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Using Milk Crates in your next DIY project? Don’t! It’s Illegal!

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milk-crate-hero

I had no idea either! At home and garden and on our sister site, Craftbits.com, we use milk crates for a variety of projects.

However, if you go by this article in the ModernFarmer, use of milk crates for anything other than carrying milk is illegal and can invite fines up to $300! Or jail time for 90 days.

Holy Cow!

Add to the fact that milk crates are so good as rubbish bins, temporary seats and convenient step ladders and you can see why they are so sought after.

What are your thoughts on this? Have you used milk crates in your DIY projects? Did you know that it was illegal?

Image from the article at ModernFarmer.

 

 

Comments

  1. Actually, I did know this. When I started college (so long ago I don’t want to mention it) we were told that we couldn’t use milk crates in the dorms for this reason. And if we caught, blah blah blah.

    Now, we have a huge after-market of non-milk “milk crates”. Free is always nice, but they are reasonably priced, esp during back-to-school sale time. You might also find them as college kids leave stuff as trash when they move out.

  2. If you are wondering if they are free for the taking ALWAYS ask. My son met a kid that was doing community service at the dumb because he got arrested for taking palettes from behind a store. He thought they were free for the taking. Yikes!

  3. You can still use crates that are designed to look like milk crates or antiques that are no longer in use, but it’s always been illegal to steal them from the grocers.

    I’ve always thought they were fun to use in many ways, I have some that are over 20 yrs old (dating myself lol) but they are decorator bought at Target because people were getting in trouble for stealing them from the back of the grocers. We forget sometimes, just because it’s set out doesn’t mean it’s free for the taking.

  4. I knew it was illegal awhile back but that’s because someone told me. We bought a couple at Wal-Mart – one for the car for milk 😉 and one for my sewing area.

  6. no I didn’t know that using them was illegal… my kids found loads of them in the trash ( so maybe mild delivery people and grocery stores ought to take better care of them?) and used them in college for all sorts of things just like you mentioned. They even used the old metal ones that took glass quart bottles. AND I don’t think any of them had the disclaimer on the side that you photographed!

  7. *Hee hee* The police officer who lives down the street has a crap-TON of ’em in his garage, storing everything from old LP’s to motor parts…I don’t think I have to worry about the handful of ’em I have around the house….

  8. the crates in the photo are clearly marked regarding the consequences of using them other than for their intended purpose by the owners of the milk company. seems to me that if they are not clearly marked or even marked at all then no laws have been broken. unless of course maybe this is a Pennsylvania law. it certainly is not a Mississippi law that I know of.

  9. I have a vintage china rental business and I use new unlabeled milk crates that I buy from The Container Store for $9.99 each to pack and transport my rental dishes. At a wedding recently, I found that one of them was missing as I was repacking the dishes to transport home. It was found in the car trunk of one of the guests. I found it odd that he wouldn’t have realized he was stealing my property, but maybe he’s like everyone else who takes them from the milk companies.

  10. My husband worked in dairies for 18 years so yes I knew that they belong to the dairies and when people walk off with them it costs the dairy a lot of money to replace them. I also know that when a crate is no longer suitable for commercial use the plastic is recycled. Unfortunately the part time clerk at the local convenience store may not know this and they may even help someone load them into the back of their vehicle.

    I also know that wood pallets belong to someone. New ones are not inexpensive and they are reused as many times as possible. Eventually they do break down to a point where they can’t be reused and some owners would be happy to let you have the broken ones. But you have to find and ask the pallet owner.

  11. here in Belgium we got blue crates, from the post office. they’re normally used by companies to collect the mail and take it to the post office… but most of all they’re used to take documentation to fairs or to store all sorts of supplies… that’s illegal as well… I guess they’re just too convenient

  12. Yes, I knew, and yes, I have a dozen or so, and yes, I do feel guilty about it and think about it often. And still use them. I can’t recall where I acquired them–not from behind stores. I’m not quite that crass. I suppose they were discarded by other people who took them from who knows where. Many of the dairies have gone out of business. What would I do with them if I tried to return them? They are very useful around the yard, and in the basement. Cringe (and I live in PA!) Every once in a great while the dairies run a campaign to get people to return them, with limited success. Mine look so shabby, I wouldn’t want milk delivered in them.
    As for pallets, sometimes they’re sold to companies that reuse them, sometimes they’re trashed. My husband works in a warehouse where they consider them a headache. They pile up outside and are used by skate punks at night, who then leave a mess behind. They have to get someone to haul them away periodically. Sometimes he brings some of the nice ones home to me and I put them to good use. They used to donate them to a fall bonfire, but I think they stopped doing that. Not good for the grass, or the air quality.
    Interesting points to ponder. Thanks.

  13. I’ve known it for YEARS, that’s why the only SAFE way to do this is to buy the milk-crate type crates that they have at Wal-Mart, Staples, etc. Then it’s all legit!!!

  14. I was in law enforcement for 26 yrs. Not once did I arrest anyone for illegal milk crates nor do I know of any other officer who did. If it was that big of a deal there would be a Milk Crate Division at the Police Department. Don’t lose any sleep over the milk crates in your garage . Unless your stealing them from behind stores you don’t have anything to worry about.

  15. I have two dogs that love to nap in their crates or under the covers. If you don’t have a secret spot for your pets already, turn a milk crate on its side, lay a soft blanket in the bottom of the crate, and drape another blanket over the top with space for the animal to walk in and out

Have you read?

Handmade Pretend Play Food Ideas For Kids’ Kitchens, Classrooms And Crafty Grandparents

There is something ridiculously sweet about handmade pretend play food. Maybe it is the tiny felt pancakes with pretend syrup, or the little crochet strawberries that somehow make a toy kitchen feel like a five-star café. Whatever it is, pretend play food has that lovely mix of nostalgia, creativity, and practical play value that makes it a winner for parents, teachers, grandparents, and anyone who has ever looked at a pile of felt scraps and thought, “I could make something cute with that.”

I have always loved crafts that do more than just sit on a shelf looking pretty. Felt food, crochet play food, and DIY toy kitchen pieces are the sort of projects that get used again and again. They become part of café games, teddy bear picnics, classroom market stalls, homeschool lessons, pretend restaurants, and rainy-day play corners. And unlike plastic play food, handmade pretend food can be made in exactly the colours, sizes, and styles you want. You can stitch up a healthy salad, a plate of pancakes, a bag of chips, or even a sushi platter without having to explain to anyone why your craft room now looks like a miniature supermarket exploded.

These pretend play food ideas are especially lovely for preschool dramatic play, classroom role-play areas, therapy craft sessions, and handmade gifts for younger children. Many of them are simple enough for confident beginners, and several are perfect stash-busting projects if you have felt sheets, odd yarn balls, embroidery thread, buttons, beads, or batting tucked away in one of those “I’ll use it one day” containers. No judgement here. I have several.

Below you will find a mix of CraftBits pretend food tutorials, CraftGossip play food inspiration, and a few extra handmade food projects from around the web. Think felt food patterns, crochet play food, toy kitchen accessories, pretend café props, and soft handmade pieces that little hands can use over and over again.

Felt And Crochet Pretend Play Food Projects To Make

Felt Food Pretend Play Pancakes – CraftBits
 These felt pancakes are such a classic pretend breakfast idea, complete with butter and syrup details. They are perfect for a play kitchen, classroom breakfast station, or a handmade gift basket for a child who loves cooking games. I especially like that they are soft, simple, and easy to stack, because children do love piling things dramatically onto tiny plates.

Felt Food Pop Tarts – CraftBits
 These felt Pop Tarts are a sweet little project for pretend bakeries, café play, and classroom dramatic play corners. You can make them in pink strawberry, chocolate, blueberry, or birthday cake colours, then add stitched sprinkles for a safer finish with younger children. They are also a great beginner sewing project because the shapes are nice and simple.

Pretend Play Felt Salad – CraftBits
 This felt salad idea is wonderfully open-ended, which makes it perfect for classrooms and homeschool activities. Children can mix lettuce, tomatoes, capsicum, mushrooms, cheese, croutons, and all sorts of pretend toppings while learning about food groups and colours. It is also a clever way to use up small felt scraps that are too good to throw away but too tiny for bigger projects.

Felt Food Bag Of Chips – CraftBits
 This one is a fun addition to a pretend picnic, play shop, or toy lunchbox setup. The little felt chips and Velcro-style bag make it feel interactive, which is always a bonus when you are crafting for children who like opening, closing, sorting, and serving. It is a cheeky little project and would be adorable alongside pretend sandwiches or burgers.

Tea Bag Made Of Felt – CraftBits
 A felt tea bag is such a charming addition to a pretend café, afternoon tea tray, or doll tea party. This is a lovely low-cost project, and you could easily make a whole set with different coloured tags for pretend herbal teas. I can just imagine a child carefully serving tea to a row of dolls while taking the whole thing very seriously.

Strawberry Crochet Pattern – CraftBits
 These crochet strawberries are perfect for pretend fruit baskets, market stall play, or adding to a handmade picnic set. They are small enough to use up leftover yarn and cute enough to become appliques, keychains, or decorations as well. Make a handful in different reds and pinks and suddenly you have a whole punnet of handmade play food.

Sushi Free Crochet Pattern – CraftBits
 Crochet sushi is one of those pretend play food ideas that feels a little unexpected and very fun. It is a great project for children who enjoy restaurant play or pretend takeaway counters, and it adds a nice bit of variety beyond the usual cakes and sandwiches. This would make a brilliant handmade gift for a child with a toy kitchen that already has the basics.

Sew A Felt Food Picnic Set – CraftGossip
 A felt picnic set is such a practical handmade play idea because it can be packed into a basket, taken to the lounge room, or used for pretend outdoor adventures. This CraftGossip feature is perfect for anyone wanting to make a full little set rather than just one food item. It would also be gorgeous as a birthday gift with a small gingham cloth and a few toy plates.

Pretend Play Spaghetti And Meatballs – CraftGossip
 Pretend spaghetti is wonderfully silly in the best possible way. The felt noodles make this project quick, tactile, and very appealing for little chefs who like stirring and serving meals. It is also a great project for using up long strips of yellow felt that might otherwise end up in the scrap bin.

30+ Pizza Crafts And Activities – CraftGossip
 Pizza is always a winner for pretend play because children can build, sort, count, and customise their own toppings. This CraftGossip roundup leans beautifully into pizza-themed crafts and activities, making it handy for classrooms, food units, Italy-themed lessons, or pizza party play. A felt pizza station is one of those projects that children keep coming back to.

16 Free Felt Vegetable Patterns And Sewing Tutorials – The Yellow Birdhouse
 This is a lovely resource if you want to build out the healthy side of a pretend play food collection. Felt vegetables are great for market stalls, toy kitchens, and food sorting games, and they are also a good way to teach children the names and colours of different produce. A basket of handmade veggies always feels wholesome, doesn’t it?

DIY Felt Play Food Burger And Fries – VELCRO Brand
 A felt burger and fries set is perfect for pretend cafés, BBQ play, and restaurant role-play. The separate burger pieces make it especially good for stacking and order-taking games, which children seem to love endlessly. This is a fun one if you want a project that feels playful and familiar.

DIY Felt Play Food – Crafting Cheerfully
 This felt play food collection is full of everyday kitchen staples like fruit, vegetables, and bread. It is the sort of project that could grow slowly over time as you add one or two pieces each weekend. I like projects like this because they do not need to be made all at once; the collection can build as your felt stash allows.

Felt Play Food Tutorials – AppleGreen Cottage
 This roundup-style resource includes several free felt play food ideas, especially fruit and vegetable pieces. It is a handy one for beginners who want approachable handmade toy food without getting too fiddly. These smaller felt food pieces would be lovely in a toy grocery basket or pretend lunchbox.

Play Food Knitting And Crochet Patterns – DROPS Design
 For knitters and crocheters, this play food pattern collection is a treasure trove of soft toy food ideas. You will find fruits, vegetables, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, sushi, and more, which makes it a good stop if you prefer yarn over felt. These projects are also lovely for using up little leftovers from bigger crochet and knitting projects.

Tips For Making Pretend Play Food Last Longer

When making handmade pretend play food for younger children, keep safety in mind. Avoid loose beads, tiny buttons, or glued-on decorations if the pieces will be used by toddlers or in a busy classroom. Stitched details are usually the safest and strongest choice.

Felt is lovely because it does not fray, cuts cleanly, and is forgiving if your stitching is not perfect. Crochet play food is wonderful because it is soft, washable when made carefully, and has that squishy handmade charm children love. Store finished pretend food in baskets, small fabric bags, toy crates, or thrifted trays so children can easily set up their own café, shop, picnic, or kitchen.

Handmade pretend play food is one of those crafts that quietly earns its keep. It encourages imaginative play, fine motor skills, sorting, counting, storytelling, and social play, all while giving us grown-ups a very good excuse to sit with a cup of tea and stitch tiny pancakes. Honestly, there are worse ways to spend an afternoon.