The process of candle making is one that can be a lot of fun. You can make candles right at home and give them away as gifts or even sell them. Some people take the initiative to start up their own candle making business once they get the hang of things but you could also just use it as something to do in your spare time with the kids. But can you try making candles with your kids at home?
You can help the kids pick out the different supplies you will need for one thing, and they will really enjoy this. Each candle making recipe can vary but the basic supplies you will need are wicks, containers and fragrance if you want to make an aromatherapy candle. You have a choice of either paraffin wax, soy wax or gel. After you have gotten all your supplies and are home and ready to get started you want to put the wax or gel into a double boiler.
It is important to always keep a close eye on the temperature when making candles as it should never get higher than 180 degrees. The fragrance needs to be added next and remember to keep the kids away from the heating element while you are doing this, although they can drip the fragrance oil in from above if you are watching carefully. As the adult you should be the one monitoring the heating element and taking care of things but you can allow the children to pour in the fragrance if they stay far enough away from the heat. As for the amount of fragrance you need to add there is never really a specific amount but these are potent essential oils so you do not have to use very much, usually a drop or two.
As you are melting this mixture together, you can get a child to glue one end of the wick down onto the bottom of the candle container. The wick should be oversized a bit so it is as long as the length of the container plus about an inch or two. You do not want to have the wick too short because you will not be able to light the candle if it is. Keep the wick held out of the way to make sure it does not get wet, because you will not be able to light the candle once it is finished if the wick is covered in wax.
To hold the wick up while the wax is drying, use a clothespin. There are also some handy little devices you can find at candle making stores that will work just as well. You can find something fun to do with the kids for the rest of the day and in about five hours the candle will be dry. The kids are going to love being involved in something like this and they will be so proud of what they helped work to create.