AngelaIt’s been freezing in NYC this week, and we’ve officially reached the stir-crazy stage. When the weather traps us indoors, I’m always searching for activities that feel creative without being, well… overwhelming.
My girls have always been crayon enthusiasts. I usually keep a stash in my bag for outings, which inevitably leads to a collection of sad, snapped pieces at the bottom. Instead of tossing them, I’ve been hoarding them for a rainy-day “upcycling” project.
I have a core memory of my mom melting crayons in cupcake tins. Wanting to put my own spin on it, I ordered silicone heart-shaped molds. While you could go wild with dinosaurs or stars, I love the hearts as they’re the perfect size for little hands to grip.
The girls helped peel, sort, and organize the crayons by color before filling their own molds. They also had a nice time helping me crush them up in plastic bags. For some they kept to one color palette; for others they mixed multiple colors. There’s no right or wrong way, which is nice.
One small lesson I’ll pass along: Don’t underestimate the wrapper-removal phase. I peeled them all by hand, which felt fine at the moment and questionable by the end. My thumbnail is still sore as I write this, so learn from me and use scissors or a knife. Future you will be grateful.
I’ve bought “novelty” crayons on Etsy before (looking at you, adorable-but-waxy Easter bunnies), and they often look better than they draw. For this to actually work as an art tool, stick to the good stuff. I usually grab the big Crayola tubs and as I mentioned, have been saving broken pieces over time.
To try it at home: peel and break crayons into small pieces, fill silicone molds on a baking sheet, and bake at 250°F / 120°C for about 15 minutes until melted. Let cool at room temperature and wait about 20 minutes before removing from molds.
| Prep | Peel and break crayons into small pieces (use a tool for peeling) |
| Fill | Pack your silicone molds tightly. Place the molds on a baking sheet for stability. |
| Bake | Bake at 250°F (120°C) for about 15 minutes or until fully liquid. We love our Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer, but any normal oven will do. |
| Cool | Let them sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before popping them out. |
Our girls are already excited to use them, and I think these would make great classroom Valentine gifts. From start to finish, it took about an hour and a half—which is perfect for a cold or rainy morning when you want something calm and creative.
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.
