How to Make Recycled Crayons With Kids

Recycle worn-out crayons into new, larger crayons.

Recycled crayons are made from pieces of small crayons melted together. These large crayons are easier for small children to hold and do not break as easily. Recycling crayons is also a good way to get more life out of pieces of crayons that are too small to hold comfortably. Melting different colors of crayons together is also an interesting exercise in color theory for older children. Kids will enjoy helping you prepare crayons for melting and choosing which colors to include in each crayon.

Things You'll Need

• Crayons
• Waxed paper cups or a tinfoil-lined muffin pan
• Baking sheet

Instructions

1. Prepare the crayons for melting by removing all paper and breaking the crayons into pieces about 1/4 inch in length.

2. Place crayon pieces into paper cups or the cups of a nonstick muffin pan. Use the equivalent of approximately three crayons for each cup. Put pieces of the same or similar colors together if you want single-color crayons, or mix colors within each cup for multicolor crayons.

3. Put the cups on a baking sheet and place in a 150-200 degree F oven. Leave the crayons in the oven until lightly melted --- about for 5 to 10 minutes --- for distinct colors or until completely melted --- about 15 to 20 minutes --- for more gradual color changes.

4. Remove the crayons from the oven and let them cool for at least one hour.

5. Peel the paper cups or tinfoil away from the crayons. They are now ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Use shaped muffin pans or tinfoil-lined cookie cutters to create crayons in interesting shapes.

• Do not allow young children to remove hot crayons from the oven.

• Use appropriate caution when working with hot wax and hot baking equipment.

• Crayons may discolor unlined nonstick pans.

References

• Baby Center: Recycled Earth Crayons
• Planet Green: Make Your Own Recycled Crayons