ReUse ReMake Crayons

We are working on Valentines gifts for my daughters pre-school class. Last week when I was cleaning I found about 100 broken crayons and I decided it was time to remake them into cute gifts. I also asked her teacher if she had any broken crayons she would like to see recycled, she has a huge bucket full.

To complete this project you will need:
Crayons
Aluminum Cans
Wooden sticks or dowel rods
Candy mold or ice cube trays
Large Pan

This project is fairly easy but involves hot wax (melted Crayons) and it takes a bit of time.

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Step 1: Making Melting Pots

I use aluminum cans to melt the crayons in. The first thing I do is cut off the tops. You need enough so that they are packed tightly enough in the pot that they will not fall over, I used 8. The top cuts will be sharp.

liverichandfree says: Oct 8, 2011. 1:55 AM

I think this is a great idea and would make an adorable gift. I've linked to you in my post on the 101 coolest reusable craft ideas. Nice work!

Post is here, if you want to read: http://liverichandfree.blogspot.com/2011/10/101-coolest-reuseable-craft-projects.html

sniffydogs says: Jan 24, 2009. 12:47 PM

I split the wrappers with a razor or Exacto knife. You can also use muffin tins and avoid the mess entirely by putting the broken crayons in the muffin cups in a warm oven preheated to 350 for about 15 minutes, then turn it off. Pouring hot wax is dangerous. The larger cupcakes are great for making rubbings of grave stones, etc.

topazcat in reply to sniffydogsApr 22, 2009. 4:34 AM

I'd be careful using crayons for grave rubbings - many older stones are too fragile for that. Chalk is usually what is recommended. If you want it to be a permanent rubbing, there are spray fixatives on the market so the chalk doesn't smudge.

hammer9876 in reply to topazcatSep 11, 2011. 9:39 AM

Some older grave markers have been loved/rubbed to death. If you did not pay for the grave marker or are not willing to pay to replace it, you shouldn't be doing anything to it other than photograph it.

chuckr44 says: Jul 19, 2011. 6:57 AM

When making candles, I also noticed the crayons from China did not melt. I wonder why. Maybe they are not paraffin but a different type of wax with a higher melting point.

xavec says: Jul 19, 2011. 5:01 AM

love this! Thanks for sharing.

ramhardikar says: Jul 18, 2011. 11:58 PM

Good one..

jsmith125 says: Jul 14, 2011. 6:42 PM

We use silicone ice trays to make crayons in the oven. You can also use mini-muffin pans, but then you don't get heart shapes. I LOVE this project.

javajunkie1976 says: Jun 24, 2011. 4:29 PM

Crayola puts out this little light-bulb powered device that does essentially the same thing. But I like your's better as you can mold into different shapes.

love2die100 says: Mar 25, 2011. 3:46 AM

Great idea,thx4sharing.

evaramos89 says: Mar 8, 2011. 8:40 PM

im like a geiuns today hahahahahhaahhahhaahahahahahahahahhahahhahahahahahah and you to were geinuses

alexandraw99 says: Dec 23, 2010. 3:36 PM

i love this idea this what im giving my 4 yr old sis but i was just wondering did u put the cans in hot water or does it matter

Alinora says: Sep 2, 2010. 4:07 PM

AHHHH! It hurts when the wax falls on your foot T_T. I don't have any candy Molds AT ALL, so I tried Micheals and found some. Expensive, but worth it^^.

vegansweetie says: Nov 4, 2009. 6:01 PM

i love this to death! I'm gunna make some for my newborn neice!

Shane1163 says: Jan 15, 2009. 10:28 AM

I have a crayon recycler the one with the metal tray and the light bulb and u pour it into the mold to make new crayons

firefliie in reply to Shane1163Aug 14, 2009. 8:10 AM

mine didnt work :(

fordman15243 in reply to Shane1163Jun 21, 2009. 3:19 PM

Haha, I remember those! They even had ones that made little wax figurines! Never had one myself, but always thought about making one! =D

reeta says: Jun 1, 2009. 10:44 PM

this is great! thanks for the great idea :)

topazcat says: Apr 22, 2009. 4:36 AM

This is a very cute idea, thank you for posting. If one had small kids (mine are "too big"), these new crayon shapes would be great as goodies in a birthday treat bag.

JamesFXR says: Mar 20, 2009. 5:10 PM

you can use a standard can opener to get the top off a can and it leaves the lip on the can so it isnt sharp

lyraleperformer says: Feb 16, 2009. 5:24 PM

love this! i'm making some right now. but before i ruin a perfectly good candy mould...how would i wash the crayon wax out of the moulds so they are good for candy once again?

SomArtMama (author) in reply to lyraleperformerFeb 20, 2009. 1:27 AM

I have never reused them for candy but the crayon pops right out and mine have no residue in them.

riku-riku-chan says: Jan 12, 2009. 6:46 AM

can i still make candy in the molds after making these (and washing them out, of course!)?

SomArtMama (author) in reply to riku-riku-chanJan 12, 2009. 8:58 AM

I don't really know, crayons are non toxic but I have never used my molds for anything other than crayons.

DrCoolSanta in reply to SomArtMamaJan 27, 2009. 5:16 AM

Also no matter how much you clean, it is likely that some residue is left. It won't be very nice to even try that.

Ward_Nox in reply to SomArtMamaJan 14, 2009. 1:35 PM

Crayons are non toxic and it would give your chocolate a shine

Strawberryholt in reply to Ward_NoxJan 14, 2009. 8:54 PM

only American crayons are guaranteed non toxic. don't trust crayons made in China they have been know to put lead in the ink that is on the papers and if you are melting the crayon with the label on then the lead will leach.

Ward_Nox in reply to StrawberryholtJan 17, 2009. 5:39 PM

sorry i meant crayola

SomArtMama (author) in reply to StrawberryholtJan 15, 2009. 2:17 AM

Yikes!

Strawberryholt in reply to SomArtMamaJan 17, 2009. 10:38 PM

Crayola and Roseart are safe this is why they are the brands preferred by most schools

riku-riku-chan in reply to SomArtMamaJan 13, 2009. 6:48 AM

thanks for the reply... i'm just worried about any waxy residue!...

RidoKilos in reply to riku-riku-chanJan 23, 2009. 11:48 AM

Most chocolate actually has wax in it anyways... Keeps it from melting as fast when it gets warm. American Chocolate probably has the most.

Father Christmas in reply to riku-riku-chanJan 14, 2009. 2:21 PM

well, consider that a good majority of candies(i know of some chocolate dip recipes for pastries and such) are containing a fairly large percentage of wax.

DrCoolSanta in reply to Father ChristmasJan 27, 2009. 5:17 AM

Do you think that wax is something not natural? Crayons could have paraffin.

Father Christmas in reply to DrCoolSantaJan 27, 2009. 12:07 PM

entirely not what i was getting at, but no. crayons are not made with paraffin wax. wax is in itself, digestible, but just because we have the ability to eat something does not mean we should. leaves for example :) the one reason i do not like chocolate is because of its waxy-ness. except +60% dark. no amount of wax could ruin that :)

DrCoolSanta in reply to Father ChristmasJan 28, 2009. 2:43 AM

Same here, I love dark chocolates.

dancingcub says: Jan 21, 2009. 11:20 AM

This is a great project, I have done it in the past with my after school program. I just want to note that not all crayons are made of wax, some are plastic, which could be why you had some that didn't melt. Good instructions!

DrCoolSanta in reply to dancingcubJan 27, 2009. 5:15 AM

You can make out whether they are plastic by scraping them and colouring with them. Also they are oil pastels which are also similar. They would cumbust and expand.

Lance Mt. says: Jan 18, 2009. 8:04 PM

Ok i'd just like to make it clear that, I'm 13 (14 in a month or so) and i'm LOVING this idea, I'm waiting for my tank/rocket/aeroplane/spaceship/ships (withguns and stuff) to set. THANKY YOU!