Wax Melt Making

Bumbles Day Care > My Dashboard > Risk Benefit Assessments > Wax Melt Making
Setting Group / Location Created by Date created
Stuart Gowdy
04/08/2025

This activity encourages the children to use the safe handling of equipment that can pose risk if misused. The end goal is that the children will have created something in Bumbles that they can take home and use. Below is a step -by-step guide for the equipment necessary to carry out this activity and how to do so safely:

EQUIPMENT NEEDED 

  • Soy/Paraffin Wax 500G – 1KG
  • Wax Melter
  • Kitchen Scales
  • Measuring Jug
  • Wax/Candle Making Spoon (very long)
  • Candle Dye Chips
  • Thermometer (can be a probe or digital thermometer)
  • Fragrance Oil- to be ordered from NI Candle Supplies (always check ingredients)
  • Mould Trays

HOW TO USE EQUIPMENT SAFELY:

  • Using a cup to scoop out the wax and kitchen scales, children to measure out the appropriate amount of wax (500G – 1KG) and add to the bowl within the scale
  • Children to measure out 500g of wax beads into the kitchen scale
  • Children to transfer the wax from the scales bowl into the wax melting pot. Smaller children to use a suitable stool in order to reach into the pot.
  • Ensure that the pouring nozzle on the wax melter is on the OFF position
  • Plug the Wax Melter into a power outlet, leaving the red ON/OFF switch set to OFF
  • Adjust the dial to the appropriate temperature for the wax to melt 75-80 degrees Celsius
  •  Turn the switch on the wax melter to ON ensuring the lid is closed
  • Smaller children to use bathroom stool in order to reach into the pot
  • Every 2-3 minutes, take off the lid and gently stir the wax using a long metallic wax melting spoon , ensuring that it has all completely melted. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax as it melts
  • Once the wax has melted, adjust the dial to 60 degrees Celsius and allow the wax melter to cool to this temperature, monitoring the temperature every 5-10 minutes
  • Children to wear plastic gloves during the handling of the fragrance oils to prevent skin irritation
  • Once the temperature has reached 70 degrees Celsius, add your dye colouring (only a little is needed) and fragrance oil. (Please note that no more than 10% of fragrance oil should be added to your volume of wax. If using 1KG of wax, add 100ml of fragrance oil. If using 500G of wax, add no more than 50ml of fragrance oil)
  • Stir the dye and oil gently to prevent air bubbles- using a long metal spoon
  • Once the desired pouring temperature (60 degrees Celsius) has been reached, use a measuring jug, preferably one with a long pouring spout, to place underneath the pouring nozzle of the wax melter
  • Hot Nozzle to be covered with a tea towel
  • Carefully adjust the pouring nozzle handle to the ON position and the melted wax will begin to pour into the jug
  • DO NOT fill the jug more than halfway
  • Ensure that the pouring nozzle handle is set to OFF before moving the jug away. Leave the jug under the nozzle for a few seconds to allow any drips of wax to pour out fully
  • Children to carefully pour the wax from the jug into each cavity on the mould tray, ensuring that you do not move the tray once the wax has been poured ( carefully and with adult assistance if required.)
  • Silicone Moulds to be spread out around table (one at one side, two at another)
  • Allow the wax to cool and set within the moulds for a minimum of 3 hours, but preferably overnight
  • Do NOT pour wax into any of the drains as this will harden and block the drains. Find a sealed container of any sort, pour the wax into the container and allow it to cool. Then bin
  • Ensure all wax has been poured out of the melting pot
  • To properly clean the melting pot, boil a kettle and fill the pot to half. mix in white vinegar cleaning spray and turn the dial to 70 degrees. Place the lid on the melting pot for 20-30 mins. Drain out the water and wipe down the pot with a clean, cleaning cloth (the base of the pot on the inside will be hot)
  • Activity should take around 60 minutes to complete, allowing breaks for the wax to cool etc…
  • Extension lead could be a tripping hazard. No children will be placed at the table where the extension lead sits
  • Hot Wax – This activity deals with hot, melted wax transfers. There is the possibility that the children could spill the wax onto their skin, or onto another child, causing burns/scalds
  • Wax Melter Temperature – The Wax Melting pot will heat up significantly on the inside and on the metallic pouring nozzle, potentially leading to burns if in direct contact with skin
  • Hazardous Items If Ingested – The wax, fragrance oil and dye chips can be hazardous if swallowed/ingested
  • Appropriate Space – Too many children engaging in the activity at any one time can lead to bumps, trips and falls. Potentially causing burns/scalds
  • Finished Product Ingestion – The finished product can look very appealing to children, almost like sweets. If swallowed/Ingested the child could choke and the Wax Melt will be hazardous to their health
  • Extension lead- Extension lead being used to plug in equipment, can be a tripping hazard
  • Hot Wax – The children will have an important talk with the supervising adults before the activity takes place where the dangers of hot wax will be explained to the children. It may be necessary to use gloves when mixing/pouring wax to prevent any hot wax spilling/dripping onto the skin of the children
  • Wax Melter Temperature – Using appropriate PPE such as gloves will protect the children’s hands from the high temperatures of the Wax Melting Pot. It may be Appropriate to encourage the children to wear long sleeves or an apron to protect their clothing/body underneath the clothing
  • Hazardous Items If Ingested – Staff should be monitoring the children at ALL times during the activity and should have explained the dangers of eating/drinking any of the materials used within the activity. The activity should be carried out with at least TWO adults
  • Appropriate Space – A maximum of TEN children at any given time should apply to this activity. The children can swap in and out for the mixing of the ingredients/stirring/pouring
  • Finished Product Ingestion – Due to the nature of the finished product possibly being seen as something to eat by younger children, once the wax has fully set, they should be placed somewhere out of reach by the children and only given to them as they are leaving to go home
  • Extension lead- Ensure no children are placed at the table were the extension lead sits. Ensure children are aware of where the extension lead is in their environment.
  • The children will feel a sense of accomplishment and pride having created something entirely from scratch through to a finished product that they can take and use at home
  • The children will gain/improve upon important listening and communication skills
  • The children will gain/improve upon their measuring skills, fine handling and motor skills
  • Could create new interests for children who perhaps did not have prior knowledge of this activity
  • Provides the children with more knowledge of chemical reactions (heat creating pools of wax / dyes changing the colour of the wax/ scent creating a new smell)