Now that the days are cooler and it is dark before bedtime we can enjoy lighting candles in the evening. Beeswax candles are an easy activity for toddlers to mark this special time of year.
Materials
- Beeswax sheets cut to 10 cm x 15 cm
- Candle wicks cut to 14 cm in length
- A selection of candle holders
- Heat bag
Preparation
Place a wick along the short edge of each wax sheet and roll just enough to hold the wick in place. Lay the heat bag over the wax to keep it warm.
Method
- Gently remove the warm bag, move a sheet of wax to the middle of the work area, and replace the heat bag back on top of the remaining wax sheets.
- Using just the fingertips of both hands I demonstrated slowly and carefully rolling the wax to form a cylindrical candle.
- Demonstrate how to pinch the bottom of the candle together so that it fits easily in the candle holder.
- Placed the candle in the candle holder and invite the child to have a turn.
- When done, find a place to put the candles.
Notes on Materials
I use wax sheets cut to 10 x 15 centimetres. I found this was optimal so that if the candle is rolled quite loosely it will still fit in a candle holder.
I made sure the wicks were cut to length allowing for an overlap of 2 centimetres on each end. This way it doesn’t matter which end is placed in the candle holders.
Some wax sheets can be rolled without heating. I found it easier when they had been heated. Most instructions say to use a hairdryer but I found that the heat bag works well for toddlers.
Make it harder
- Place strings cut to the correct length in a small dish for the child to position himself and roll.
- Provide scissors for the child to cut the string to the appropriate length.
- Have the child warm the heat bag in the microwave himself.
