Ingredients:
10 cups popped popcorn
1 (1-lb.) package large marshmallows
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
Decorations: sprinkles, licorice, gum drops, cinnamon candies, etc.
Melt marshmallows and butter in a large saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Pour over popcorn and stir. Butter hands well and form into balls. Decorate as desired.
Yield: 10 balls, 5 Snowmen (2 balls each)
Put these on display while you prepare the next popcorn treat!
Make your Own Popcorn Bar
Topping Options:
Popcorn salt & pepper
Assorted herbs & spices
Nuts (pine nuts, peanuts, slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, etc.)
Cheese crackers
Pretzel sticks
Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, etc.)
Grated cheese
Chocolate chips
Cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg
Assembly:
Set out a large bowl of popcorn. Put smaller bowls with various popcorn fixings around the big bowl of popcorn. Let each person fill a paper bag or other container with popcorn and top or mix with their desired flavorings.
Dish up and relax with each other in front of a favorite family movie!
Jumping Kernels:
For even more fun with popcorn, try out this fun science experiment. (Definitely a crowd pleaser)
You will need:
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1/4 cup vinegar
* food coloring
* a clear drinking glass or vase
* about 1 cup water
What to do:
1. Put water into glass
2. Add a few drops of food coloring (your choice)
3. Add the vinegar
4. Add the baking soda
5. Drop in about 20 popcorn kernels
In place of kernels you could also use dried beans, rice, pasta, or buttons.
Sit back and watch what happens!
(When I tried this with a preschool group, one of the girls suggested I add a little bit of hand sanitizer to see what would happen. Try it out!)
