Candle Drip Painting

What you'll need

• Thick watercolor paper
• Two or three colored candles or plain white household candles
• A metal baking tray to catch drips
• A lighter or match (adult use only)
• Liquid watercolors or well-diluted food coloring
• Chunky paintbrushes and a cup of water

How to make it

1. 1

   Set the paper on the metal tray. Move any long hair or loose sleeves out of the way.

2. 2

   Adult only: light a candle and let it burn for a minute so the wax is fully melted.

3. 3

   Adult only: carefully tip the candle and drip wax across the paper in swirls, dots, and lines. Your child can call out where to drip next.

4. 4

   Blow out the candle and let the wax cool for a minute until it's hard.

5. 5

   Now hand over the paintbrushes. Invite your child to wash bright watercolor all over the paper.

6. 6

   Watch together as the paint slides right off the waxy lines — the drips stay white and secret shapes appear.

7. 7

   Let the painting dry flat, then peel off any thick wax blobs gently once it's cool.