Turn Dollar Tree Toy Blocks & A Frame Into An Entryway Drop Zone With A Genius DIY

Nearly everyone has experienced that universally frustrating moment when you're in a rush to head out the door and realize you've misplaced your keys. From traditional hooks or baskets to stylish wooden key holders that anyone can DIY, we've gotten creative when it comes to keeping track of our belongings and avoiding this mishap. However, one playful and clever hack takes entryway drop zones to the next level, and it's easy to complete using cheap items you'll find at Dollar Tree. 

This project utilizes cheap picture frames and sets of plastic building block toys (similar to Legos) to create a whimsical key holder you can snap your keychain onto directly. For this DIY, you'll need a frame (such as the Special Moments Square Photo Frame), a 100-count bag of Make-It Blocks Plastic Building Blocks, and a set of Make-It Blocks Base Plates. For a more subtle, sophisticated theme, pair the gray base plate with a neutral color frame. However, if you're feeling bold and craving a pop of color in your entryway, Dollar Tree also sells patterned and glittery chrome frames that would pair well with an eye-catching base plate and colorful blocks. To pull off the DIY, you'll need a utility knife, a pair of angled tweezers, scissors, a lighter, and a keychain. Keep a screwdriver or drill handy, along with hardware to mount the frame to the wall once the project is complete, and you're ready to transform these Dollar Tree toys into a creative entryway storage solution.

Start by unfolding the prongs on the back of the picture frame, and remove the back section and the glass from the interior. Line up the Dollar Tree baseplate into a corner of the inside of the frame. The plate will likely be too big to fit in the frame, so you'll have to trim down a couple sides. Use your knife to mark notches where the baseplate needs to be cut to make it a perfect snug fit. Then, trim the ends off the plastic baseplate using heavy-duty scissors until the piece fits snugly inside the frame with the studs facing out (the studs will be visible when you hang it). Replace the back of the frame, and secure the baseplate with the folding prongs. Safely discard or repurpose the interior glass piece of the frame, since you'll need the baseplate's studs to be exposed and accessible. 

To make the keychain attachments that will lock onto the plate, poke a hole through one end of a small building block. You could do this with a soldering iron, or you can heat the tip of your angled tweezers using your lighter so it will melt through the plastic. You'll need one building block per set of keys. Bend the loop on the end of the metal keychain to work it through the hole in the block. Then, bend the loop back into place so the blocks remain securely on the keys. If you prefer to skip this step, consider purchasing a premade Lego keychain in different colors, as Make-It Blocks are generally compatible with Lego. Finally, hang your frame on the wall and fill it with keys to complete this addition to a beautiful entryway design.