If you’re like me, you’re always picking up broken crayons. My son colors everyday, sometimes for hours on end. Obviously he loves crayons. We’re always buying more crayons because he either loses them or they’ve been worn down to nubbins and hard to color with. Here’s a good idea for what to do with the old crayons instead of throwing them out. You can actually recycle the broken crayons and make them into candles. Show your kids how to use something old to create something entirely new and useful. You can actually burn the homemade candles or give them away to friends and family.
This craft project is a wonderful teaching moment with your children. Before you begin to make candles at home, talk to your kids about safety. They will need to understand that the crayons will be melted over a strong heat, and they will not be able to do that particular step in the process. Tell them they will have other fun steps in making crayon candles.
Get your supplies together. Along with about six crayons, you’ll need a wax container of some sort such as an empty milk or orange juice wax carton, one pound of paraffin wax, two full ice cube trays, a double boiler, white packing string.
Step one is to cut off the top of the milk carton and leave about six inches of carton to work with. Melt the paraffin wax in the double boiler or coffee can. To help it melt faster, cut it into small chunks. Usually you’ll need to allow about 20 minutes for the melting process to complete.
Give your kids something to keep them busy while the wax is melting by having them take off the crayon wrappers from the broken crayons. Be creative by mixing and matching the crayon colors to create your own pretty candle.
Most folks find that they get the best results if they wait and add the crayons to the wax after it’s totally melted. Use a pair of scissors and dip the string into the paraffin. Dipping the string will make sure it’s coated with paraffin because the ice cubes may make it hard for the wax to stick to the string. Hold the string so that it is positioned in the center of the milk carton and then fill the carton with ice. Pour wax mixture over the ice cubes. You can even add a touch of scent to your crayon candle by adding a little cinnamon or vanilla to the hot wax.
Once you have poured your candle, make sure your kids know the importance of leaving it alone to harden. The candle will usually set in about half an hour, but leave it alone for a couple of hours and until the ice is melted. Put the candle in an area that is safe and where it will not be bothered. Be sure the little ones know they could be burned if they touch the hot wax before it’s cooled. The wax can stay hot for hours after pouring and can be a potential hazard to kids and animals. When you’re ready, all you have to do then is pour off the melted water and then peel off the wax carton.
If you’re looking for a new and easy craft project to do with your kids or with a small group of kids, then making crayon candles is great idea. Enjoy an afternoon with your children learning to make candles at home to use or give away as gifts for family and friends.
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