Spring break is right around the corner, and if you are looking for ways to keep your kids entertained during their time off from school, then you’ve come to the right place.
This project is sure to get your kids in the holiday spirit. What’s more, it will keep them busy for at least a couple of hours. Older children will be able to create this Easter egg candle with little adult supervision, but if you have younger children you will need to monitor them very closely as hot wax can lead to serious injuries.
EASTER EGG CANDLE
Materials:
Tweezers
Funnel
Sponge
Stencil brush
Balloon
Paraffin candle wax
Candle wick
Water
Acrylic paint in spring colors (e.g. pink, yellow, light blue, green, etc.)
Candleholder
Candle paint medium
Pipe cleaner
Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
Paper plate
Cotton balls
Directions:
Prepare a double boiler, placing the wax in the top portion and melting it over low heat.
While the wax is melting, fill a balloon with warm tap water until it becomes the size of a lemon.
Before you dip the balloon in the hot wax make sure you have enough wax in the pot to be able to cover the entire balloon, without having to move it around. If you don’t have enough wax in the pot to dip the balloon as necessary, add more wax to the pot and wait for it to melt.
Dip the balloon into the wax while holding the knotted end.
Once the balloon has been dipped allow the wax to cool 20 to 30 seconds before dipping it again.
You will need to re-dip the balloon until the wax is about 1/4-inch thick (requires dipping about 30 times).
Keep the balloon elevated until the wax has cooled completely. (You can place the wax-covered balloon in a candleholder with a wide opening.)
When the balloon has cooled, cut off the top, turn the balloon upside down and empty the water into the sink.
Carefully remove the balloon from the wax egg shape using a pair of tweezers.
Leave the balloon upside down until all of the water has drained out and it is dry inside.
Let the egg shape candle harden completely before proceeding to the next step.
Once the wax has hardened completely you can either place a tapered candle inside the egg OR you can fill up the remainder of the shell with wax.
If you opt for the former, just feed the tapered candle through the hole in the top of the egg, making sure that the wick is sticking out the top.
If you opt for the latter, place a funnel at the top of the egg.
Scoop up some of the remaining melted wax with a measuring cup and pour it slowly into the funnel.
Place a piece of pretreated wick into the opening of the egg. Tie the wick to a pipe cleaner to keep it in place.
Add additional wax to the top of the candle and allow the wax to cool completely.
When the wax inside the eggshell has hardened completely, wipe down the candle using the cotton ball and some alcohol according to the directions on the bottle of candle painting medium.
Use small amounts of paint to decorate the candle. You can use a sponge to add some texture.
Let the first coat of paint dry before adding another.
While this paint is drying mix equal amounts of another color of paint with the candle painting medium. Using the end of your paintbrush decorate the egg candle with pretty designs such as flowers, hearts or dots.
Trim the candle wick.
Allow the paint dry completely before burning your candle.
Related Articles:
Egg-citing Ways to Keep Kids Busy During Spring Break
Easy and Affordable Spring Art for Preschoolers