A great activity to help kids feel involved in dinner preparations. Beeswax is sold in rectangular sheets that are large enough to make four candles. Use one set for dinner; the second pair makes an attractive home-made gift for a teacher or relative.

What You Need:

• 21 x 21 cm sheet of beeswax
• 45 cm candlewick
• glitter (optional)
• gift tag (optional)
• curly ribbon (optional)
• paper punch (optional)
• scissors
• blow dryer (the kind you use for hair)

How To Do It:

Adult Preparation:

Cut the beeswax square on the diagonal. Before making the candles, warm the wax with the blow dryer. The heat freshens the wax to a bright shiny appearance, and makes the beeswax easier to roll.

Child:

1. Place the wick along the side of the beeswax triangle, starting with the end of the wick at the bottom of the candle (the 90 degree angle).
2. Fold the degree of the wax over the wick to hold it in place.
3. Carefully roll the beeswax, keeping the bottom edge even. The candle will begin tapering away from the tip.
4. Cut a 9.5 x 5.5 cm piece of paper, fold it and punch a hole in the top left corner. Write a message on you gift tag and thread it onto the wick.
5. Make a second candle at the other end of the wick. Be sure that the tips of the candles meet at the middle with the gift tag between them.
6. If you need candle holders, shape a lump of play dough around the base of each candle. Carefully remove the play dough and let it air dry.
7. Your candles cane be rolled in glitter at this point. (optional)
8. Tie the candles together with a 15 cm piece of curly ribbon and curl the ribbon using scissors.

Surrounded by their creations, your kids will feel special at dinner time. And the spare pair of candles makes a great gift that your child will be proud to give.

NOTE: Beeswax and candle wick are available at Michael's and other craft stores.

Originally published in the Orleans Star, December 19, 1995