It's freezing cold outside today, so we've been trying some indoor winter science activities. These crayon resist snowflake pictures have been a big hit, and they are very easy to create.
Younger children love to watch the images appear as they paint over them, but this activity is also a fun way for older children to learn about wax. Wax is a very useful material as it repels water and has a low melting point.
Crayon Resist Snowflake Art
You'll need
White paper
Paint Brush
Water
Instructions
Draw a snowflake on the paper using the white crayon. You might need to press down hard. It can be a bit difficult to see what you're drawing, but all will be revealed when you paint over the crayon.
Using the watercolour paint, gently paint over the crayon snowflakes. They should become visible as they are painted over.
The same technique works for leaving secret messages for friends or drawing other pictures.
Why do crayons resist water?
Crayons are made from wax, which repels water. They are hydrophobic. As you paint over the crayon, the paint slides off.
Washable crayons are not quite as good for this activity as wax crayons, but they work well enough to make a good picture.
Uses of Wax
Wax has many properties that make it a very useful material.
Repels Water - as well as being used to waterproof clothing, wax is useful for coating machinery to protect it from oxygen and water, to prevent rust from forming.
Doesn't conduct electricity - this means wax can be used to seal electrical parts.
Low melting point - wax melts easily, making it great for candles and for making moulds and crayons.
Malleable - wax is easy to shape, making it ideal for shaped candles and craft projects.
Beauty products
Wax is used in a lot of health and beauty products as it is slippery and so gives lipsticks and lip balms a texture that allows them to glide over the skin, as well as providing a protective barrier and glossy look.
Beeswax, carnauba and lanolin are examples of wax used in cosmetics.
Health products
Wax is often used to protect tablets from moisture and to make them easier to swallow.
Food
Some fruits and vegetables are covered in a thin layer of edible wax to preserve them by reducing moisture loss.
Some cheeses are dipped in wax to preserve their freshness.
Gummy sweets often contain wax to stop them from sticking to each other and to give a shiny appearance.
Last Updated on January 8, 2026 by Emma Vanstone
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