Candlemaking was a chore for the children. The kids hated candlemaking. To make a candle, the children twisted string or strips of cloth into wicks. The pioneer children hung many wicks from a rod. They dipped the wicks many times into animal fat and vegtable fat that was saved from their meals. It took many dippings to make a candle that would be able to last one night. The candles were then hung to dry and harden.

The pioneers used moose fat, bear oil, bayberries,and beeswax. The boiled candle wax that they used for dipping was called tallow.