School-aged kids can get in on the fun of a FaceTime call with Grandparents or other adult family members as they learn some popcorn science and get hands-on experience making a batch of gooey caramel popcorn.
SUPPLY LIST – Ages 5-12
- The Popcorn Book, by Tomie dePaola
- Recipe Card for our Easy Caramel Popcorn, plus a mailable postcard (free download)
- Caramel Popcorn supplies: Sweetened Condensed Milk, Brown Sugar, Popcorn, Oil, Butter (or substitute microwave popcorn for the popcorn and oil).
- Pop for Families Game (a popcorn-themed for early readers)
- “What’s in the Box?” graphic (ages 5-8)
- A “Connection Question” to help Grandma or Grandpa remember and share part of their life story
Extension Ideas for Early Readers:
This POP For Word Families Game is one of several popcorn-themed games for early readers produced by the company, Learning Resources. You’ll find versions that teach everything from letters to sight words. If there is an early reader in your family, this may be a fun addition to your Popcorn Playdatebox.
You’ll enjoy three fun popcorn activities as part of this call:
- Tomie dePaola’s The Popcorn Book shares the story of popcorn and its cultural roots in an interesting and engaging way. You’ll learn why popcorn stores best in a refrigerator and how to pop it so you get fewer “old maids.” You’ll discover facts about indigenous groups’ traditions for planting and harvesting popcorn. And you’ll learn about a day in the midwest that was so hot, it snowed popcorn.
- Once you have learned proper technique, it’s time to put Grandma or Grandpa to work demonstrating how to make Caramel Popcorn. Enjoy your own online cooking class, and if possible, have Grandma or Grandpa demonstrate how popcorn was made before there was such a thing as a microwave. (You’ll find instructions inside The Popcorn Book).
- After the treats are made, sit back and enjoy a chat with your grandparents about some of their memories related to popcorn:
- Did they ever eat popcorn at a movie as a teenager? How were movies different then versus now?
- Can they describe what it was like to go to a Drive-In Movie Theater? Have them give details about how you could hear sound during a Drive-In movie.
- And as long as you are on the subject, ask about their first date.
Caramel Popcorn Recipe – Try Your Own Online Cooking Class
This is an easy, no-fail recipe you can make in minutes. This makes a LARGE batch of caramel, so add the finished caramel to your popped popcorn until it is sufficiently coated, then use the remaining caramel for dunking apple slices YUM! Alternately, you can trim the recipe by half. But where’s the fun in that?
Ingredients:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups corn syrup
1 square butter (1/2 cup)
1 heavy pinch of salt
Pop about ten quarts of popcorn and set aside in a large bowl. Stir all remaining ingredients together in a heavy pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil for 3-4 minutes or until all sugar crystals are dissolved.
Pour your caramel over your popped popcorn until it is covered to taste. (You may have lots of extra caramel) Stir well. Cool and enjoy! Use your extra caramel for another batch later on, or try it as a fondue sauce for dipping fresh apples. This caramel stores in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Popcorn Science
You’ll know a lot of popcorn science once you’ve finished reading The Popcorn Book. With a couple of Google searches, you can find videos that will explain some of the cool physics behind popped popcorn. Here’s one to get you started: Popcorn Popping in Super Slow Motion:
Be sure to share your ideas for other FaceTime call Playdates with us in the comments below!
Download a copy of our “What’s In The Box” graphic to add to your finished Playdatebox.
Popcorn Playdate for preschoolers ages 2-5
Popcorn Playdate for grandchildren ages 12+