National Crayon Day – How are crayons made?

Grab a piece of paper and your favorite color and draw a celebratory picture – March 31st is National Crayon Day!

Crayons are a fan favorite for parents, teachers, and children alike! They’re less messy than markers, improve fine motor skills, and help children safely express their creativity. While crayons are extremely well-loved, they go by fast. It’s estimated that by the time children turn 10 years old, they have worn down over 700 crayons.

Rather than waste these leftover crayons, many schools and individuals have resorted to recycling them. They’re sent to businesses who melt down the used crayons to create new ones, often in fun shapes and mixed colors. Reshaping crayons can also be more beneficial for special-education students who have trouble gripping regular crayons.

A key component to making crayons is soybean oil! Using soybeans in products creates many additional benefits. Adding soybean oil to crayons make them less flakey and allow them to glide easier while coloring.

They also brighten the colors and are less toxic to children. Another benefit is that soy crayons are biodegradable and even edible – although they may not taste great! It’s common for little ones to curiously munch on things, such as crayons, but there’s no need to fret when they’re made of soy.

To celebrate this national holiday, print off one of the coloring pictures below and let your creativity run wild!