Crayon Science in the Sun
Introduction
When summer temperatures creep into the high 90s, we are met with the familiar plea: “Can we PLEASE have a popsicle?” On days like these, keeping everyone cool and hydrated is key—but it’s also the perfect chance to turn the heat into a hands-on learning adventure.
This melting-crayon activity gives children a chance to explore how the sun can change solids into liquids and back again—an early science concept they’ll revisit in school. Kids also get fine motor practice by peeling wrappers and recycling those forgotten broken crayons which makes the experiment feel like play. While everyone enjoys a cold treat, gather those crayon scraps. The heatwave is the perfect excuse for a colorful summer science project!
Gather Materials
- Old, broken, or partial crayons
- Muffin tin or silicone muffin molds
- Plastic wrap
- A sunny outdoor area
- Optional: small containers or bowls for sorting crayons
Note: Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that you feel are safe for your child and that you are comfortable letting your child use.
Activity
- Gather broken crayons from around the house
- Have your child peel off any wrappers and break crayons into smaller pieces. This strengthens fine motor skills while keeping the activity playful.
- Place the crayon pieces into a muffin tin.
- Cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse effect. Place it in a sunny spot outside and let the sun and heat do its work.
- Ask your child to predict: “How long will it take for the crayons to melt?” Check every few minutes, and talk about what you notice. Introduce vocabulary like melt, solid, liquid, observe,and experiment.
- Once the crayons have melted, move the tin to a shaded spot to cool and harden.
- Pop out the new crayon discs and admire your colorful creations!
You can read about our crayon melting experience over on our Early Science Matters website.
