If your art supplies cupboard is anything like ours, it’s full of broken crayon bits that feel too good to throw away but too broken to use properly. Good news — broken crayons are actually perfect for some brilliant craft projects.
Here are 10 creative and fun things to do with broken crayons, from melted crayon art to homemade chunky crayons the kids will love colouring with all over again.
Things to Do with Broken Crayons
#1. Love Hearts
Image: Mrs Williamson’s Kinders
This is a sweet idea for crayon hearts from Mrs Williamson’s Kinders. Use a heart mould to melt your broken and chopped crayon pieces into multi-coloured heart-shaped crayons. They’d make a lovely handmade Valentine’s Day gift too.
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#2. LEGO Bricks
Melt down your broken crayons and pour them into LEGO brick or LEGO minifigure silicone moulds to make fun LEGO-shaped crayons. Silicone moulds like these are widely available online if you’d like to try this one at home.
#3. Crayon Candle
Image: Chaos Ensued
This nice idea from Chaos Ensued uses a jar filled with broken crayon pieces and a wick to make a colourful crayon candle. They even melted the crayons using the heat of the sun.
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#4. Transparent Window Hearts
Image: NAPCP
These transparent window hearts are a lovely one to try. You’ll need some waxed paper, ribbon or string, and your broken crayon shavings to create these pretty, sun-catching decorations.
#5. Rainbow Crayon Play Dough
Image: The OT Toolbox
Who knew you could make play dough out of broken crayons? The OT Toolbox has the full recipe for turning old crayon bits into colourful, scented play dough — a lovely sensory activity for younger kids.
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#6. Crayon Name Craft
Image: Dollar Store Crafts
This is such a sweet idea — glue broken crayon pieces into the shape of your child’s name to make a colourful keepsake craft. Frame it for their bedroom door, or mount it as wall art. Once you’ve done names, why not try rainbows, shapes, or whatever the kids dream up themselves?
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#7. Dipped Pine Cones
Image: The Magic Onions
Save those pine cones from family walks and dip them in melted broken crayons to create pretty, colourful decorations — a gorgeous seasonal craft the whole family can join in with.
#8. Crayon Wands
Give broken crayons and oil pastels a new lease of life by melting them down into magic wand shapes — a fun one for imaginative play as well as craft time.
#9. Melted Crayon Art and Pointillism
Image: Pieces by Polly
Pointillism is an art technique that uses small dots to build up a picture. Using the melted end of a crayon is a great (if messy!) way to introduce kids to this technique — just make sure there’s an adult on hand to help with the melting part.
#10. New Chunky Crayons
Image: Make and Takes
Tired of colouring with tiny broken ends? Turn all those scraps into brand new chunky crayons using a muffin tin — easier to grip for little hands, and a great way to use up every last bit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with broken crayons instead of throwing them away?
Broken crayons are brilliant for melting down into new shapes — hearts, chunky crayons, candles, wands, or moulded shapes like LEGO bricks. You can also glue pieces onto card to make name art, or grind them for melted crayon art.
How do I melt broken crayons safely?
Always have an adult handle the actual melting. Crayons can be melted gently in the oven at a low heat, in silicone moulds, or even left in a hot car or strong sunshine for a slower melt. Keep young children away from anything hot and let finished pieces cool fully before handling.
Is the oven or microwave better for melting crayons?
Both can work, but low and slow is best to avoid scorching or smoking. Silicone moulds are ideal as they’re heat-safe and make it easy to pop out your new crayon shapes once set.
Can I mix different crayon colours together?
Yes — mixing colours is part of the fun and gives you unique multi-coloured crayons. If you want more distinct colour blocks rather than a muddy mix, group similar shades together before melting.
Are these crayon crafts safe for kids to help with?
Most of the prep and decorating steps are perfect for kids to join in with. The melting stage is the one part that needs an adult, so set the kids up with the moulds, colour sorting, or decorating jobs while you handle anything hot.
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- How to Make Playdough
- 10 of the Cutest Popsicle Stick Crafts for Kids to Make
- 10 of the Cutest Fluffiest Cotton Wool Craft Ideas for Kids
Save These Ideas for a Rainy Day
Bookmark this page or pin your favourite idea so you’ve got it ready next time the craft box needs a clear-out. These are lovely low-cost projects to pull out during school holidays or a wet afternoon at home.
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