Crayon Nibbles
July 26th, 2007 by Candace
My son just turned 18 months, and is really into coloring. I absolutely love this because now we can be creative together. However, he is also a toddler (and a boy) which means most of the time breaking the crayons is often more fun than coloring with them. A friend of mine told me awhile back about melting down crayons to make chunkier ones that are easier for little hands to hold (and tougher for them to break). This is also a great way to use up broken crayons that you have laying around.
What you’ll need:
- Crayons (like I said, you could use ones you already have or buy some. I purchased 5 boxes of 24-pack crayons for 20 cents each - back to school bargains!)
- mini muffin pan (one that you don’t mind getting a little crayon on)
- exacto knife (optional)
You’ll want to preheat your oven to 265 degrees F. Peel off all the paper from the crayons (for the new ones, I found it much quicker to remove the paper in one smooth motion if I carefully ran the exacto knife down the center of the paper and peeled the paper back), and break them into 1/2″ to 1″ pieces. Arrange two to three like colors in each slot, then bake for 6-8 minutes (don’t over bake - you want them just melted so you can’t distinguish the crayon shape anymore). Let them congeal a little on the counter, then place them in the freezer until they are firm (approx. 30 minutes). They should then pop right out.
This is great for little hands that aren’t steady enough to hold thin crayons. They can wrap their whole hands around them and go to town without breaking them.
They also make great back to school and birthday gifts for other little artists in your life.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:46 am
This is an AWESOME IDEA!
July 26th, 2007 at 6:01 am
Love this Can…great idea and so easy!
July 26th, 2007 at 6:15 am
I love this idea! They’re so pretty, though, I’d almost want to display them in a dish rather than color with them!
July 26th, 2007 at 8:29 am
I really like the picture of the pile of finished crayons and the crayons in the muffin tin. They would make cool greeting cards.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:06 am
That is the kind of idea that makes people millions of dollars. So simple but so practical!! I love it! I’m definitely filing that one away for future use…
July 26th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Love it! Lydia and I will be doing that this week!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
thanks for sharing this!
i will definitely be doing this
with my 18-month old boy!
you gotta love back-to-school
sales!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I used to do that with my now 10 year old son and forgot all about it. Thanks so much for reminding me. I’ll be doing this for my three year old now.
Mine didn’t look half as pretty as yours though!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Thanks you! My two year old will love this
July 26th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I love this idea and I just cleaned my daughter’s art center in her playroom. I am so glad I didn’t throw the broken crayons away. I will be making these cute things tommorow. I can’t wait! I love your blog!!!
July 27th, 2007 at 12:31 am
Thanks for sharing this! Simple but very practical!! Awesome idea! I´m from Portugal and I just Love your site!
July 27th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Very very cool idea Candace!!! Once I know that Peyton will not EAT the crayons, I will be doing this for sure! Thanks for another great idea.
July 27th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Aww. My mom did that for me when I was little. I remember having star shaped crayons! It was always very fun to have crayons that colored in a variety of colors at the same time!
July 28th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
This is a terrific idea :-). I put a link to your post on my own blog. I recently found a huge stash of old crayons, and will definitely try doing this for my little ones.
July 28th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Ohhh, my mom and grandma did this for me when I was a little girl.
Flashback! It really is a great idea, and I’m glad y’all can enjoy creative time together now in this way!
July 31st, 2007 at 8:14 pm
love love love this. I can’t wait to make some for Lucy!
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:59 am
You are brilliant!
August 6th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Great Idea! This would be fun to do with kids too - I teach 2nd grade. I also thought of using these with some kids with special needs - needing help with fine motor skills. FUN!
August 6th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
This is really a great idea. Now i know what to do with all those crayons.. hehehe
August 10th, 2007 at 4:05 am
great idea! i love it!
August 12th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
[…] http://craftydaisies.com/2007/07/26/crayon-nibbles/ […]
August 18th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
[…] found this idea at Crafty Daisies and decided to try it today. The kids had so much fun, especially when I said you get to peel all […]
September 25th, 2007 at 7:18 am
When my son was at the waldorf school, the first crayons used were pure beeswax blocks that could be used to make wonderful tones. The side of the block was used. I have a huge box of wax crayons that I cannot bear to waste. I am going to find a way to make rectangular blocks using this method.
glad i stumbled in! Thank-you.
September 25th, 2007 at 7:54 am
What a great idea! I volunteer at a special children’s home and the kids have a hard time holding thin crayons to draw lines for their therapy sessions, and they get so frustrated. I’m going to try this out with them. Thanks!
September 28th, 2007 at 8:10 am
What a clever idea!
I am going to have to use this idea for my children as even the older ones break their crayons from time to time and I get sick of throwing them away!
I now just have to find where they have hidden all the broken crayons first of course!
September 28th, 2007 at 10:15 am
You make those crayons look edible and tasty. I’d even be tempted to consume them despite my better judgment.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:28 am
What an awesome idea,i tried it and gave 2 bags to the granddaughters,thx for telling us
September 28th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I work in a daycare and this looks like a great idea! I think I’ve just been inspired to make my christmas presents this year. Thanks for sharing.
September 29th, 2007 at 7:41 am
After adding a cup of sugar, the second batch tasted better.
September 29th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
[…] http://craftydaisies.com/2007/07/26/crayon-nibbles/ […]
September 29th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
I’ve gotta go get me a mini-muffin pan now. Thanks for the great post. I’m going to share it with my blog readers.
September 29th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Great Article. I loved it
September 29th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
I did this 16 years ago with my first son when he was little and broke a lot of crayons. The ones that were really fun were the candy molds, you can make them into the different shapes and they also make fun, inexpensive party favors - when put in the little plastic bags.
Gotta love the simple ideas when you can reuse something in a new and different way.
September 30th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
I made them and they’re AWESOME!!! I kind of just want to put them in a bowl on the coffee table because they’re so pretty and happy! LOL
September 30th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
This is fantastic…I’ve no really young kids in my life but I’m going to use my 5 year old cousin as an excuse anyway! haha!!!
October 1st, 2007 at 8:56 am
u must be a great person who bother to share idea..though i dont have a kids but your beautiful thought touched me!
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:36 am
Thanks Candace…This idea is awesome! I remember breaking so many crayons when I was growing up. I wish my Mum knew to do this. I will be sure to give them a try for my kids!
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:14 am
[…] Today’s feature is from CraftyDaisies with the instructions How To Make Crayon Nibbles For Toddlers. […]
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:53 pm
This is great! I love the idea. my kid also love coloring but he always breaks his crayons.
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:13 am
Thank you for the idea. My middle-aged Mom had a ruptured brain aneurysm resulting in several strokes and now suffers from severe motor defects. We’ve always drawn funny little pictures on paper place mats when we went out to eat, but she now has problems holding something so small as a crayon. I’m so excited to make some of these for us for a much needed drawing session. Thanks again!
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Yes as a mother of five I’ve often wondered how to entertain the kids in a controlled way. These look like a great idea.
Thanks a heap
Michelle
October 4th, 2007 at 6:17 am
That is an awesome idea!! Why didn’t I think of that?? I run a day home and my daughter is 1 so we go through A LOT of crayons. Some of my older kids are picky about using broken crayons. But with this they won’t know the difference. Thanks so much for that idea.
October 6th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Thanks for sharing an excellent idea! I am going to do that to all my nephews broken crayons
October 7th, 2007 at 7:56 am
You could make a bunch of these and hand them out on Halloween as an alternative to candy. Make sure to wrap them in something first, and maybe attach a label that says “THIS IS A CRAYON, DON’T EAT IT” or something to that effect. You’ll be the talk of the local elementary school after Halloween - kids will be comparing swag and one of them will say “I got this cool crayon thingy from Mrs. So-and-so down the street.” And all of his friends will be jealous.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:24 am
I used to have my third grade students make these for the annual craft fair. It was something all kids could help do and they all turned out beautifully. They liked creating color combinations in the tins. They helped peel crayons when they finished their work. I charged 50 cents a crayon and the kids helped tie each one up in a tuft of saran and ribbon to make it look “wrapped” and more like an official project. I put a big piece of butcher paper and a few unwrapped crayons on the floor by the display so people could try them and figure out what they were. Alot of times people guessed they were soap, so make sure to put “crayons” everywhere on your display. We’d usually make 50 $ for cost of saran wrap and ribbon. Not bad !
October 9th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I just made these! I put them in larger pumpkin-shaped molds, though.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:21 am
[…] Crayon Nibbles » Crafty Daisies (tags: art howto kids) […]
October 12th, 2007 at 1:00 am
OMG thats such a kool idea
good work
toodlez
SAMI
xo
October 12th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
HEY, I just love this idea! Just today I was coloring Halloween decorations with my kids and the dang crayons kept breaking. Now I know what to do with them!
Such a wonderful idea!
Marly
P.S. I found you through Stumble Upon…pretty darn lucky! I totally love that you have yarn in your banner…as you can tell by my “name”…I am such a yarn lover
October 16th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
OMG I USED TO DO THIS WHEN I WAS A KID! It was soooo much fun and it made some coool colors. Although my mom and I would wrap a few crayons together in like wax paper and it made like a thicker multicolored crayon rather than cups
October 17th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Wonderful! I am a homeschool mom with a 4 year and he will love this craft.
October 18th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Those look really tasty, actually…
But awesome. I’ll have to make some.
October 21st, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Here is a great example of the power of the internet. Many people invent things. Now, we have a way to disseminate this to many. All of those who wrote in saying that their Mom had invented this show that many come up with original ideas. Now we have a wonderful way to share. This is only going to get better.
October 21st, 2007 at 4:40 pm
I made these crayons today with my 4 children. They turned out better than expected!! This is a easy craft that my children loved! Thanks for a great family project.
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:50 am
A neat idea - ALso, if you get paraffin - used ofr canning foods - you can melt that add the crayons - stir lightly ( or a lot), add a wick in the middle of a mold and then pour inthe melted wax - makes great candles.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Very creative idea…i would have loved those when i was younger.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:27 pm
This si FUNTASTIC. I am totally going to do this so the little one can have them to play with. Thanks for sharing.
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Love this!! Too cute!!
November 8th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
I’m not a parent, but while this sounds like a great idea - isn’t it a bit of a choking hazard???
November 13th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
u can u these for candles too
im am using them as candles!
they r going to be a gift for my mom for christmas!
i hope she loves them and i think this gift is really sweat!
ps. u should try it as candles!
November 13th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Help amyone my sons bday is coming up and i would love to make these in a candy mold how can i melt the crayons on this ? I would like to make multicolor crayons as favors but have no idean of how to pull it off on candy molds. Please write me back at my email oalfaro@med.miami.edu thanks
November 15th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
This sounds like a great idea just be careful! I’m a nurse and am worried they will eat them if they aren’t big enough. Make sure to use the muffin pan! Otherwise, how fun!
November 16th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Great idea for the kiddies. Nice website.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:44 pm
what a good idea, those are so pretty too.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:33 pm
what a great idea!!
November 29th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Great website. Thanks for sharing!
December 5th, 2007 at 4:05 am
it would be better if you will use non toxic crayons…
kids age 18months below are in the oral stage, they will just put into their mouths whatever is in their hands.
December 10th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
What an awesome idea!! We have millions of tiny broken crayons..lol, I’ll have to try this!
December 13th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
i used these when i was little and they were sooooo much fun, and they never broke!
December 19th, 2007 at 11:31 am
I absolutely LOVE these. What a wonderful idea! I’m going to pick up some crayons on the way home to make these for Christmas gifts. Thank you so much!
December 21st, 2007 at 5:54 am
I made these last night and they are the most WONDERFUL thing! Thanks so much for the instructions!
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:13 am
This is awesome! I’m gonna blog about this idea and credit you, of course! Thank you!
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:24 pm
[…] Chunky Crayons - recycle the old bits you can’t use any […]
December 25th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Love the idea! Finally got to try it out a few days ago. My nephews loved it!
December 30th, 2007 at 4:58 am
that is a very beautiful idea. AWESOME!!!!!
December 30th, 2007 at 11:47 am
My daughter’s only 10 months, but I’ll definitely be trying this when she gets to her coloring stage. Thanks for the idea!
January 18th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
OH thank you. I will be doing this for my little guy. Very cool and creative. I love your photography too.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Thanks for sharing
February 17th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
What a great idea! I’m going to try it with my 20 month old toddler. She loves art. Thanks for sharing. Did you use crayola?
February 25th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
This is so cool.
I’ve been meaning to try it. But, never seen it in action.
Tomorrow’s project…or at least some time this week.
Thanks!
March 9th, 2008 at 3:52 am
These are fantastic. We’ve had great fun making them, thanks for sharing.
March 18th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Great idea! tfs!
March 19th, 2008 at 5:45 am
VERY cute! I make shaped crayons from my first grade class’s used and broken bits and sell them on etsy. It takes awhile but its recycling and I’m always on the lookout for new ideas! What a cute idea for mixing colors! Cute little guy, too!!
April 5th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
That’s an amazing idea! Perfect for the treat bags I am making for my little girl’s birthday party. Thanks!
April 13th, 2008 at 6:42 am
i did this today and it was so fun!
i am handing them out in little candy bags at my son’s first birthday party.
it’s a cheap alternative to party favors!!!
April 14th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I love this idea! How cute! And it’s easy (that’s what I need ;)).
April 15th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I love this I am using this as my science project! I am in the fifth grade but i still love the crayons i made!
May 10th, 2008 at 6:26 am
What a great idea! It looks so fun, and easy! When they are done, they look so pretty! They would make great party favors for little kids!
May 11th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I think it’s far too easy for little kids to bite/swallow these. I know as a kid of that age that’s the first thing i would’ve tried with these pretty little “muffins”. Unfortunately “toddler-hand-sized” is also “toddler-mouth-sized”! I’d make them bigger and a less appetising-looking shape.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:26 am
NowI know how to recycle my crayons! Crafters are always learning from each other Thanks
May 18th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I love the pictures that went with this! Very nice.
The craft itself can be changed to suit you - use regular muffin cups for larger rainbow crayons, use oven proof silicone candy molds for shapes, use mini muffin or regular silicone muffin cups, use a square or triangle muffin tin … theres also melt the crayons in paper cups via the microwave (though I choose to use regular reusable cups.) and then pour them in non-oven proof molds. You can fill metal cookie cutters with cut up crayons and stick them in the oven.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
This is also a great way to consolidate all those same colored crayons that restaurants give out!
June 15th, 2008 at 5:00 am
This is a brilliant idea! I don’t have children yet but will keep this in mind for presents for children I know, and might even do some for us!
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
What’s wrong with buying larger crayons to begin with? lol Not that I’m knocking your idea, it is a gooder.
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Hi. I stumbled across your instructions and I have to say that that was really easy! I baked for 6min & popped them in the freezer once they were cooled, but now I noticed that they all have cracks forming in the center. Some have even split in half. Do you know what went wrong?
Thanks!