Introduction

Crayons are a staple in every child’s arts and crafts box, but inevitably, some of them end up broken or worn down. Instead of throwing these broken crayons away, consider giving them a second life by repurposing them in creative ways. This not only saves money but also helps in reducing waste. In this article, we will discuss four inventive ways to reuse broken crayons.

1. Create New Crayons

One of the easiest and most popular ways to reuse broken crayons is by melting them down and creating new, colorful crayons. You can do this by peeling off the paper wrappers and breaking the crayons into small pieces. Then, fill a muffin tray or silicon mold with the crayon pieces and bake them at a low heat until they’re completely melted. Allow the melted wax to cool and harden, then pop out your new, custom crayons!

2. Make Homemade Candles

Another bright idea to put broken crayons to good use is by making your own candles. Start by cutting or peeling off the paper wrapper from the crayon pieces. Using a double boiler or microwave in short intervals, melt wax flakes or old unscented candles along with your choice of broken crayon colors for a colorful touch. Prepare your candle mold or container by attaching a wick in the center using a bit of melted wax. Finally, pour the melted wax-crayon mixture into the mold and let it harden completely before trimming the wick.

3. Create Wax Art on Canvas

For a more artistic approach, you can use broken crayons to create wax art on canvas. First, arrange your choice of crayon pieces on a blank canvas in any design you like – placing them vertically side-by-side works best for this project. Attach the crayon pieces to the canvas by gluing them down or using double-sided tape. Place the canvas flat on a protective surface, then use a hairdryer to melt the crayons so that the wax runs and spreads across the canvas in a beautiful abstract pattern. Let the wax cool and harden before displaying your masterpiece.

4. DIY Crayon Lip Balm

Did you know you can reuse broken crayons to make fun, colorful lip balms? First, select non-toxic, high-quality crayons, and break them into small pieces. In a double boiler, combine equal parts coconut oil and beeswax. Stir in your choice of crayon color until fully melted and combined. Remove from heat and mix in a few drops of your favorite essential oil for added fragrance. Pour the mixture into small containers or empty lip balm tubes, let it cool down and harden, then apply as desired.

Conclusion

No matter how many broken crayons you have lying around, there’s always a way to give them a new lease on life through creative repurposing projects. So next time you’re about to toss out those bits of old crayons, remember these four ideas for turning them into something useful and beautiful!