3/31/11

Make Your Own Crayons {Crayon Day}

 Today marks the anniversary of the sale of the first box of Crayola crayons.  The first Crayola crayons came in a box of 8 and sold for 5 cents.  What better way celebrate than by making your own crayons.
 Make Your Own Crayons Supply List: 2 toilet paper rolls, crayons, small paper cups, packing tape, crock-pot
Enlist a helper to peel the paper off your crayons.  We've done this project with many different types of crayons.  Crayola crayons are by far my favorite.  The wax is high quality and melts evenly.
 Divide your crayons by color and place them into the small paper cups.  Put the cups in your crock-pot and set on low for about 1 hour.  Be sure to check your crayons frequently so that you don't burn the wax.  I always use a crock-pot liner when cooking, so I used one for this project as well.
 When your crayons are melted it's time to pour them into your toilet paper rolls.  Cut your rolls in half and use the packing tape to seal off 1 end.  Placed them on a paper plate and pour the wax into the cardboard tubes.  I poured a little wax and then allowed it to set and then poured a second layer.  Caution: the wax will be very, very hot.  Please do not allow young children to pour wax.
 Allow the wax to harden completely and then tear away your toilet paper rolls.
Be sure to check back tomorrow and I'll share how we made crayons in different shapes also using toilet paper rolls.


Book Suggestion: A Day With No Crayons by Elizabeth Rusch follows a little girl named Liza on an accidental artistic adventure that comes about when her mom takes away her crayons.  Little kids will love reading about Liza's antics and discoveries.

1 comment:

Polly @ Pieces by Polly said...

I've wondered how it would work to make a giant crayon by filling up a whole toilet paper tube with melted crayone. Maybe I'll have to try it.