If you have children, you undoubtedly have that container. You know the one—an old shoebox or a plastic tub filled to the brim with broken, peeled, and stubby crayons that are too small to color with but somehow feel too wasteful to throw away.
It has been a strange few years for families. Between lockdowns, rainy days, and the rising cost of supplies, we have all learned to be a little more resourceful. Many of us are wishing that craft supplies were considered “essential services,” but often, we have to make do with what we have at home.
However, this scarcity has a silver lining. It forces us to think outside the box and teaches our children the value of upcycling. Those neglected crayon bits aren’t trash; they are vibrant raw materials waiting to be transformed!
Here are 15 awesome crayon arts and crafts that kids can make using those random bits and pieces. From melted wax art to science experiments, you will be amazed at the gorgeous things you can create from what was once considered waste.
⚠️ Important Safety Warning
Please Note: Many of these projects involve melting wax using ovens, irons, or hair dryers. Adult supervision is absolutely essential. Never leave children unattended with hot wax or heating appliances. Ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area.
1. The Classic “New” Chunky Crayons
This is the ultimate upcycling project and the best way to get rid of the smallest crumbs of wax.
- What You Need: Old crayons, a silicone muffin pan (or metal pan with liners), an oven.
- The Process: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Have your kids peel the paper off the crayons (tip: soaking them in water makes the paper slide right off!). Break the crayons into small pieces and fill the muffin cups. You can mix colors to create “rainbow” crayons or stick to similar shades. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fully melted. Let them cool completely before popping them out.
- The Result: Brand new, chunky, multi-colored discs that are perfect for toddlers to grip!
2. Wax Paper Suncatchers
Capture the sunlight with this nostalgic craft that mimics stained glass.
- What You Need: Wax paper, crayon shavings (use a pencil sharpener), an iron, a towel.
- The Process: Lay down a piece of wax paper. Sprinkle crayon shavings onto it—less is more here, or it will turn muddy. Place a second sheet of wax paper on top. Place a towel over the paper and iron on a low setting (no steam) until the wax melts. Once cool, cut the fused paper into shapes like hearts, stars, or butterflies and tape them to the window.
3. Melted Crayon Canvas Art (The Rain Method)
This creates a stunning piece of modern art that looks professional enough to hang in the living room.
- What You Need: A canvas, whole crayons (or long pieces), a hot glue gun, a hair dryer.
- The Process: Glue a row of crayons (tips facing down) along the top edge of a canvas. Prop the canvas up vertically against a wall (put newspaper down first!). Turn the hair dryer on high heat and aim it at the crayons. Watch as the wax melts and drips down the canvas in beautiful rivers of color.
4. Hot “Crayon Rocks”
This is a sensory delight and results in incredibly smooth coloring stones.
- What You Need: Smooth river stones, baking sheet, oven, crayons.
- The Process: Wash and dry the rocks. Place them on a baking sheet and heat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until they are hot. Carefully remove one rock at a time (adults should handle the hot rocks) and place it on a protected surface. Let the child draw on the hot rock with a crayon. The wax will melt instantly upon contact, creating a paint-like, vibrant coating.
5. DIY Scratch Art Paper
Remember those black sheets you scratch to reveal rainbow colors? You can make them at home!
- What You Need: Sturdy cardstock, bright crayons, black acrylic paint, dish soap, paintbrush.
- The Process: Color the entire sheet of cardstock with various bright crayon colors. Press hard—you want a thick, waxy layer. Mix the black paint with a tiny drop of dish soap. Paint over the crayon layer completely. Once dry, use a toothpick or coin to scratch drawings into the black paint, revealing the rainbow colors underneath.
6. Crayon Resist Watercolor Painting
This project combines science and art, teaching kids that oil and water don’t mix.
- What You Need: White paper, white (or light-colored) crayons, watercolor paints.
- The Process: Have your child draw a picture using only the white crayon. It will be hard to see! Then, ask them to paint over the paper with wet watercolors. The wax from the crayon will resist the water-based paint, causing the hidden image to magically appear.
7. Melted Crayon Monograms
A personalized gift idea that looks fantastic on a bedroom door.
- What You Need: A wooden letter (from a craft store), crayon bits, strong glue.
- The Process: You don’t even need to melt them for this one! Simply arrange the crayon pieces (color-coordinated looks best) to fill the wooden letter. Glue them down securely. Alternatively, use the hair dryer method mentioned in #3 to make the colors drip down the letter.
8. Sandpaper T-Shirt Transfers
Create custom fashion using the unique texture of sandpaper.
- What You Need: Fine-grit sandpaper, crayons, a white T-shirt, an iron, parchment paper.
- The Process: Have the child draw a design heavily onto the rough side of the sandpaper using crayons. Place the sandpaper face-down onto the T-shirt. Place parchment paper on top and iron on a high setting for about 30 seconds. The heat transfers the wax from the sandpaper to the fabric, leaving a cool, vintage-textured print.
9. Crayon Marbled Butterflies
These look delicate and translucent, almost like real butterfly wings.
- What You Need: Paper, crayon shavings, an iron, scissors.
- The Process: Fold a piece of paper in half to create a crease, then unfold. Place crayon shavings on one side of the crease. Fold the paper back over. Iron on low heat (with a towel on top) to melt the wax. While the wax is still warm and soft, cut out a butterfly shape. When you unfold it, you will have a symmetrical, marbled butterfly.
10. Crayon Drip Ornaments
Start your Christmas crafting early with this mesmerizing technique.
- What You Need: Clear glass or plastic ornaments, crayon bits, hair dryer.
- The Process: Remove the metal top of the ornament. Drop 3-4 small pieces of crayon inside. Put the top back on (or cover the opening with tape). Heat the outside of the ornament with a hair dryer while twirling it. The crayons will melt inside, swirling around to coat the glass in a marble pattern.
11. Crayon Playdough
Did you know you can use crayons to color homemade playdough? It yields vibrant, rich colors.
- What You Need: 1 tbsp oil, 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1 cup water, chopped crayons.
- The Process: Melt the crayons with the oil in a pan on low heat. Add the water. In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Slowly add the colored liquid to the dry mix and knead until you have a smooth dough. (Caution: Make sure the liquid cools slightly before handling).
12. Crayon Mosaic Art
Perfect for toddlers who aren’t ready for heating elements.
- What You Need: Cardboard, glue, tiny crayon bits.
- The Process: Draw a simple shape (like a fish or a flower) on the cardboard. Instead of coloring it in, use plenty of glue and stick the tiny crayon bits inside the lines to fill the space. It creates a textured, mosaic effect similar to tile work.
13. Leaf Rubbing Collage
A classic autumn activity that never gets old.
- What You Need: Fresh leaves with prominent veins, thin paper, crayons (peeled).
- The Process: Place a leaf vein-side up on a table. Place the paper over it. Rub the side of a peeled crayon over the paper. The texture of the leaf will be transferred to the paper. Cut out these paper leaves and arrange them into a beautiful nature collage.
14. Crayon Wand Sculptures
For the older kids who want to build something structural.
- What You Need: Whole crayons, super glue or a low-temp glue gun.
- The Process: Treat crayons like Lincoln Logs or building blocks. Stack them to create log cabins, pencil holders, or abstract sculptures. The wax bonds well with glue, making for sturdy little structures.
15. Homemade Crayon Candles
Since crayons are made of paraffin wax, they can burn just like a candle!
- What You Need: Small glass jars (like baby food jars), crayon bits, candle wicks, essential oils (optional).
- The Process: Place a wick in the center of the jar. Melt the crayons in a double boiler (a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water) or the microwave. You can add a drop of essential oil for scent. Pour the melted wax into the jar and hold the wick straight until it sets. Layer different colors for a striped effect!
The Benefits of Crayon Crafting
Engaging in these crafts isn’t just about killing time or saving money. It offers significant developmental benefits for your children:
- Fine Motor Skills: peeling the paper off crayons is actually an excellent exercise for little fingers, strengthening the pincer grasp needed for writing.
- Color Theory: When melting crayons, kids learn how colors blend. They see firsthand how red and yellow make orange, or how mixing too many colors creates a muddy brown.
- Sustainability: Teaching children to reuse and repurpose materials fosters an eco-friendly mindset from a young age.
Final Thoughts
We might be living in challenging times where trips to the craft store aren’t always possible. But limitations often breed the best creativity. By looking at a simple bin of broken crayons and seeing the potential for stained glass, sculptures, or canvas art, you are teaching your children to be resourceful innovators.