Broken Crayons? Recycle Them!

Can’t bear to throw away broken crayons? Try the following recycling ideas. Children can experiment with techniques, or try their hands at sophisticated projects such as masks, mobiles, stained glass or jewelry.

Off with the paper!
Peel off the paper to reveal what beautiful little curved bits you have! Children might paste these pieces on cardboard rolls, use them as hair on paper-bag puppets or make a colorful woolly sheep collage.

On with the crayons!
Start by experimenting with gliding long, smooth sides, or rough, broken edges across paper. Cut out notches on the crayons for a different effect. Make crayon rubbings with textured objects such as fallen leaves or sandpaper.

Or try doing a “scratch out”: First, children lightly color in a design on a piece of sturdy paper, then cover the design completely with a dark color. Scratch out some of the top layer to reveal what’s underneath.

Melt the pieces!
(The following ideas require careful adult supervision in a well-ventilated area.)
With a plastic knife, pencil sharpener or cheese grater, shave the crayons. Scatter the pieces on white or wax paper, and sandwich them with another piece of wax paper. Iron the piece (use aluminum foil or newsprint to protect surfaces). Remove one sheet of waxed paper to reveal the brilliant colors.
Try melting broken pieces of the same color (or blend colors) in muffin tins placed on an electric food warmer, set on low heat. With cotton swabs, toothbrushes or old paintbrushes, children can paint the warm crayon on paper, sculptured objects, papier-mache or fabric (and then iron it).
Melt old crayons to color the wax for making candles. First, melt the wax and crayons in a warming pot. Have children dip the wicks in the colorful wax-crayon mixture. Children will love to dip the candles again and again as they watch their candle grow. Try different colors for layers.
Or pour melted wax into molds. Tear off the top of a quart-sized milk carton. Pour the crayon-wax mixture into the bottom of the carton. Once the wax has cooled, peel off the milk carton to reveal your candle. Enjoy those bits and pieces!

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