Your kids will love this fun rock crafts for kids where kids will color on hot rocks. Such a fun STEAM activity.
I absolutely love when science meets art. I am a creative person by nature and thankfully my daughter has learned that as well. She also loves science, though too. It is so much fun to combine two loves into one fantastic activity. Our latest STEAM activity was way to fun! We created decorations that can be used in the garden or in a dish on a book shelf. This activity is not just fun but it creates art masterpieces! You can also create these masterpieces by Coloring On Hot Rocks.
This might sound crazy but let me tell you it is crazy cool! The heat that gets trapped inside the rock and transfers to the crayon when the crayon is touched to the hot rock. In turn the crayon melts. This means that you can create a beautiful designs on the rocks. As the rocks cool so does the crayon wax and it dries onto the rocks.
Please keep in mind that the rocks are HOT. We used tongs and towels and oven mits to make sure that we didn’t actually touch the rocks. My daughter understood this and didn’t touch the rocks but was still able to create beautiful artwork on them.
Materials Needed
- Rocks (We used ones with a smooth surface)
- Crayons, wrappers taken off
- Pot for boiling water
- Water
- Tongs
- Oven Mits/Hot Pad
- Tray
We started by putting water on the stove to boil. Once it was boiling we added a few rocks at a time. Since there was two of us, I did 4 rocks at a time in the water. We kept them in the water for about 4 minutes at a time.
While the water was boiling, we set up our working area. We used cookie sheets for working on so that the hot wax didn’t drip on the table.
Using tongs I placed two rocks in front of her and two in front of me. Next is when the creativity begins. Again, please remember these are hot. At this point I added a new set of rocks in the pan.
All you have to do is press the crayon onto the hot rock and it instantly melts the crayon wax, transferring it to the rock. We created heart ones for Valentine’s day, spring themed ones, and ones that were just abstract.
After a few minutes the rocks would cool down so they were not as hot to the touch and the wax would start drying. After an hour or so the wax would be completely dry and the rocks could be played with or displayed.
We had so much fun doing this project. They all turned out so pretty and so decorated. I love the themes that my daughter chose as well as how mine turned out.
I don’t want to scare you into thinking kids can’t do this project. It is hot, but use your judgement. I explained that rocks were hot and could burn her really bad. She had absolutely no problems not touching the rocks with her hands. Please use your best judgement.
Fun Science Experiments for Kids
- DIY Lava Lamp
- Grow Your Own Crystals
- Egg Geode Science Experiment
- Science Fun – Water Coaster
- Forensic Science for Kids
- How to Make a Lemon Clock
- Make Edible Rocks
- Jello Animal Cells
Deanna Hershberger is a work at home mom, coffee obsessed, a diy addict and a Netflix binger. She spends her days playing and making with her daughter and enjoys quiet nights at home with her husband. She shares all of this on her blog Play Dough & Popsicles.
