Craft Ideas For Kids - Water-Dipped Candle

Celebrate Candlemas on February 2 by making fun Water-Dipped Candles. It's a great way to celebrate the lengthening daylight hours as well as using up old candle stubs. I had so much fun creating our candles with my son; it's ideal for older kids to experiment with. We tried out different methods; both were just as effective.

Warning: Wax can be safely melted in a pot over a flame but it is flammable and must be removed from heat if it begins to overheat and smoke. If it does catch fire, do not use water but smother quickly with a pan lid.

Note: We got this idea from a wonderful book called All Year Round by Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes Clinton and Marije Rowling. 

You will need: old candle stubs, a light coloured candle, ladle, small pan and a large bowl of water (make sure your candle will be fully submerged standing up)

 Method 1

 1 - Melt candle stubs on a low heat; do not over heat.

2 - Stick a candle in the middle of your ladle.

3 - Pour the melted wax into your ladle.

4 - Gently lower ladle into your bowl of water.

5 - Lift out of water, cut the ends and place into a candle holder, ready for lighting or decoration.

Method 2

You will need a shallow bowl of water and a small ladle or spoon.

1 - Melt your stubs and leftover wax. Place a candle lengthways in a shallow bowl of water.

2 - Using your small ladle or spoon, gently pour some melted wax along the length of your floating candle.

3 - Once your candle has hardened, dry with kitchen towel. Then replace on a different side in your shallow bowl. Repeat the process until you have covered the whole candle.

4 - Dry your candle, cut the bottom and place into your candle holder ready for lighting or decoration.