As the chill of winter settles in, there’s nothing quite like the warm glow of a handmade candle to brighten your home. Making rolled beeswax candles is a simple, family-friendly craft that's perfect for cozy evenings together.
This activity is one of the highlights from our Winter Wonder Weekends Guide, a FREE 152-page resource filled with seasonal crafts, recipes, and activities designed to bring families closer together. Ready to roll? Let’s dive into this delightful winter craft!
Materials Needed
- Sheets of beeswax (available in a variety of colors)
- Cotton wick (cut to 1 inch longer than the height of your candle)
- Ruler and scissors
- Hair dryer (optional, to soften wax for easier rolling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Workspace: Choose a flat, stable surface like a table or countertop. If the beeswax sheets feel firm or cold, briefly warm them with a hair dryer to make them softer and easier to handle.
- Cut the Wick: Measure the cotton wick to be about 1 inch longer than the height of your beeswax sheet. The extra length ensures you’ll have enough wick extending from the top of your finished candle.
- Position the Wick: Lay the wick along one edge of the beeswax sheet, aligning it with the height of the candle. Leave a small bit of the wick extending from the top for lighting.
- Start Rolling: Gently fold the edge of the beeswax sheet over the wick, pressing lightly to secure it. Begin rolling the wax tightly around the wick, keeping even pressure for a smooth, uniform candle.
- Continue Rolling: Roll the sheet all the way to the other edge. For a thicker candle, overlap another sheet of beeswax and continue rolling.
- Seal the Edge: Once the candle is fully rolled, press along the edge to seal it. If it feels loose, warm the wax slightly with your hands or a hair dryer to make it pliable, then press firmly to secure.
- Trim the Wick: Trim the exposed wick at the top of the candle, leaving about ¼ inch for lighting.
- Enjoy or Gift: Your candle is ready to light! Use it to create a cozy atmosphere in your home or wrap it up as a thoughtful handmade gift.
Tips for Extra Creativity
- Layer Colors: Use smaller sheets in different colors to create stripes or patterns on your candle.
- Smooth Edges: If the edges of your candle aren’t perfectly straight, gently trim them for a polished finish.
- Pair with a Story: Read a winter poem or story while the candle burns to make the experience even more special.
Why Rolled Beeswax Candles Are Perfect for Winter
This craft aligns beautifully with the seasonal theme of light returning during winter, a time when we crave warmth and brightness. Whether it’s for an evening of storytelling, a dinner centerpiece, or a handmade gift, these candles create a magical ambiance that reflects the season’s quiet beauty.
Bring More Winter Magic into Your Home
This activity is just one of many in our FREE Winter Wonder Weekends Guide. With 12 weeks of crafts, recipes, and activities—each with printable resources like matching games and coloring pages—this guide is designed to bring families together through creativity and connection.
Each weekend offers both a quick win activity and a deep dive option, so you can choose how much time to spend depending on your family’s schedule.
Transform the long winter months into a season of wonder, warmth, and togetherness. Let’s roll into winter with creativity, light, and love!