Calling all crafty parents and art-enthusiast educators! Here’s a magical way to unleash your little ones’ creativity and transform your ordinary crayon box into a masterpiece machine – melted crayon art!
It’s a fun, sensory experience that’s perfect for kids of all ages.
Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up those broken crayons collecting dust in the drawer.
Get ready to be amazed by the vibrant colors and unpredictable textures that melted crayons create.
We’ll explore 20 exciting melted crayon art ideas that will have your kids begging for more artsy adventures.
Safety First: A Few Pointers Before We Begin
Melted crayon art involves heat, so adult supervision is crucial, especially for younger children. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
- Adult handles the heat: Let grown-ups handle the hairdryer, oven, or heat gun used for melting the crayons.
- Protect surfaces: Use a newspaper or tablecloth to cover your workspace.
- Let it cool down: Allow melted wax to cool completely before touching.
Let’s Get Melty: Must-Have Materials
Now that safety is covered, gather your supplies! Here’s what you’ll need for most melted crayon art projects:
- Cardboard or canvas (different textures create unique effects)
- Broken crayons (a beautiful way to give them new life!)
- Glue gun (for secure crayon attachment)
- Hair dryer (a gentle way to melt the crayons)
- Optional: aluminum foil, cookie sheet, muffin tin, silicone molds, stencils, paintbrush
20 Melted Crayon Art Ideas for Kids to Spark Creativity
Rainbow Waterfall:
Glue crayons in a rainbow pattern on cardboard, with the pointy ends facing down. Use a hairdryer to melt the crayons, creating a colorful waterfall effect.
Underwater Scene:
Glue blue and green crayons to a canvas. Add glitter for an extra shimmer and melt the crayons to create a vibrant underwater world.
Stained Glass Effect:
Glue crayon shavings between the lines of a printed stained-glass design on cardstock. Place parchment paper on top and iron gently to melt the crayons.
Melty Mandalas:
Draw simple mandala patterns on cardboard. Glue broken crayons inside the sections and melt them with a hairdryer for a mesmerizing effect.
Melted Crayon Critters:
Glue different colored crayons together to form the body shapes of animals. Melt them to create adorable melted crayon creatures.
Galaxy Art:
On black cardboard, glue white and yellow crayons for stars and planets. Use other colors to create a swirling galaxy effect with the hairdryer.
Abstract Art:
This is where creativity reigns supreme! Glue crayons in random patterns on cardboard and melt them for a one-of-a-kind abstract masterpiece.
Nature’s Canvas:
Take a nature walk and collect leaves. Glue crayons to the leaves and carefully melt them with a hairdryer (adult supervision required).
Melted Crayon Coasters:
Glue broken crayons onto a ceramic tile in a design of your choice. Cover with parchment paper and iron gently to create unique and colorful coasters.
Colorful Mobiles:
Cut out shapes like fish, stars, or butterflies from cardboard. Glue crayons onto them and melt for vibrant mobiles. Hang them with string for a touch of whimsy.
Melted Crayon Resist:
Draw a design on cardboard using white oil pastels. Paint over the design with watered-down black tempera paint. When dry, melt crayons over the top – the oil pastel will resist the paint, revealing your design.
Melted Crayon Dipped Pinecones:
Collect pinecones and secure them with string for hanging. Dip them partially into melted crayon (using a spoon) for a festive and colorful decoration.
Melted Crayon Bookmarks:
Cut out bookmark shapes from cardboard. Glue a design with crayons and melt for a personalized and artistic bookmark.
Melted Crayon Sculptures:
Glue broken crayons upright in a muffin tin. Melt them in a preheated oven at a low temperature (with adult supervision) to create colorful melted crayon sculptures.
Melted Crayon Rubbings:
Place a textured object (like a leaf or textured paper) on cardboard. Rub melted crayons over the object to create a unique texture rubbing.
Melted Crayon Streamers:
Grate crayons onto wax paper. Place another sheet of wax paper on top and iron gently to create colorful melted crayon streamers. Decorate gift packages or hang them from the ceiling.
Melted Crayon Marbled Paper:
Fill a shallow dish with water. Drip melted crayon colors onto the water’s surface, then gently swirl them with a toothpick to create a marbled pattern. Carefully lay a sheet of white paper on top and lift it to transfer the design.
Melted Crayon Crayons:
This is a fun way to recycle broken crayon nubs. Fill silicone molds with broken crayons and melt them in a preheated oven (with adult supervision). Once cool, you’ll have brand new “crayon crayons” in unique shapes!
Melted Crayon Resist with Salt:
Draw a design on cardboard with white oil pastels. Sprinkle generously with salt. Paint over the design with watercolors. The salt will resist the paint, revealing your design when rinsed clean. Melt crayons over the top for a vibrant effect.
Melted Crayon Scratch Art:
Cover cardboard completely with black oil pastels. Paint a thin layer of white tempera paint over the black. Once dry, use a toothpick to scratch a design through the white paint, revealing the black oil pastel underneath. Melt crayons over the top for a colorful and textured masterpiece.
Bonus Tip: Repurpose and Reuse!
Melted crayon art isn’t just about creating new masterpieces; it’s also a fantastic way to upcycle and reuse old materials. Here are some ideas:
- Recycle Old CDs: Transform old CDs into dazzling melted crayon art pieces. Glue crayons around the outside edge and melt them with a hairdryer to create a mesmerizing mini disco ball effect.
- Repurpose Cardboard Boxes: Cardboard boxes become canvases for your melted crayon creations! Cut out shapes like houses, cars, or animals and let your imagination run wild.
The Magic of Melted Crayons
Melted crayon art is a delightful and engaging activity for kids of all ages. It’s a fun way to explore color theory, experiment with different textures, and create one-of-a-kind artwork. With a little adult supervision and these creative ideas, you and your kids can transform your crayon box into a world of artistic possibilities! So grab your crayons, turn up the heat (safely!), and get ready to melt your way to a masterpiece!
