We’ve all seen it on Pinterest and wondered what parent has time to melt down crayon bits to create a new crayon. Well, I managed to find the time. Yes, I’m still a bit surprised it happened. And it was easy!
First step was to set aside a jar in my desk drawer where I could stow all the little crayon bits I’d find on the floor or in the bottom of the colouring book box.
My standard of size was anything I couldn’t hold to draw. So, most bits smaller than two inches in length. I peeled off the label paper entirely so only the wax crayon remained. And these were all mixed in origin. Some are Crayola while others were from the discount shop.
Then I placed them all in a paper cupcake liner within a silicone muffin pan. Before adding the crayon bits, I placed a small stone to try to make the new crayon heart-shaped. Spoiler alert: It didn’t really work but having angles does make it more interesting to colour with.
So here are all the bits just piled into the cupcake liner. All the colours together, no sorting or organisation.
I put the cupcake pan in a preheated 275F/135C oven for ten minutes. The result was a rainbow hockey puck. Not much to look at, but durable and portable. I plan to make a few more because the lack of rolling is ideal for traveling in the car or on a plane/train so I’m not chasing down crayons that are wooed by centrifugal force.
When I do it again (UPDATE: I did and it turned out even better!), I will separate the colours so the reds and pinks are in one while the greens and yellows are in another. I think that would be more interesting to use but also muddy the colours less.
And a little before and after for the very satisfying result to really show.
BEFORE
AFTER
And an action shot.
