Use a pumpkin or acorn squash as your candle holder for this easy kid's craft that is perfect for the Thanksgiving season.
Thanksgiving Fun: Mini Pumpkin Candles
This is a simple but elegant craft that is perfect for older kids to do. Small pumpkins become your candle holder until hardened. Use these candles for your holiday table decoration or to decorate the house all fall season. Be sure and make a few extras – family and friends will want to take some home with them too.
You can use the mini pumpkins available during the autumn season or you can use a small squash such as acorn squash to make your candle. Candle making is a fun and enjoyable kid’s craft. And eating by candle light is a wonderful way to enjoy a meal.
Please do this crafts only with ADULT SUPERVISION. Melted paraffin is VERY hot and can burn easily.
What You Need
- Acorn squash or small pumpkin – your choice – you can even use fancy gourd that sits flat
- sharp Knife
- String for wick – you want to use strong twine of you can purchase candle wicking in a craft store
- Paraffin – look in the canning section of your department store or purchase at a craft store
- (NOTE: instead of paraffin you can also melt down old broken pieces of candle)
- needle with a large eye
- clay
What You Do
- Cut the top off an acorn squash or pumpkin or gourd. Remove the seeds and inside flesh. Discard this or make pie!. This will be your candle mold.
- Thread a wick through the bottom of your squash using a long needle. Seal the bottom with a bit of clay. Place the clay on the inside bottom of the pumpkin. This will keep the wax from running out.
- Melt the paraffin, candle wax or candles in a double boiler. Wear oven mitts and handle carefully. Pour the melted paraffin into the pumpkin. You want to fill it at least half way up. When your candle has hardened peel off your pumpkin shell and you have your own special candle pumpkin shaped candle.
You can purchase candle coloring and scent at craft stores if you want your candle to be a certain color and a richly scented candle.
Be sure and check out all our Pumpkins and Scarecrows crafts here at Kids Crafts. We are sure you will love the Gingham Pumpkins . Educational fun starts with Kids Crafts. Harvest Mice Alphabet Cards - they are so adorable. Our archives are just full of fun fall goodies so browse through the index on the main page.
