How to Make Crayon Hearts From Broken Crayons

Bring a renewed excitement to coloring with these heart-shaped crayons.

Salvage your child's broken crayons that have become worn down nubs and make a set of crayon hearts to replenish her supply of crayons. Or, purchase new crayons in particular colors, such as metallics or pastels, to use just for this project. Use the freshly formed heart shapes to color with, and discover a kaleidoscope of colors that change with each twist of the heart. Give the crayon hearts as inexpensive tokens of appreciation on Valentine's Day.

Things You'll Need

• Wax crayons
• Spray oil
• Candy molds or miniature cupcake pan, heart-shaped and oven safe
• Oil and paper towel (optional)
• Toothpicks (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove the paper wrapper from approximately 2 cups of broken crayons or a package of 24 whole crayons. Break the crayons so they are all in 1/2- to 1-inch pieces, if necessary.

2. Spray with spray oil a heart-shaped candy mold that is ovenproof or a miniature metal cupcake pan that features heart shapes. Replace the spray oil by pouring a small amount of oil onto a paper towel and rubbing all over the inside of the heart shapes.

3. Fill each heart mold with a single layer of broken crayon pieces.

4. Place the filled tray in the oven at 200 degrees. Cook for five minutes. Remove and insert a toothpick in the melting hearts if you want to form a hole for stringing the hearts. Leave the toothpicks standing vertically and return the tray to the oven.

5. Cook for an additional five minutes or until the crayons are melted.

6. Chill the tray in the freezer for 30 minutes or until it is cool enough to touch. Remove any toothpicks used.

7. Flip the tray over on a clean work surface to remove the hearts. Tap the bottom of the tray lightly on the work surface to release any hearts that are stuck to the tray.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are purchasing crayons exclusively for this project, look for the less expensive ones that tend to contain more wax; they melt faster.

• Do not allow children to eat the hearts.

References

• FamilyFun: Crayon Hearts
• Parent Child Education; Color Their World with Crayon Hearts!; January 2011
• Party of 6; Make it Monday -- Crayon Hearts!; February 2011