How to: Melted Crayon Art

Save used crayons for craft projects.

Don't throw away broken or almost-used-up crayons; instead, save them to create melted crayon crafts. Children of all ages can create different types of such crafts using different methods. When you need something different for your kids to do, bring out a container of used crayons, a variety of types of paper and candy molds, if you have them. Let the kids choose whether to make their crafts with many different colors or with one color or shades of one color.

Things You'll Need

• Crayon pieces
• Table knife
• Scrap paper
• Rolling pin
• Cardboard
• Waxed paper
• Warm iron
• Scissors
• Clear tape
• String
• Electric skillet
• Aluminum foil
• Construction paper
• Craft sticks
• Candy or craft molds

Instructions

Shaved Crayons

1. Let a child help scrape pieces from the sides of crayons on a piece of scrap paper. Salvage the remaining pieces of crayons, too; place them on a piece of cardboard and cover the cardboard with scrap paper. Have the child roll a rolling pin over the cardboard to smash the pieces of crayons.

2. Cut two identical pieces of waxed paper as large as desired. Have the child place pieces of crayon bits and scrapings on one piece of waxed paper. Place the second piece of waxed paper over the first.

3. Cover the waxed paper with scrap paper. Press over the paper with a warm iron. Peek under the scrap paper to make sure the waxed paper is sealed to the edges all the way around.

4. Let the warm craft project cool. Have child cut one or more design shapes from the paper, such as dinosaurs, hearts, trees or rainbows.

5. Make a loop from string and tape it to the center top of the cutout shape to hang the melted crayon pictures up, or tape them onto a window.

Melted Crayons

1. Line an electric skillet with aluminum foil. Turn the heat to medium.

2. Place large and small crayon pieces onto the foil, with your child's help. Heat the crayons until they are melted.

3. Have the child scoop out some melted crayon with a craft stick and paint a piece of construction paper with the melted crayon. Let the child use several colors of melted crayons to create a painting.

Molded Crayons

1. Have your child help break crayons into small pieces.

2. Help the child fill small candy or craft molds with crayon pieces. Use all one color, or several colors for each crayon.

3. Let the molded crayons set up and cool. Push them out of the molds.

4. Have your child use the newly molded crayons to create a picture.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare crayons for crafts as they are replaced with new ones. Remove all papers and store crayons in one or more containers. Consider separating them by color or even into shades of like colors.

• Don't let young children handle a heated iron. Supervise older children if you let them iron their own crafts.

• Wear protective gloves or potholder mitts when working with melted crayons, hot skillets or toaster ovens.

References

• Crayola: Melted Crayon Oceans
• Kaboose: Melted Crayon Stained Glass