Candles have lighted family homes for centuries, and today they still bring warm spirit to hearth and table. They're also fun to make for adults and kids alike.
Here's a project that you can do with your kids using simple materials. For second graders studying time, this is a great opportunity to talk about the heritage of candlemaking, and how it was a part of family life for generations before us. It's also a great chance to reinforce some "green" lessons as you recycle and reuse old candle stubs and crayons to make wax for the candles. As an extra surprise, these homemade candles expose hidden treasure as they melt.
What You Need:
- Assorted metal charms (or use coins, seashells, and other non-flammable trinkets)
- Wax: either candle stubs in assorted colors, broken into pieces with a hammer and the wicks removed, or candle wax purchased from a craft store
- Wick made by dipping a length of kitchen twine in melted wax, or one purchased from a craft store
- Metal mold or coffee can, wider at the top than the base to make removal easier
- Vegetable oil
- Candle dye or crayon stubs in assorted colors (optional)
- Double boiler
- Clear gift wrap
- Metal iced-tea spoon or chopsticks
- Ribbon for packaging
Show Instructions
Printable Workbooks from Education.com
Find a printable workbook to go along with this fun activity.
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