Mother’s Day is coming up soon, and this year I wanted to get my mom something really special! My mom is very deserving and I honestly don’t tell her enough how thankful I am for everything she’s done for me. From always being there for my sister and me growing up, coming to all our games and meets, to offering to watch my son for a week so my husband and I can go on vacation, she really is a special and giving mom!
Living far away from my mom means that she doesn’t always see the day-to-day things that we do. So I thought it would be nice to create a little treasure for her to share some of my son’s artwork- he loves to color and paint! I came up with the idea to preserve some of his artwork by transferring it to a candle for my mom to have as a keepsake! If you think you aren’t crafty, don’t worry, it’s very easy to do!
How to make kid art candles:
Have your kid(s) make their designs on the tissue paper with the permanent markers. For younger kids this could just be scribbles and you can add your own wording. For older kids they can make an actual design or write a nice message. I told my son (2.5 years at the time!) we were making some special for Grandma and Nana for Mother’s Day. I also told him these were special markers and special paper and he couldn’t write on his face with them! Be sure to protect your work surface because the markers will leak through the thin tissue paper.
After the coloring is done, cut carefully around the artwork to size it down to fit the candle. Be sure to cut off as much tissue paper as possible, cutting close to the design.
Next, place the tissue paper on the candle where you want to design to stay. Wrap the wax paper around the candle and hold it tightly in the back. Using a blow dryer on high heat, heat up the design until you see it begin to transfer. It takes about 45 seconds to a minute. You will be able to see the difference as the transfer starts to happen, as the wax begins to melt and cling to the tissue paper. Carefully remove the wax paper and that’s it, your personalized candle is ready!
Tip: be careful of your hands, because it gets very hot! Wear mittens if you’re sensitive!
Kid Art Candle Transfers
Materials
- White candles (make sure they are smooth without any designs)
- tissue paper
- permanent markers, such as sharpies
- wax paper
Tools
- blow dryer
Instructions
- Have your kid(s) design their art on the tissue paper with the permanent markers. Be sure to protect your work surface because the markers will leak through the thin tissue paper.
- After the coloring is done, cut carefully around the artwork to size it down to fit the candle. Be sure to cut off as much tissue paper as possible, cutting close to the design.
- Place the tissue paper on the candle where you want to design to stay.
- Wrap the wax paper around the candle and hold it tightly in the back.
- Using a blow dryer on high heat, heat up the design until you see it begin to transfer. It takes about 45 seconds to a minute. You will be able to see the difference as the transfer starts to happen.
- Carefully remove the wax paper and that's it, your personalized candle is ready!
Notes
Be sure to protect your hands from the hot blow dryer, especially if you're sensitive to heat! You could wear gloves, an oven mit or wrap them in socks.