How to Make Holiday Crayons

Children love to color. Instead of giving a favorite child and budding artist a box of ordinary crayons for Christmas or their birthday, you can melt the crayons and using holiday candy molds or soap molds, you can create crayons in fun and whimsical shapes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Old or new crayons with the paper removed, assorted colors.
• Small jars to melt the crayons in (baby food jars work great!).
• Plastic candy or soap molds (clean and dust free).
• A shallow electric skillet (or large shallow pot of simmering water).
• Water

1. Remove all the paper from the crayons.

2. Place the small jars in the electric skillet and fill the skillet with enough water to go half way up the jar. DO NOT get water in the jars. Bring the water up to boiling and turn the temperature down to a low simmer.

3. Break the crayons into smaller pieces and place the broken pieces into the jars sitting in the simmering water.

4. Let the crayons melt in the jars and then using tongs or pot holders, lift the jar from the simmering water. Pour the crayon wax into the mold and let sit until cool. Make sure no water drips into the mold. (Stir with wooden chop stick or tooth picks if necessary.)

5. When the mold and wax is completely cool, remove the new crayons and store in a festive box or decorative tin.

Tips & Warnings

• These crayons make great gift for the young artist. You can use Easter candy molds, soap molds and Halloween candy molds from the craft store.
• I have found the candy molds for lollipops work best as the designs are usually shapes that match the season and if you fill the tray right, the wax fills a bit of where the lollipops stick would go, leaving a point to color with.
• To mix the colors in the mold, like to make a yellow and orange chick, pour one color of wax in the mold and let it cool just a bit. Then fill the mold the rest of the way with the second color. If you have experience filling the candy molds with different colors of candy, this works the same way.
• If you don't have a skillet or you don't want to mess with boiling water, it may be possible to melt the crayon wax in a microwave oven. Use the same technique as melting chocolate; handle the jars carefully as they will get hot. (I have not melted wax in a microwave, only mints and chocolate for candies.)
• The water and the skillet will be hot. If you are doing this activity with children, make sure only the adult handles the hot jars.
• The crayon wax may be hot and if it falls on your skin, it may burn. As with all cooking or baking activities, use caution and safety.

[dnatureluvr]

on 9/9/2009 5* great ideas

[goldiec]

on 9/9/2009 Kristie, this is an awesome idea! I'm going to try it! I've got lots of little ones and they will love it! Making Holiday Crayons is one of the best craft ideas I can think of! Thanks 5*

[Lilfix]

on 3/1/2009 Great tips on making holiday crayons...I love this idea...and how simple...I can't wait to share it with my residents! Thanks for sharing....RRRC5*