Melted Crayon PicturesBy Whitney Tang
Broken crayons are the bane of every nanny’s existence. They’re difficult to color with, they get lodged in cracks, and they take up unnecessary room in the craft box. Instead of living with these obnoxious nubs, turn them into an afternoon craft which doubles as a bright decoration for your little one’s room.
Supplies
- Canvas/Heavy Cardstock
- Wax Crayons (DON’T use Melissa and Doug crayons — they’re plastic!)
- Iron
- Cookie Cutters (optional)
Directions
1. Start by compiling all the crayons in the home. You’ll want broken crayons, stubby little nubs, and even some colored shavings to mix up the medium.
2. Now let the little ones use the crayon pieces to create pictures on their canvas. Try incorporating shapes and letters to turn this activity into a learning experience. Using cookie cutters to align the crayons can be quite helpful for the younger artists.
3. Have the kids step back as you hold the iron about an inch above the crayon stubs. The time it takes the crayons to melt depends on the heat of the iron and the thickness of the crayon. 4. Once everything is melted to the child’s desire, turn off the iron and place the picture aside for a few minutes while the crayon cools. Take this time to examine its unique texture with the kids and introduce them to abstract painters like Monet, who relies heavily upon the texture of his paintings to create a lifelike image of reality.
Looking for more melted crayon activities? Check out Whitney’s Crayon Splattered Canvas and Colored Rocks for more ways to use up those pesky little crayons!
Reference: I adapted this project I used to do as a child, courtesy of my mother, into a fun project for nannies to do with kids.
Don't forget to be careful. Irons are dangerous.