An apparatus (100) for making crayons is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base (110) that houses a heating component, a melt pan disposed to absorb heat from the heating component, a mold (122), and a cover (112). The melt pan receives crayon material and contains it as the heating component increases the temperature, causing the crayon material to liquefy. The liquefied crayon material can then be drained by the user of the device, into a mold with crayon-shaped cavities. A cover prevents access to the melt pan and the mold during particular operating conditions of the apparatus.