How to Make Crayons at Home

If you’ve got broken crayons lying around the house, don’t throw them away! You can easily upcycle them. Here’s how to make crayons at home.

Kids love coloring with wax crayons, but they often break easily and end up left at the bottom of the pencil case due to their small size. Don’t just throw them away, the broken ones can be melted down again to create new ones. Use different molds for funky shapes and even give them as kids’ gifts at birthday parties. If giving the crayons as presents, use recycled paper to wrap them in.

There are three ways to make crayons: in the microwave, on the stove or in the oven. We’ll explain the first two, as using the oven tends to use a high amount of energy. You only need some basic pieces of equipment, such as silicone molds, spoons and a microwave proof bowl. We recommend using old equipment as it can be difficult to wash them afterward.

Ready to get creative? We’ll show you how to make crayons.

How to Make Crayons on the Stove

Making crayons on the stove is quick and easy. Make sure you have some old kitchen equipment ready, as it can be difficult to wash the pot and spoon afterward.

Equipment:

• Medium pot
• Large, old glass bowl
• Old crayons
• Old wooden spoon
• Silicone molds

Instructions:

1. Soak the old crayons in cold water to remove any paper from the outside.
2. Break them into small pieces and separate them into different colors.
3. Fill the pot about half full of water and bring it to a boil.
4. Place an old glass bowl that is larger than the pot inside, ensuring that it hangs down and does not touch the top of the water.
5. Reduce the heat and allow the water to simmer. Put the crayons in the glass bowl and stir them as they start to melt from the steam. Keep stirring until everything is melted.
6. Carefully remove the glass bowl from the heat and pour the melted wax into silicone molds. Allow to cool.
7. Once the wax is set, remove them from the mold and store.

The Microwave Method

This method is a little simpler and uses less energy than a gas stove. You could even mix the colors to see what they turn into.

Equipment:

• Old crayons
• Microwave-proof container
• Old spoon
• Silicone molds

Instructions:

1. Soak the old crayons in cold water to remove any paper from the outside.
2. Break them into small pieces and separate them into different colors.
3. Place each set of colors in a microwave-proof container.
4. Heat each color separately on high heat for about three minutes, pausing every minute to stir the wax with an old spoon.
5. Carefully remove the container from the microwave and pour the melted wax into silicone molds. Allow to cool.
6. Once the wax is set, remove them from the mold and store.

Read more:

• How to Get Crayon off Walls: 7 Tips
• Are Crayola Markers and Crayons Vegan? Here Are 5 Alternatives
• Is Silicone Better Than Plastic? What You Should Know

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Tags: Crafts DIY Guide How-To's Kids