Youth Activity Archive

Activity Description: Youth melt broken crayons in a silicone ice cube tray to make new rainbow crayons.

Safety Warning: This activity requires adult help when using the oven or handling hot trays. Youth must not touch melted wax or hot silicone molds. Always use oven mitts, place trays on heat‑safe surfaces, and allow crayons to cool completely before removing them. Keep small crayon pieces, beads, or buttons away from very young children to avoid choking hazards.

Items Needed:

• Broken crayons sorted by color
• Silicone ice cube tray
• Baking sheet lined with foil
• Oven mitts
• Cooling rack or heat-safe surface
• (Optional) Toothpicks for gentle swirling
• (Optional) Knife for trimming edges (adult use)

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 90–180 min):

1. Prepare and sort crayons. (5–7 min)
   • Peel wrappers and break crayons into small pieces.
   • Make separate piles for each color.
2. Preheat the oven and set up the tray. (5 min)
   • Heat the oven to 200–225 degrees.
   • Place the silicone tray on a foil-lined baking sheet.
3. Fill the tray for a random rainbow. (3–5 min)
   • Add mixed color pieces into each cavity until 3/4 full.
   • Avoid overfilling so wax does not spill.
   • (Optional) Fill the tray for a layered rainbow look. Stack color pieces in order (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple). Keep layers thin; do not pack tightly.
4. Melt the crayons in the oven. (8–25 min)
   • Bake until pieces are fully melted and level.
   • Do not stir; remove carefully with oven mitts.
5. (Optional) Add gentle swirl lines. (1–2 min)
   • Lightly draw a toothpick across the top layer.
   • Do not mix deeply or colors will blur.
6. Cool completely. (30–60 min)
   • Let the tray sit until wax is solid all the way through. Place the silicone tray on a cooling rack for airflow, or carefully move it to the refrigerator for faster hardening.
7. Remove and finish. (3–5 min)
   • Flex the tray and pop crayons out.
   • (Optional) Trim edges with a knife if an adult is available.

Step-by-Step Tutorials:

• Alternate Instructions: Crafty Art Ideas: How to Melt Crayons in Silicone Molds The Easy Way
• Alternate Instructions: Lip Gloss and Crayons: DIY Rainbow Crayons
• Alternate Instructions: Paper N Stitch: How to Make Cool Rainbow Crayons

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