How To Make Candles With Children: A Step-By-Step Guide
Crafts With Crayons And Candles
For those of us with children it isn't an uncommon occurence to be doing spring cleaning (or just a major cleaning in our children's room and find a large amount of crayons. These may be from several or more different bunches given to them by anyone from Grandma to the next door neighbor. Upon finding these crayons we realize that they are in all manner of disrepair. Miscellaneous crayons, broken crayons and dirty from sitting in the bottom of the closet for such a long time could still be used, but here is a better idea.
Making candles!
At times the kids can be a little hard to handle, this is why we can all use a little distraction and at the same time spend some quality time with them making the candles. Whether scented or just simple candles your kids will enjoy the activity and it will keep them occupied for a good time.
Supplies For Candle Making
Most of what you will need you will have in your home. As the wax from the crayons will be used you do not need to purchase wax. If you are going to make scented candles you will want to purchase scented oil to give the desired smell. Below is what you will need to get started:
- All of the old crayons.
- A large pot or boiler with water in it.
- A large tin can.
- Scented oil if you wish to make scented candles, this is not required.
- Pop sickle sticks.
- Wick string.
How To Make A Wax Candle
Once you have everything your going to use assembled you may begin.
- Put your pot on the stove, fill it with water and allow it to begin heating slowly while you deal with the crayons and prepare to create the candles.
- You need to remove as much dirt, labels and parts of labels from the crayons before you begin. Involve your kids even from the beginning, it will make them feel like they really contributed to the experience.
- Take all of the crayons and put them in your large tin can.
- Once the water in the pot is sufficiently heated to near boil you may place the large tin can in the pot making sure the water doesn't reach the top of the can.
- After awhile once the wax of the crayons is melted you may add your scented oil if you have chosen to use a scent. Mix thoroughly once the oil is applied.
- Hand a pop sickle stick with a wick string hanging from it to each of your children but make sure they realize that if they touch the side of the pot they will get burned. If you choose you may turn off the burner and place a cloth on the edge of the pot. It shouldn't burn on low heat.
- Allow your children to dip their wicks into the hot wax and pull them out each time to allow the layer of wax to dry.
- Allow them to repeat until they have a thick enough candle.
- Sit down with them and examine their candles.
- Praise their efforts!
If you didn't use all of the crayon wax you can keep it until a later time or you can drop a wick down into it and make a very large candle.
