It is time for Thrifty Kids Thursday. We want to share a really fun recycling craft that we have been doing with the kids since our oldest was two! It is a fun idea when you are looking for what to do with old crayons – how about melting crayons! It is an easy craft for kids.
We make these when we get a good pile of broken, well used crayons. It is called Recycled Cookie Crayons. It is really very simple and the kids will be so completly intrigued by the “magic” happening to their old crayons. This activity is also great for a wide age group. We have a 6, 5, 4, and 1 year old and each of them loves this activity and it is perfect for them.
What you will need:
- old muffin tin
- pile of old, broken, unwrapped crayons (peel remaining paper from crayons)
- paper muffin cups
How to make Recycled Cookie Crayons:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Double line each muffin tin by putting two muffin cups in each slot (you will need the extra protection from the wax)
- Then have the kids fill the muffin tins by 1/3 -2/3 full. Depending on how full you make them will determine the thickness of your cookie crayons.
- Then pop your crayons in the oven for 10 minutes, or until the crayons are melted and liquid.
- Then pull them out of the oven and let them cool until they are solid.
- Once they are cool and solid, have the kids remove the paper muffin cup and “unwrap” their new crayon creation.
- Then get out a big sheet of paper and let them go to town with their new crayons – they will think it is the most fun and amusing thing to do!
A Few Tips:
- We recommend buying and old muffin tin from garage sales or second-hand stores for super cheap to use for this project. Although the muffin cups keep the tin relatively clean, wax could seep through and be quite a mess to clean up. We use this muffin tin for this project, for painting projects (to divide the paint colors), for bead projects (to divide the beads) and so we get a lot of mileage out of this old muffin tin.
- When removing from the oven, try not to tip or move the pan too much as it mixes the liquid and makes a more solid brownish color instead of one crayon with many colors.
- You can store these new crayons in your crayon bucket with the regular crayons so the kids always have some fun crayons to use.
Felicia M Reeves
has anyone tried this with silicone pans? I have heart shaped and star shaped ones I use for soap making. Could make fun shaped crayons but I wouldn’t want to ruin the pans.
thriftycas
We have often have wondered that ourselves! It sounds like a great idea, but we don’t own any silicone pans to even try it. If someone is able to pick one up cheap at a second hand store, it is worth a shot. Maybe next time we go to the secondhand store, we will look for one and try it! Let us know if anyone has tried it and share your thoughts!
Crayon shapes would be so cool!
Jennifer
I’ve used the silicone pans for this before, and it worked just fine. The silicone is pliable enough to remove any wax that may get stuck to it. You just have to make sure to wash it well after (obviously).
Melissa
I know I have seen Lego figure crayons on ebay and I believe I read that they were made with the silicone Lego ice trays! I would think it would be fine as long as you were not using for food afterward 🙂 and as long as it falls within the heat req.
frances
what a GREAT idea for all those broken crayon pieces! I won’t be throwing them away anymore! thanks!
thriftycas
It is super fun too! Enjoy!