If you have kids, you probably know how quickly crayons can end up broken, peeled, or too small to hold. Instead of tossing them, we keep a jar in our house where all the little pieces go. Once the jar is full, it’s time for one of our favorite rainy-day or weekend activities: melting them into brand-new crayons in fun shapes!
This simple project gives broken crayons new life, sparks creativity, and can even be a fun way to get kids excited about the first weeks of school—or help them talk about how their first few days are going. Plus, kids love the surprise of popping crayons out of molds and seeing the swirly rainbow results.
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What You’ll Need
- Jar or container Link– to collect broken crayons over time
- Fun-shaped silicone molds Link– stars, animals, or even alphabet letters make it extra fun
- Cookie sheet Link– to place molds on while baking
- Tray or cooling area Link – for letting your new crayons set before using
- Parchment Paper Sheet Link – to line the trays
Instructions
- Gather the crayons. Collect all the broken crayons from your container. Remove any leftover paper wrappers (a warm soak in water can help loosen them if needed).
- Preheat the oven. Set it to 250°F (120°C).
- Break into small pieces. Snap crayons into smaller chunks if needed. The smaller the pieces, the quicker they’ll melt and the more color-blending you’ll get.
- Fill the molds. Place the crayon pieces into the silicone molds. You can group similar colors together for solid crayons or mix and match for rainbow swirls.
- Bake. Place the silicone molds on a cookie sheet (to keep them steady) and put them in the oven for 10–15 minutes, or until the crayons are fully melted.
- Cool. Carefully remove the cookie sheet and let the molds cool on a tray or counter. You can even pop them in the fridge to speed up the process.
- Pop out and enjoy! Once completely cool, gently press the crayons out of the molds. They’re ready to use, gift, or pack in a school supply box!
Why We Love This Activity
- Eco-friendly: It gives broken crayons a second life instead of throwing them away.
- Creative: Kids get to design their own colors and shapes.
- Perfect timing: Great for weekends, rainy days, or those first weeks of school when kids need a little fun to ease the transition.
Pro tip: These make sweet little back-to-school gifts for classmates or teachers too!