Candle-making can be an easy and fun project for children, but adult supervision is needed at all times since heat will be used. To begin, gather your supplies. While you can purchase candle-making wax chips at a craft store, you may want to just use old candles or paraffin (PAIR-uh-fin) as a base, with a few old crayons for color, or simply use just crayons for a multi-colored effect. You'll need a coffee can and a small pan in which to heat the wax. You'll also need something to put your candle in. Since this recipe doesn't include instructions for taking the candle out of the mold, choose an attractive, non-flammable container, or a clear one so you can see the candle through it. Finally, you'll need string for a wick, and a long nail or thin stick. Tie the string around the stick or nail, and lay it across the mouth of the container, so the wick dangles to the bottom of the jar. Now, place the bits of wax into the coffee can, and set the can into a pan of water. Turn the burner on low, and heat until the wax is melted. Now, pour it into your container. After you've made a few candles, try adding various colors a layer at a time so you have a rainbow effect, then experiment with tipping the container so that each layer hardens at a different angle. When this project is complete, you may find the children enjoy burning the candles almost as much as making them.
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