What to do with broken crayons? Our family is a waste not, want not type. More so the waste not because why throw out something that can be repaired or recycled. In our case we have about a gazillion broken crayons due to toddlers and children’s hands and who knows the reason why crayons break, but it happens. Unfortunately though these broken crayons became intertwined with those that are whole creating a crayon nightmare for my OCD. My project became how to reuse or what to do with broken crayons.
So one day I decided to embark on the great crayon rescue and clean up project. My kids have the Crayola crayon maker and to be honest I think it sucks, we used it and I was not impressed. I am glad I did not spend a great deal on it for Christmas one year, so that will be a yard sale item, and I suggest you do the same by not investing in this purchase. I digress. Any how, we sifted and sorted through the thousands of colors and crayons we have, removed the paper wrapping, and tossed into a bowl to break into smaller chunks.
When I saw that the Crayola contraption was lacking in effectiveness I resorted to creativity and ease. Here is how you can make your own cool shaped crayons at home here is all your need:
Non-stick or silicone muffin tin
I have these great silicone muffin tins from Wilton’s that I used for this project and created some really rad looking crayons for my three and a half year old twins and eight year old son that are great for them to grab onto with their little paws, are sturdy, and they are funky shaped and fun.
So I tossed in similar color family colors of crayons into each deposit spot and placed in the oven at about 250 degrees for roughly 20 minutes and watched them melt into the molds. I checked on them to ensure the wax did not bubble or boil as not to break down the way and mix the colors into an oblivion or brown and pure ugliness. Here is the end result and the kids love their new crayons and they are some fun, funky, sturdy crayons that are wonders for their imaginative coloring creations.
Fun! I have a gallon bag of crayons that I should try this with.
Cute idea. I bet the kids are having fun with those. I will have to keep this in mind.
What an economical, environmentally friendly, and downright fun project to do by yourself or with the family! Who says you need fancy things to do stuff like that!? All you need is your imagination and a few household odds and ends, and voila!
Thanks for sharing xD
Love this idea. I tried once and the crayons I used might have been too old or an off brand because the finished product didn’t work as well as I’d have liked. I need to try again. I can see cool party favor ideas with this too!
Jenine, I would love to do some party favors with this….what a treat that would be…maybe some hard candy, those are ingredient I have in my pantry. Now you got the gears moving mama!