Making Crayon Blocks With Cupcake Liners

Mixing different crayon colors in the melting process creates a swirled piece of art.

Toddlers love breaking, peeling and stepping on crayons. After time, scattered pieces and frazzled nerves may force you to redirect your child's energy. For a much-needed break, or a rainy-day project, try melting crayons into larger pieces. Crafting crayon blocks from useless crayon fragments provides a fun lesson in recycling. And mixing the colors to create new hues tests your young artist's mind.

Things You'll Need

• Broken crayons
• Muffin tin
• Cupcake liners
• Oven
• Freezer

Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Peel the remaining paper off the crayons, if necessary.

3. Break the crayons into pieces small enough to fit inside the muffin cups.

4. Line each muffin cup with a cupcake liner.

5. Divide the broken crayon pieces into the cups, filling each about halfway. Help your toddler create unique color combinations.

6. Set the pan on the top rack of your oven, for 10 to 15 minutes.

7. Remove the pan when the crayons are fully melted in the cups. Let it cool to room temperature.

8. Transfer the pan to the freezer for 1 hour.

9. Remove the pan from the freezer, and assist your child in peeling off the cupcake liners.

10. Use the new masterpieces as building blocks or coloring tools.

Tips & Warnings

• Some brands of crayons have a plastic coating underneath the paper wrapper. Make sure to remove this entirely before melting.

• Keep your excited child clear of the open oven and hot muffin pan, to avoid burns.

References

• Artists Helping Children: Melted Crayon Crafts for KIds
• Mommy Chic: Craft Recipes for Kids

Resources

• Earthschooling: How to Make Waldorf Block Crayons