How to Make Crayons in Muffin Pans

What do you do with all those broken crayons? Simple: recycle them into chunky crayons. All you need is your oven and a muffin pan to turn your broken crayons into multicolored chunky crayons. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, these chunky crayons are harder to break and easier for little hands to hold and use.

Things You'll Need

• Crayons--preferably broken
• Muffin tin
• Aluminum foil
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Toothpicks (optional)

Instructions

1. Gather up the crayons you want to use. Remove and discard the papers and break the crayons into pieces. The size of pieces depends on the type of muffin pan you're using--if you're using a mini muffin pan, the pieces will need to be smaller. This project works equally well with name brand, generic crayons, or a combination.

2. Line the cups of a muffin pan with aluminum foil. Make sure the foil is smooth. Use a regular muffin pan for large chunky crayons and a mini muffin pan for smaller crayons.

3. Spray the aluminum foil lightly with nonstick cooking spray as this makes it easier to peel the foil away from the finished crayons.

4. Fill the muffin cups with crayon pieces. Be creative. Use different shades of the same color or a few complementary colors in each cup. For a rainbow effect, put lots of different colors in each cup.

5. Bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 8 minutes or until the crayons are completely melted. Check every minute after 5 minutes. The crayons should be melted, but not overheated.

6. Remove the pan from the oven as soon as the crayons are melted. To create a fun effect, use a toothpick to swirl the colors in each cup. Let the crayons cool completely at room temperature or place them in the freezer for 30 minutes.

7. Once the crayons are completely cooled, remove the chunky crayons from the cups by peeling away the foil.

Tips & Warnings

• These chunky crayons make adorable gifts for young children. Gather up an assortment, put in a cellophane gift bag and tie with a ribbon.

References

• Make and Takes