I have always loved setting aside the summer months to craft!  Any kind of craft will do.  It doesn’t have to be a summer object, but that’s always fun so that you can fill your home with summer decor.  One really interesting craft that you can make that will last the whole year through are Sand Candles.  Candles are one of my favorite things in the world because they give a nice warm glow and make your home feel super cozy.  Plus, these candles are made of sand, so when you get home from the beach and have that extra sand pour out of your shoes, bags and car mats, you have a wonderful use for them!  But you can also head to your local craft store for plain or colored sand to create the perfect look you are going for.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Large heat-proof mixing bowl
• Sand
• Empty 1-pound coffee can
• Paraffin or old candle stubs
• Candle wicking
• Thin wood dowel or stick

Here’s how to do it:

1. Fill the bowl three quarters full with slightly damp sand and ask your child to dig a mold about the size of his fist.
2. Using your hands, bend one side of the coffee can rim to form a spout. Fill the can halfway with paraffin and set it in a saucepan that’s one fourth filled with water. (Never place the can directly on the burner.) Then melt the wax over very low heat; when it has melted, turn off the heat.
3. Cut the wicking to 6 to 8 inches longer than your mold is deep. Rest the dowel across the bowl’s top and tie one end of the wick around it. Press the other end into the bottom of the mold.
4. Now it’s the adult’s job to carefully pour the wax into the mold until it reaches about 1 inch from the top.
5. Once the candle is cool, remove it from the mold, brush off any excess sand, and trim the wick.