Ever counted how many crayon pieces your kids go through in a year? If you’re anything like us, it’s a lot!
Children love to color, but inevitably, crayons break. When this happens, throwing them out feels like such a waste. However, keeping them in a box with all the other crayons doesn’t make much sense either. So, what can you do?
Luckily, fixing broken crayons is easier than you think! With a little time and effort, those useless bits and pieces can be turned into new, colorful crayons.
What are the materials you’ll need to fix old crayons?
There’s a kid-friendly way to recycle your broken crayons into new ones! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Broken crayons
- Knife or scissors (optional)
- Lighter
Additional materials needed for crayon crafts:
- Silicone molds
- Baking sheet
- Heat source (microwave, oven, blow dryer)
Are you ready to get those little hands busy? Keep reading to see how you can turn trash into treasures!
How to fix broken crayons
Making crayons out of broken ones can be done by following this quick tutorial:
Step 1: Gather broken crayons. Peel off the paper wrapped around the crayon and sort by color.
Step 2: Cut the ends of the crayon and try to make it as straight and flat as possible.
Step 3: Fix any jagged edges by using a lighter. Then, join the broken crayons together and hold the flame close to the edge of the crayon, but be careful not to melt it too much.
Step 4: Once the broken crayons have been joined, run under cold water for about 5 seconds. This should allow the crayon to cool and hold its shape.
That’s it! You can now enjoy your crayon once again for coloring and drawing fun.
If you want to get really creative, you can also use silicone molds to make fun shapes out of your recycled crayons.
How to make crafts by melting crayons
Don’t want just another crayon? Aside from creating new crayons out of broken ones, you can also craft some artworks that can be used to decorate your room or give as gifts to friends and family.
This craft can be quickly done by melting crayons and using molders.
Step 1: Cut the crayons into smaller pieces or create crayon shavings so that it’s easier to melt.
Step 2: Melt the crayons. If you want to keep the original color, make sure that you only mix crayons of the same color.
There are several ways how to melt a crayon and you can select any of the below options:
a) How to melt crayons using the microwave: Place the crayon in a microwave-safe container. Heat it in short bursts and stir after each interval until it has fully melted.
b) How to melt crayons using the oven: Preheat oven to 120° Fahrenheit. Place the crayon in an oven-safe container. Bake for 10 minutes or until fully melted.
Note: You can also melt crayons directly from the mold if it is oven-safe. Just place molds on a baking sheet and bake until it fully melts.
c) How to melt crayons using a pan: You can place a saucepan filled with water on the stove over medium heat. Put the broken crayons in a heat-safe bowl and place them in the saucepan. Stir the crayons occasionally until they’re melted.
d) How to melt crayons using a hair dryer: If you don’t have an oven or stove, you can use a hair dryer to melt the crayons. Hold the blow dryer about 6 inches away from the crayon shavings and turn it on to high heat. Move the blow dryer back and forth until the crayons are melted.
Step 3: Pour the melted crayons into silicone molds. You can use any type of mold that you want with different cute shapes such as heart-shaped, star-shaped, alphabet-shaped, etc.
Step 4: Once done, let it cool for a bit. Then place the molds in the freezer for about 15 minutes or until the wax is solidified.
Step 5: Pop out the new crayons from the mold and behold your glorious work!
There you have it! You’ve successfully recycled your old, broken crayons into new ones.
As you can see, it’s easy to create recycled crayons from old ones. Not only is this a great way to reduce waste, but it’s also a fun activity to do with your kids. They’ll love being able to use their new creations!
So next time your child’s crayon breaks, don’t throw it away – fix it or make something from it!
Why should you fix broken crayons?
There are plenty of reasons to fix a broken crayon! Here are some of the benefits you can get from doing this activity with your child:
1. Save money: Crayons are not cheap! By recycling old crayons, you can save money and reduce waste.
2. Be creative: This is a great opportunity to be creative and make new, unique crayons in any shape or color.
3. Bond with your kids: This is a fun activity to do with your kids! They’ll love fixing broken crayons and turning them into something new.
4. Reduce waste: This is a great way to reduce waste and give old crayons a new lease on life.
5. Learn about color theory: This activity is a great opportunity to teach your kids about color theory! They can experiment with different color combinations and learn how colors mix together.
5. Develop fine motor skills: Making crafts with this activity helps to develop fine motor skills as children use their hands to crumble and mold the crayons.
7. It’s fun!: This activity is just plain fun! It’s a great way to spend some quality time with your children and make some new, colorful crayons.
Conclusion
The next time your child’s crayon breaks, don’t throw it away – fix it or make something new from it! This is a great opportunity to be creative, reduce waste, and bond with your children. Plus, it’s just plain fun!
These activities should help you make the most of your broken crayons by using them as decorations or as gifts for kids!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use melted crayon as paint?
Yes, you can use melted crayon as paint! Simply pour the melted crayon into a cup and dip your paintbrush into the wax. You can use it to paint on paper or even on easter eggs! Simply apply the paint to your project as you would with any other type of paint.
Is it safe to use melted crayons as coloring for makeup?
No, it is not safe to use melted crayons as coloring for makeup. Despite some articles saying that you can use these as pigment to make lip balms just by adding coconut oil or some shea butter, we highly discourage using them for this purpose. The pigments in crayons are not meant to be used on lips or any other sensitive areas on your face as they can cause irritation.
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