How to Use a Crayon as a Candle

You can use a crayon as a candle. The paper acts as a wick for the crayon wax.
Anne Helmenstine
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on October 27, 2019

If you don't have a candle, but need some light, make a candle from a crayon. It's easy to do, plus each crayon burns about half an hour.

Materials

  • crayons
  • lighter

How to Make the Crayon Candle

  1. Use the lighter to ignite an end of the paper around the crayon. It's easier if you melt the pointy part of the crayon off first, plus you can stand the crayon in the melted wax, making a homemade candle holder.
  2. Enjoy. It's that simple. Just be sure to keep the crayon away from flammable materials. Let it burn on a fire-safe surface, just in case it falls over.

Safety Information

Crayons are not intended for use as candles and they do not burn as cleanly as a 'real' candle. You can smell the burning paper and​ the melting wax. Also, this project is suitable for adults or should be performed under adult supervision.

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Your Citation
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How to Use a Crayon as a Candle." ThoughtCo, Oct. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/use-crayon-as-a-candle-607490. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, October 29). How to Use a Crayon as a Candle. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/use-crayon-as-a-candle-607490 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How to Use a Crayon as a Candle." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/use-crayon-as-a-candle-607490 (accessed March 27, 2023).