When I’m not on the road traveling, crafting is what I like to do. With Father’s Day being just around the corner, it’s a fabulous time to show dad how much he means to the family. Next time you go out, stop by Sonic or another fast-food place and grab a drink holder because that’s what you’ll need to make this craft. Follow the below instructions on how to make an Eco-friendly Recycled Father’s Day Gift Box.
Below, a must-see Father’s Day Yard Signs!! Only $20 each.
Recycled Father’s Day Gift Box
Sonic drink holders make the perfect Father’s Day gift box. A simple Eco-friendly DIY craft for you and your kids to make by re-purposing a favorite drink holder. Doesn’t that sound like fun? It was for us. So, I’m bringing this craft back around because this is the perfect time to do crafts at home. If you get out and about (which I’m sure you will), go by Sonic and order drinks. If they don’t give you one, ask for it.
Related: Father’s Day Free Personalized Printable Coloring Sheet(Opens in a new browser tab)
This recycled Sonic drink holder craft turned out so cute! It was easy to make, just a little messy!! All you need is a few supplies, and you can pretty much make it as you want.
Father’s Day Gift Box Instructions
Supplies needed for gift box
- A Sonic drink carrier that holds two to four drinks or another drink holder from somewhere else.
- 2-3 sheets of 12 x 12 decorative paper
- Mod Podge or glue*
- sponge brush
- scissors and a paper cutter if you have one
- shred scissors to make fringe
- Father’s Day stamp
- Decorations, such as ribbon, stickers, washi tape, etc.
- package tape
- wet wipes
- brown paint, paintbrush (optional)
*Mod Podge is messy, but after it dries, it makes projects shiny.
Be sure to use what you have at home. No need to go out and buy supplies.
Directions for Recycled Father’s Day gift box
- Secure the drink holder by taping the sides (inside & out) and the bottom of the holder.
- Determine your color scheme and where you want each color of paper, then measure and cut to fit sections of the holder. I used my paper cutter and scissors.
- Glue each section one at a time. Start with the large side piece and work your way around. VERY IMPORTANT: Lightly spread glue on the box AND back side of the paper, then apply to the box. Rub out bubbles with your fingers, and make sure all sides are glued down and secure. You’ll want to keep your fingers wet with either glue or water when rubbing bubbles out. Then, spread glue over the top of the piece. Spread glue on the box, the backside of the paper piece, and top, then go to the next part.
- Cover and glue the part where the hole is on both sides with a solid color, then after it dries, carefully cut out the hole. It’s easier this way. Then spread glue on top of both pieces.
- Take the same color of solid paper and make a fringe border around the box (in sections), So you’ll have four pieces. Use shred scissors if you have them to make the fringe. If not, use scissors. Glue fringe border onto the box – each section at a time – again, lightly spread glue on the box and back of the border, then apply using your fingers to secure in place. To make the fringe stiff (yet movable), apply glue lightly on the back of it. Once the fringe border is in place, spread glue on top, then move about the fringe pieces where you want them – some out and some down on the box.
- Make a Father’s Day tag from scrap paper of any color.
- I painted the inside of the box brown only b/c I got glue on it. Optional, of course.
- Decorate, decorate, decorate
- Put some shreds inside the box and fill it with gifts for DAD!
Be creative, and have fun!!
I painted the inside of the box just halfway down with brown paint because of the glue stains. See above. I enjoyed making this one-of-a-kind recycled Father’s Day Gift Box so much that I also made one for the 4th of July – check it out.
Gift Ideas for Father’s Day
- Dad’s favorite snacks
- Writing pen
- Photos of him and the kids
- A gift card to a subscription Adventure Box
- Cigar
- Pocket knife
- DIY Spice Jar Father’s Day Gift(Opens in a new browser tab)
- A YARD SIGN

So, next time don’t throw away those Sonic drink holders. Be sure to ask for one every time you order more than one drink. The list is endless on what you can do with these boxes. I’m sure other places give out similar drink holders too.
What can you make with a cardboard drink holder?
- Outdoor barbecue utensil holder
- July 4th Centerpiece
- Supply box
- Thanksgiving centerpiece for kid’s table
- Teacher gift box
- Take on picnics
- Pet Gift Box
- and more!
I hope you liked my DIY Father’s Day Gift Box. Do you have another idea for the use of these drink holders? I’d love to know!
haha it’s so cute!! Thanks for all of the procedures.
Very creative gift idea!! What a great way to upcycle everyday things
What a fun craft. This is great for Father’s Day. My kids would love making something like this.
This is such a fun idea. It is definitely something my kids would like to make too.
What a fun craft….and so creative too!! Have to do this with my kiddos for Father’s Day!
Such a great idea! The gift box looks wonderful and you can add whatever a father would like to receive. Totally personalized!
What a brilliant idea… fun to make, looks great and environmentally friendly too! I need to do more stuff like this!
You just gave me another reason to go to Sonic! Love your idea!
Well, You just gave me another reason why I should do to Sonic! Love your idea!
This is cute and looks so easy to make! We’re working on finding the perfect gift for Father’s Day. This would be great!
I love the whole idea behind this gift box.. its really amazing!
That’s so creative and cute! My kids would enjoy making that.
This is a cute idea. We have a Sonic in my area but I haven’t been in a while – I should check it out.
Such a cute project for the kids to do this Summer to combat lonesomeness and my son and I will make some to take to the elderly neighbors who don’t have family to visit them and put in cute items they can use but might not purchase for themselves.
I love handmade gifts like this one. They really let their recipient know that you put a lot of effort and consideration into planning their gift.
This is so cute! I would have never thought about using sonics drink holders!
what a fun DIY! You can use this for anything really, not just father’s day! Love that!
Very cool. I used to be very into repurposing projects. I’ve altered all kinds of things that most people would throw away.
What a great idea! I like these ideas that are different and unique. This one is going on my list!
Ok I admit I had to google Sonic, I didn’t know what it was. Being a fitness professional I’m not really familiar with fast food lol, there also aren’t any close to us so not something I see. Great idea for repurposing though!!!
I would have never of guessed that the sonic drink holder was handmade. I love the brown fringing and it would make a perfect fathers day gift!
Sometimes it’s the simple things that surprise us. This is such a great upcycle idea to use the drink older for a Father’s Day gift.
I love homemade crafts like this that take something and make it totally into something else. Those drink holders would have just gone to the trash or recycle. This is super creative!
This is such a great and creative idea! I love seeing crafts where people repurpose every day items for other uses.
Omg now this is pretty crafty! I would of neve thought of making something like this out of a holder! Love it!
So simple and so cute! I never would have thought to use the drink holder that way. This is a great budget friendly and fun diy gift box 🙂 This gives me some ideas for my hubby’s first father’s day gift.
This is such a fun idea! My husband would be all over this, and we certainly go to Sonic quite a bit.
This is so creative of you. I love this upcycling and love that it turned out so well. Will try it.
Wow! That’s super clever and I can think of a million uses! Thanks for sharing your idea. Your father’s day gift carrier is darling.
Love cool DIY projects and this one is totally in that category! Who would have known its from a Sonic drink holder? Love how trendy it all looks!
Karen
Awww man! We don’t have a Sonic anywhere near us. That’s to bad – this looks super cute!
Well I apparently have another excuse to go to Sonic now and get a float or shake. This is such a great way to upcycle and is very cute!
What a fun craft idea! Very cute.
This DIY sonic drink holder turned in a father's day gift box is indeed a great idea. I will have to share this with my sisters and it can be a gift box for any occasion. Thanks for sharing this idea.