Turn a tin can into a constellation candle holder!

Adult supervision and help is extra important for this activity

What you need:

• A tin can

• Nail

• Hammer

• Sand paper

• Tea light candle (or a battery powered candle for safety)

• Salt and a paper towel (to remove any stubborn glue residue)

Optional:

• To make a handle: wire or string

• Decoration: acrylic or spray paint and a mask

What to do:

1. Get an adult to help you to sand or hammer down any sharp edges on the tin.

2. Run the tin under hot water and the label should peel off easily. If there is still some glue residue you can scrub this off using a paper towel, water or oil and fine grain salt. Just make the towel moist, add a big pinch of salt and use this to scrub off the glue residue.

3. Clean the tin with soap and water and then dry it thoroughly.

4. Draw a constellation of stars onto your tin with a permanent marker, we created the Matariki constellation and then dotted other stars all around it.

5. With an adult’s help use the nail and hammer to make small holes in the tin on top of each star you have drawn. You’re done!

Optional Extras:

1. You could also create a handle. Make two holes in the top of the tin at opposite sides to each other. Thread a piece of wire through each hole.

2. If you want your candle holder to look less like a tin you can paint it. Dark shades will work best.