Here is a post that I have been meaning to share for AAAAGES, part of the recent “Gifts That Kids Can Make” series of ideas: Broken Crayon Rocks. These are the perfect Father’s Day Craft. It is also the best way to use up broken crayons and to avoid them going into landfill!
Crayon Rocks make excellent paper weights and are a lovely gift to any family friend of relative. As you can see we have made several. Not only do they make a great gift, but hey are an excellent way to “recycle” those odd bits and pieces of crayons you ay have lying around the house and they are a fascinating craft for kids to make. Who doesn’t like melting things and seeing what will happen?
These are featured in my book Red Ted Art, Cute and Easy Craft for kids. Available from independent retailers and Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. The book is packed with 60 trial and tested crafty ideas for kids of all ages. It would make an EXCELLENT alternative Christmas gift this season…. Get your copy now!
On to the craft!
Gifts That Kids Can Make: Crayon Rocks
Materials: large smooth stone, old crayons in assorted colours with the paper removed, an oven, oven gloves, newspaper, heat proof surface
Note: Adult supervision may be required when handling hot items from an oven.
How to make rock paper weights!
Do watch the video on auto play or follow the written instructions below!
1) Place the stones in the oven and heat to 100C (or set it on ‘medium’). Bake for 15-20minutes. The stones need to be hot. Do not make them too hot or you risk the rock exploding (this has NEVER happened to me or anyone I know.. but I have been warned “just in case” !)
2) Prepare your work surface. Place several layers of newspaper on top of a heat proof surface such as a wooden chopping board. You will find that the wax melts right through the paper, so make sure you use lots of layers, and do not use your best wooden chopping board!
3) With the oven gloves, remove one hot stone at a time from the oven and place it on your work surface.
4) Take your crayon and gently rest it on your stone and move it across a little – letting the crayon melt and pour down the sides.
5) Repeat with the next colour etc. The colours will mix and mingle beautifully.
6) We made two stones in rainbow colour and used the colours in this order: red, orange, yellow, light green, green, blue, purple, pink. The second stone we reversed the colour order! The final paper weight we used blues, greens and.
7) Let the stones cool off. You will find a small pool of crayon will have collected at the bottom, you may wish to give this a good rub, so that it doesn’t come off when used as a paperweight. (Note: the underside of your rock will remain untouched, save for the crayon that has run down the sides and collected there).
More wonderful Father’s Day Ideas here:
More uses for BROKEN CRAYONS that will surprise you:
This instructional video is also available on YouTube:
jet says
awesome idea, i like it, thank you for the greate tute and the sharing!!!!
Mum of One says
How wonderful. When the boy gets a little bigger we will definitely try this. Am oinning for future use x
Paige says
I have tried something like this with the children I work with, I’m an early childhood educator. We used a canvas and a box of crayons. Glues them on and used a hair dryer to melt pretty patterns.
I shall try this idea..
Ruth Ann McCoy says
This book looks amazing. How much does it cost?
Red Ted Art says
Hello Ruth, it depends on where you buy it. Amazon usually has a good deal on, or Fishpond ships for free and has it for about £13 – http://bit.ly/1BdN6Bb
Rachael says
This looks amazing and definitely something we will try but the ones that you showed us had crayon all the way round whereas the one demonstrated will just have crayon on the exposed surface. How do you cover all of the surfaces?
Red Ted Art says
Hi Rachael, the crayon tends to simply “drip down the sides and curl under” the rock. You won’t get a perfect cover of the whole stone, but it still looks nice!
Justine says
Just did this craft with my 5yr old daughter. We both loved it! Can’t wait to do more, but we’ve run out of pebbles for now… thanks for sharing all your fab ideas x
Red Ted Art says
So pleased!