We all know the lure of a fresh box of Crayolas with those pristine wrappers intact and perfect sharp points lined up in rows. But don’t toss the broken crayons lurking at the bottom of the old box just yet! You won’t believe the incredible crafts you can make from them. (Not into crafting? Learn how to recycle your crayons instead.)
Kitchen Table Classroom
1. Melt broken crayons into new ones
Melting broken crayons down and molding them into new ones is so easy you’ll be surprised you’ve never tried it. Kitchen Table Classroom has directions for this simple process. You’ll need molds (silicone is best) to be used just for making crayons. Here are some of our favorites from Amazon:
Personalized crayons that spell out your name? What kid wouldn’t want these? Use silicone letter molds, like these from Amazon, to create inexpensive gifts for the kids in your life.
These Earth crayons aren’t just cute, they’re also a terrific Earth Day craft! Transform broken crayons into blue and green rounds with this thrifty and Earth-friendly recycling project.
After all, crayons are made of wax! These will smell like crayons when they burn, of course. So if you don’t love that scent, just use a small number of crayon shavings to color traditional candle wax instead.
Can you believe all you need to customize these fillable ornaments is crayon shavings and a hair dryer? You can hang them on a tree, or display them in a sunny window year-round.
We absolutely love this unique take on the painted rock trend! Note that kids might need a little supervision with this one since it involves heating rocks in the oven.
Bet you didn’t know a glue gun could do that! Crayons fit perfectly in the slot for mini glue sticks. Drip a few drops of wax, and press a seal into it if you like. It will make your mail extra special! (Tip: You’ll want to get a cheap glue gun to use just for crayon projects.)
Explore pointillism with this neat project that’s excellent for using up broken crayons. Melt the crayons carefully over a candle flame, or try using a glue gun as described above.
Don’t feel comfortable around open flame? Use the sun instead! Set a piece of wax paper on a metal cookie sheet out in the sunshine. When it heats up, color on the wax paper with crayons to create a masterpiece.
Use your wax paper art to put together a charming little lantern with wood craft sticks. You can also make the wax paper panels in a time-honored way, using crayon shavings and an iron.
Here’s one more version of the classic crayon and wax paper project: luminaries. Use white paper bags for the base, then add broken crayon shavings, top with wax paper, and iron. Punch holes for extra illumination.
Broken crayons are terrific for taking old-fashioned leaf rubbings. Kick this craft up a notch by using a white crayon for the rubbings, then layering watercolors over the top. The wax resists the paint, creating soft muted designs.
Sandpaper printing is such a clever trick, your kids will want to make a whole wardrobe of shirts printed with their designs. Learn how to make the magic happen at the link.
You’ve probably seen these gorgeous melted-crayon canvases before but never got around to making one for yourself. Now’s the time! Grab a hair dryer and melt away.
Use broken crayons to outline a silhouette of just about anything, like this incredible piece featuring Cinderella’s Castle from Disney World. The link has a detailed video to walk you through the process.
Broken crayon mosaics are simply amazing. They take a little time and planning, but the example shown here was a collaborative art project done by kindergartners!
It takes concentration and attention to detail, but talented fingers can make some pretty incredible crayon carvings. Don’t be afraid to give it a try—the only thing you have to lose is broken crayons!
Try something new with your Easter eggs this year: When you take the hot eggs out of the boiling water, quickly dry them off and drizzle crayon shavings over them. They’ll melt into spectacular and unique patterns.
To make cute heart valentines, just find some old crayons and melt them. Next, pour them into a heart-shaped mold and let them set overnight. Make sure to use a silicone-based heart tray so the crayon hearts pop right out! Add them to a personalized valentine card to create the perfect DIY valentine.
Use the same method of melting with a silicon mold, but switch out the heart shape for a puzzle piece shape to create your very own puzzle using found crayons.
To achieve this look, line up a row of green crayons at the bottom of a canvas and use a blow-dryer to melt the crayons upward. For a floral touch, add some picked and pressed flowers to the longer crayon lines to make a beautiful garden scene with grass and flowers.
First, crumble a couple of old crayons using the colors you want in your painting. Then, lay the crayons on a canvas in a circular manner. Use a blow-dryer to melt the crayons directly on the canvas, and watch your impressionist painting appear.
29. Add tape to your painting to make a crayon pattern
To add more dimension to your crayon painting, add clear tape to your canvas in whatever shape or pattern you desire. After you melt the crayons on the canvas, peel the tape to reveal negative space and a fun new pattern on your painting.
A super-fun classroom activity for the restless would be to gather some old crayons and some toy cars and trucks. Use some clear tape to attach the crayons to the trucks, and let your students roll the trucks along a piece of paper or canvas. The canvas will pick up the truck tracks as the crayon moves around, and the students can keep a fun memory of the activity!
