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