Yesterday was the last day of winter break for my Kindergartener, so to celebrate we decided to get crafty for Valentine’s Day. I love the way our sun catchers turned out so much, they may stay up long after Valentine’s Day. After all, what’s a playroom without a few handmade hearts?
This is a super simple craft to create using things you probably already have on hand. I did learn a few things making ours, so make sure you take note of my tips so yours turn out perfect the first time. It is also super quick, so you can make a lot of these in a short time with only a few crayons.
Materials:
- Old Crayons
- Wax Paper
- Parchment or Kraft Paper
- Manual Sharpener or Knife
- Iron
What I love about this craft is that it is an excellent way to upcycle old, broken crayons. And since I recently cleaned out the junky restaurant crayons from my girls’ restaurant backpack, we had plenty to work with. We also like to make recycled crayons from old crayons, but this time I wanted to do something different.
After removing any paper from the crayons. Sharpen crayons with a manual sharpener. Since we were using old broken crayons, while my daughter sharpened the crayons she could, I used a knife to chop up smaller bits.
TIP – The first one I made I used a LOT of shavings, like 5-6 crayons worth. That’s overkill. You only need one crayon for each piece of wax paper. Otherwise, it is too thick and you will lose the translucent sun catcher effect.
For the first few sun catchers we made, we mixed colors. But we discovered that when the colors melted, they became one dark shade of red. So we decided we liked the look of a single color best.
Once you have you shavings, place them on a piece of wax paper – approx 12 x 12 inches. Fold the wax paper in half and then double fold the edges to create an envelope that will contain the shavings. This is very important. Make sure you double fold over your edges or wax will run out when you iron.
Using a low setting, place your wax paper envelope between a large piece of folded parchment or kraft paper. Wax will ooze out — do not skip the parchment or kraft paper. (At first I tried using a rag as a drop cloth, but it got messy. The parchment works well because it contains the melted crayon.)
As you iron, let the melted crayon run in the wax paper envelope filling it with color.
When the melted crayon is more or less evenly distributed, set it aside to cool (just a couple of minutes).
Once cool, use a pencil to draw large hearts on the wax paper envelopes, and then cut out hearts. (I was surprised how easy it is to cut the wax paper with melted crayon inside.) Initially, I was going to trace perfect hearts, but I decided to freehand them and let my daughter cut them out.
Punch a hole in your hearts and hang in the window.
Super pretty, right?
Nichol says
Today is the perfect day for me to do this with my daughter since we are froze in haha. Love these!
Ellen Christian says
That’s just so cute! I love all the bright colors!
Annie says
ooooh these are pretty!! I love this idea, it is so simple even I can do it 🙂
Natalie says
What a genius idea! Perfect for keeping the children occupied in the school holidays!
Shannon Schmid (@milkandcuddles) says
Very pretty in the sun- kind of a stained glass effect!
Cat Davis says
How pretty! This looks like a craft my kids would love to do.
Donna says
So pretty! I love doing crafts with my son. He’s starting to get at that age where he doesn’t want to be so “crafty” with me, but from time to time, he will feel sorry for me. 🙂
Jessie says
These are so pretty! I forwarded this to my sons preschool teacher, and we are definitely going to be making them at home!
Shell Feis says
My son would LOVE to make those! Thanks for the great idea!
Sally says
This is an awesome snow day craft. Thanks for sharing. The best part is you can do other holidays as well.
Meagan Paullin says
I remember doing this when I was a kid – thanks for the reminder 🙂
Carolyn Michelle says
Sooo cute!! Thanks for the tips. I can certainly see how you could get in hot water…er…hot wax…real quick when those crayons start oozing!!
Kasandria Reasoner says
SUPER cute and easy!
Kas
Cynthia says
This is such a cool idea. They’re so pretty. Definitely would keep them up past Valentine’s Day. Thanks for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you next week.
Jamie says
I remember making these when I was little!! How cute!! This would be great to do as a class or with church, etc. Love it! Pinned & Tweeted!
Rose Powell says
Hello Jen , thank you for sharing your adorable Valentine’s Day Sun Catchers kid craft on The TBCcrafters Linky! My daughter is going to have a blast creating this for our window.
Shawn Ann @ Shawn Ann's World says
That is really neat. I’m going to have to try that this weekend with my son.
Nichi - The Mandatory Mooch says
What a great and festive project, Jen. Thanks for linking up to BOTW party!! Nichi – The Mandatory Mooch
Jelli says
Jen, I love this! What a pretty craft project for Valentine’s day or really any day that you need some bright cheerful color in your life. Love it. Pinning.
Kelly says
These are very cute. My daughter would definitely enjoy making them.
Thanks for sharing,
Kelly
Amanda Tucker says
I remember doing stuff like this when I was in school! I’d love to do this with the kiddos in my life, so cute!
Shop with Me Mama says
This is absolutely adorable and sooo pretty too! I love all the pretty colors!!!
Ashley @ 3littlegreenwoods says
Perfect project for my children! Thank you!
Cara says
These are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing on Craft Frenzy Friday! We’ve decided to feature these great Sun Catchers this week! So come by tonight at 7PM CST and check out your feature and link up again! We hope to see you there!
jen says
Thanks so much! I am so glad you like them 🙂
Raquel says
Loving these adorable sun catchers! They caught my eye at the practically functional party. Pinning these!
Kelley says
how cute! what a great idea for valentines 🙂 found you on the weekend linky party!!
Pam says
I am so over the dark , dreary winter where I live, so I could really use some fun colorful in my house! You are today’s Dare to Share Feature of the Day. Thanks so much for linking up!
Sherry says
Great idea. I would love to try.
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
Sorry this is belated but thank you SO much for linking up to our “Best Of The Weekend Party last week!! I featured this awesome project tonight when the party went live. 🙂
Have a great weekend!! xo
jen says
Thanks so much! Glad you liked my Sun Catchers 🙂
Linda says
I think I have to make these, too. 🙂 Thanks for showing how! Linda
Danielle says
We made them last weekend so much fun! We strung 4 hearts on each string! Sending them to loved ones for Valentine’s day!
Alicia says
Hi Jen! Just thought I’d let you know that I included your Valentine’s Day sun catchers in a “round-up” post for Valentine’s Day. Thanks for sharing it over at Do Tell Tuesday a couple weeks ago! I decided to give it a feature apart from Tuesday’s regular post 🙂
Cheryl Reinhardt says
Love the colors,,,,,,,, and what a great idea…….. hearts are always happy and colorful and how can you not love them….. These look really fun to make……….
Debbie says
Thanks, for sharing! Great idea!!
Diana Valle says
Using old crayons is a great idea! However have 2 b careful when working with children.
lisa says
Once cool, use a pencil to draw large hearts on the wax paper envelopes, and then cut out hearts. (I was surprised how easy it is to cut the wax paper with melted crayon inside.) Initially I was going to trace prefect hearts, but I decided to free hand them and let my daughter cut them out.