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Thanksgiving Candles

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The GIANT Encyclopedia of Science Activities for Children 3 to 6

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The GIANT Encyclopedia of Science Activities for Children 3 to 6

Here is a delightful activity that provides an opportunity for observation and fine motor skill practice.

Materials

  • Electric skillet Water
  • Empty soup can with label removed Paraffin wax
  • Crayon with paper wrappings removed Spring-type clothespins
  • White votive candles, one for each child Waxed paper

Instructions

  1. Ahead of time, fill the electric skillet about half full with water. Place the empty soup can into the center of the pan. Put chunks of paraffin wax in the can, as well as the crayon. Turn the skillet on medium to melt the wax and crayon; stir frequently. Turn temperature down to low when wax and crayon have melted.
  2. With the children, discuss the fact that the pilgrims made their own candles from wax. These people needed lots of candles since they did not have electric lights, and they made different sizes and colors of candles. To make candles, they dipped wicks into hot, melted wax many, many times until the candles were just the right size and shape. It was a lot of work for pilgrims, but very necessary!
  3. To dip candles with the children, place the skillet away from the edge of the table, about a child's arm length away. Be sure to tell each child not to touch the skillet, the water, the can or the wax because they are hot! Place the wick of each votive candle into the closure of a spring-type clothespin. The clothespin is the only thing the children will touch. Help each child make the first dip, covering the candle to the base of the wick and then pull it up and out. Count to 10, then dip again. Repeat up to five times. Do not hold the candle in the wax for a very long time or it will start to melt the candle. Place the candle on waxed paper to cool completely.
  4. Send home directions for doing this activity at home. The children will want to make several!
  5. We saved our candles for part of a holiday gift for parents. We thinned glue and used it to glue tissue paper squares to baby food jars. We placed the candles inside and wrapped them up.

More to do

More science: Encourage the children to plan a Thanksgiving celebration and to make the decorations. Use the candles in arrangements for the tables.

Related song
I'm a Little Candle (sing to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")

I'm a little candle
Short and thick.
Here is my wax
And here is my wick.
When I get all fired up
I just shout;
Watch me glow,
Then blow me out!

 

--Valerie Chellew, Marshfield, WI

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