want to remove it.
Can I use a piggy bank to save for a specific goal?
Yes. Label your piggy bank with the goal — "Emergency Fund," "Vacation," "New Bike" — and keep it somewhere visible so you remember what you are saving for. Watching the container fill up is a concrete way to track progress toward a goal, especially for children who are learning about saving money.