| If your home is anything like mine, you're | | | | complete. |
| constantly picking crayons up off the floor. | | | | |
| My son colors everyday, sometimes for hours | | | | Get your kids involved with the crayon candle |
| on end. He loves crayons. We're always buying | | | | making fun by letting them remove the crayon |
| more crayons because he either looses them or | | | | wrappers from the crayons while the wax is |
| they've been worn down to nubbins and hard to | | | | melting. Be creative by mixing and matching |
| color with. Well, here's a tip for you on | | | | the crayon colors to create your own pretty |
| what you can do with the worn out crayons | | | | candle. |
| rather than throwing them away. You can | | | | |
| recycle the old crayons by making them into | | | | Most folks find that they get the best |
| candles. You can show your kids how they can | | | | results if they wait and add the crayons to |
| take something old and make it into something | | | | the wax after it's totally melted. Use a pair |
| new and colorful that's useful too. You'll | | | | of scissors and dip the string into the |
| want to burn these darling homemade candles | | | | paraffin. Dipping the string will make sure |
| yourself and give them as gifts as well. | | | | it's coated with paraffin because the ice |
| | | | cubes may make it hard for the wax to stick |
| Use this craft technique as a teaching moment | | | | to the string. Hold the string so that it is |
| with your kids. Before you start making the | | | | in the middle of the carton and fill the |
| candles, talk to your kids about safety. | | | | carton with ice cubes. Pour wax mixture over |
| They'll need to know that the crayons will | | | | the ice cubes. You can even add a touch of |
| have to be melted using a very high heat, and | | | | scent to your crayon candle by adding a |
| they will not be able to do that particular | | | | little cinnamon or vanilla to the hot wax. |
| step in the process. Tell them they will have | | | | |
| other fun steps in making crayon candles. | | | | Once you have poured your candle, make sure |
| | | | your kids know the importance of leaving it |
| Get your supplies together. Along with about | | | | alone to harden. The candle will usually set |
| six crayons, you'll need a wax container of | | | | in about half an hour, but leave it alone for |
| some sort such as an empty milk or orange | | | | a couple of hours and until the ice is |
| juice wax carton, one pound of paraffin wax, | | | | melted. Put the candle in an area that is |
| two full ice cube trays, a double boiler, | | | | safe and where it will not be bothered. Be |
| white packing string. If you're hesitant to | | | | sure the little ones know they could be |
| use your double boiler to melt the crayons | | | | burned if they touch the hot wax before it's |
| and wax, an old coffee can and saucepan works | | | | cooled. The wax can stay hot for hours after |
| great. | | | | pouring and can be a potential hazard to kids |
| | | | and animals. When you're ready, all you have |
| First, trim the top off of the wax carton, | | | | to do then is pour off the melted water and |
| leaving it approximately six inches high. | | | | then peel off the wax carton. |
| Next, cut the string at least 8 inches long | | | | |
| and later cut the wick to fit the holder. | | | | If you're looking for a new and easy craft |
| Braid the three string pieces together to | | | | project to do with your kids or with a small |
| make a wick that burns easier. Melt the | | | | group of kids, then making crayon candles is |
| paraffin wax in the double boiler or coffee | | | | great idea. You can spend a fun afternoon |
| can. To help it melt faster, cut it into | | | | with your children and make a useful candle |
| small chunks. Usually you'll need to allow | | | | for your home or as a gift for grandparents |
| about 20 minutes for the melting process to | | | | and friends. |