But while the kids were super into the melted crayon stained glass part, they would hear nothing of the heart part.
They had their own vision for their art and, of course, it was so much better.
Not only did they arrange their crayon shavings painstakingly between the wax paper to create the look they were going for, they added marker drawings over the stained glass sheets to complete their artwork.
Here are the step by step instructions for this project with (lots of) photos…
To some of you, this might look like a lot of work and not very fun. But my kids LOVE to do this. We have one cheese grater and they fight over turns. The crayon grating part of this activity went on for days.
Keep your crayon shavings separated by color in individual dishes or the sections of a muffin tin.
Or, if you’re like my younger child, enjoy the mixed colors and don’t worry too much about keeping them separate (as in the photo above on the right).
Step 4 :: Add Crayon Shavings to Wax Paper
Cut or tear a sheet of wax paper and fold it in half to crease the center. Unfold.
Trays come in handy, to contain the crayon shavings and to transport the half-finished artwork to the iron, but are not necessary. The inexpensive plastic trays pictured here are from Ikea. I’ve also written about special kids’ art trays in my tools for art post.
Add crayon shavings to one side of the wax paper in any pattern or design desired. A small amount will go a long way. Fold the second half of the wax paper back over to sandwich in the crayon shavings.
Step 5 :: Iron Crayon Shaving Sandwich
Set the wax paper/crayon shaving sandwich on a piece of newsprint or other paper on your ironing board (or, on top of a towel on the floor as those of us lacking an ironing board might do it). Place another piece of paper on top.
The paper is to soak up the oils from the melting crayon.
Run the iron over the paper/wax paper/crayon shaving sandwich slowly and evenly to melt the crayon. I use low heat, such as the silk setting.
Lift the top paper off to reveal your new melted crayon stained glass.
If you see areas where the crayon shavings haven’t melted, simply put the paper back down and iron over the area some more.
Hold your new artwork up to the light to reveal the stained glass effect. The colors look beautiful with sunlight shining through them!
Step 6 :: Add Drawing Details
Use Sharpie markers to add details or images to your stained glass.
Maia and Daphne both did this to their melted crayon art, but Daphne especially got into it.
She added underwater scenes to each of her artworks.
We taped our stained glass art directly on the windows, but you could create proper frames for these with construction paper or with a masking tape edge.
If you haven’t done this stained glass activity before, I recommend giving it a try with your kids! Mine loved it and worked on it off and on for over a week. (This is where having a dedicated art space comes in handy.) Even if you have tried it before (as we have many times), try it again at the age and space where your kids are now. And consider adding the drawings over the finished artworks.
P.S. If you are left with extra crayon shavings, try this melted crayon resist, use them for Easter eggs, or do one of the activities below.
so fun! thinking of doing this project for an art group tomorrow. . .any tips on cleaning the grater? does it come off in the dishwasher or should i use a designated art grater??
thanks!
Oh no! I’ve never had that happen, so I’m not sure except that maybe the crayon wasn’t melted enough? We melt it until it’s truly liquid and spreads around the wax paper. It’s no longer “bits.”
I remember doing this in grade school for Halloween. We made different shapes (cat,bat,skull,etc) with construction paper borders and accents! So much fun and a great memory! Thank you!
15 Comments
kate
February 23, 2016 at 4:14 pmwhoa i have never heard of this!! how awesome! thanks so much i am always looking for new ways to entertain the crazy kids
Jean Van't Hul
February 23, 2016 at 7:38 pmYou’re welcome, Kate! Enjoy! It’s a fun one!
rebekah
February 24, 2016 at 1:22 pmso fun! thinking of doing this project for an art group tomorrow. . .any tips on cleaning the grater? does it come off in the dishwasher or should i use a designated art grater??
thanks!
Jean Van't Hul
February 29, 2016 at 5:46 amIt comes off completely in the dishwasher Rebekah. We do this regularly and it always washes off. So no worries there!
Tina @AMindfulFairytale
February 24, 2016 at 5:09 pmThese are awesome! I remember we did something similar in a Kindergarten class I helped in but I need to do these with my daughter! So fun!
Jean Van't Hul
February 29, 2016 at 5:45 amYes! Give it a go with your daughter, Tina! I bet you’ll both have fun with it. :)
Katarzyna Wójcik- Respendowicz
February 27, 2016 at 5:30 pmNice:)
https://kreatywniejemy.blogspot.com/2016/02/swiat-dinozaurow_27.html
Jean Van't Hul
February 29, 2016 at 5:44 amLove that dinosaur art! :)
pagna
February 28, 2016 at 9:53 pmThat is wonderful art. I love all those art too.
Julia Claridge
March 4, 2016 at 6:05 amI think my little girl would love doing this. The effects are great, a fab idea thank you.
Jean Van't Hul
March 7, 2016 at 4:18 amYou’re welcome, Julia!
Katie Kaplan Leach
April 15, 2020 at 4:30 amI recently did this with the two girls I sit for and all the melted crayon bits fell out of the pieces of wax paper. What did I do wrong?
Jean Van't Hul
April 19, 2020 at 6:10 amOh no! I’ve never had that happen, so I’m not sure except that maybe the crayon wasn’t melted enough? We melt it until it’s truly liquid and spreads around the wax paper. It’s no longer “bits.”
Carrie Kelley
October 2, 2020 at 9:01 amDid you by chance use parchment paper instead of waxed paper? I wonder if that makes a difference?
Carrie Kelley
October 2, 2020 at 9:04 amI remember doing this in grade school for Halloween. We made different shapes (cat,bat,skull,etc) with construction paper borders and accents! So much fun and a great memory! Thank you!