Popcorn is the perfect travel snack. Not only is it delicious, it’s also an ease to store and prepare, lightweight, and extremely versatile. Whether it’s a microwave bag or a jar of kernels to be prepared on the stove top, this tasty treat should be on the list for every road trip, brought along to munch on during outdoor activities, and on hand for when lounging around the campsite.

For those trips with the family – especially if young children will be along – try pairing one of these unique popcorn recipes with a craft that features, what else, popcorn. You and your kids can munch on the craft materials as you work toward creating something special.

 

Popcorn Treats

Unicorn Popcorn – Nerdy Mamma

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups popcorn kernels
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4-5 food coloring options
  • Sprinkles

Instructions:

  1. Prepare 4-5 sheets of aluminum foil (you should have as many sheets of foil as you do food colorings).
  2. While popcorn pops, place sugar, oil, water, salt, and vanilla in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Stir the mixture until completely liquefied.
  4. Once kernels have been completely popped, separate into 4-5 large bowls (again, you should have as many bowls as you do food coloring). Set aside.
  5. Using as many small bowls as you did large, separate the sugar mixture.
  6. Add 5-8 drops of food coloring to each small bowl and mix until well combined.
  7. Pour one colored sugar mixture over each bowl of popcorn and stir until evenly coated.
  8. Spread each popcorn batch over a sheet of aluminum foil. Coat with sprinkles while sugar is still warm.
  9. Allow popcorn to dry for about 2 hours, until it is no longer soggy.

 

Cinnamon Toast Popcorn – Two Sisters Crafting

Ingredients:

  • 10 cups of popped popcorn
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 heaping tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a small saucepan or in the microwave.
  2. Pour melted butter onto popcorn and stir well.
  3. Combine cinnamon and sugar. Pour about half of the mixture over the popcorn – save the other half for another time! Stir until well combined.
  4. Spread popcorn onto a baking sheet or a piece of foil and allow to cool.

 

Fudgy Marshmallow Popcorn – Cookies and Cups

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup marshmallow crème
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows

Instructions:

  1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Pop popcorn and set aside.
  3. In a large pot, combine evaporated milk, butter, and sugar. On medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil and let boil for five minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. Immediately remove the mixture from the heat and stir in marshmallow crème, chocolate chips and vanilla, stir until smooth.
  5. Pour mixture over popcorn and stir until well coated. Add marshmallows to popcorn mixture and stir again.
  6. Spread popcorn onto prepared pans and allow the chocolate to set at room temperature before serving.

 

Popcorn Crafts

Popcorn Trees – Craftulate

Supplies:

  • A few small sticks and loose twigs
  • A sheet of construction paper
  • Glue
  • Popcorn

Assembly:

  1. Once you’ve gathered your sticks and small twigs from outside, glue them down onto your construction paper in a tree-like shape.
  2. Glue popcorn onto sticks and construction paper to make leafs.
  3. Once completely dry, proudly display your child’s artwork!

 

 

Popcorn Bird Feeders – Happy Hooligans

Supplies:

  • Floral wire
  • Popped popcorn
  • Dried cranberries
  • Strawberries, apples, or any other fruit in your fridge
  • Raffia

Assembly:

  1. Chop fruit into small, bite-sized chunks. (If you’re using an apple, toss with a little lemon juice to keep from browning.)
  2. Thread fruit and popcorn onto floral wire, alternating between fruit and popcorn.
  3. Once wire is full, twist the two wire ends together to keep the food from sliding off.
  4. Now twist your feeder into a shape of your choosing. If you’re doing this craft in February, consider twisting the wire into a heart shape!

 

Hopping Corn – One Time Through

Supplies:

  • A clear glass container
  • Popcorn kernels
  • 2 ½ – 3 cups of water
  • 6 tablespoons of baking soda
  • 6 tablespoons of white vinegar
  • Food coloring (optional)

Assembly:

  1. Fill glass jar with water and a few drops of food coloring, if using.
  2. Add baking soda to container and stir until dissolved.
  3. Add a small handful of popcorn kernels to container.
  4. Add the vinegar and watch the kernels begin to hop up and down.

Share any of your child’s favorite popcorn inspired crafts or recipes to our Facebook page, we’d love to read them!