Crayon candles are an excellent way to recycle old or broken crayons, transforming them into colorful and vibrant candles. In addition to being a fun and creative project, crayon candles can also make for thoughtful gifts or unique home decorations. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to create your own DIY crayon candles.

Materials Needed:

– Old or broken crayons

– Candle wax (soy, paraffin, or beeswax)

– Candle wicks

– Glass containers or candle molds for shaping the candles

– A double boiler or DIY alternative for melting wax and crayons

– A kitchen scale (optional, used for measuring wax)

– A thermometer (optional, for monitoring temperature)

Step 1: Gather Your Crayons

Find all your old or broken crayons that you would like to use for your project. Peel off the paper wrapping and sort the crayons by color. By doing so, you can create single-color candles or combine colors to create unique shades.

Step 2: Prepare the Wax

Use a kitchen scale to determine how much candle wax you will need – usually about 1 pound of wax per 16-ounce container. Cut the wax into small pieces to speed up the melting process. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, simply fill your container with wax pieces to estimate the needed amount.

Step 3: Melt the Wax

Place your double boiler on the stovetop or create a DIY alternative by placing a heat-safe metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Add the chopped-up candle wax to the top part of the double boiler and allow it to melt slowly over medium heat.

Step 4: Monitoring Melting Temperatures (Optional)

Using a thermometer, ensure that soy wax reaches 160°F and paraffin wax reaches 185°F in the melting process. If you’re using beeswax, it should reach around 145°F.

Step 5: Prepare Your Containers

While the wax melts, prepare your glass containers or candle molds by attaching the wick. You can use a small dab of hot glue to hold the wick in place at the bottom of the container. Ensure that the wick is centered and straight.

Step 6: Add Crayons to Melted Wax

Once your wax reaches the correct temperature, add the crayons of your desired color. Stir continuously until they are fully melted and incorporated into the wax, creating a smooth, colored mixture.

Step 7: Pour Candles

Slowly pour your colored wax mixture into your prepared glass containers or candle molds, being careful not to dislodge the wick. Make sure you leave about half an inch of space at the top of the container.

Step 8: Secure the Wick

Use a pencil or chopstick to secure the wick in place while your candle cools and hardens. Simply wrap the excess wick around a pencil or chopstick and rest it on top of your container so that it remains straight and centered.

Step 9: Allow Your Candles to Cool

Allow your candles to cool undisturbed for at least 24 hours (or longer if required). Once they are fully cooled and hardened, trim your wick to about half an inch above the candle’s surface.

And there you have it! You’ve successfully made beautiful and unique crayon candles! These homemade treasures can be given as gifts, displayed around your home, or even sold at craft fairs. Enjoy this creative and sustainable DIY project that turns old crayons into vibrant homemade candles.