Fun Popcorn Crafts to Make with Your Kids

On the long cold and rainy days of winter, you might find your children getting bored and restless. As a matter of fact, you might be bored yourself. When it is too cold to go outdoors, it is fun to have a family craft day. If you choose the right projects, you might have all of the ingredients for the craft project right in your kitchen. Just one bag of un-popped popcorn can lead to an entire afternoon of entertainment. Here are some fun and easy craft ideas for ways to use that popcorn.

Make Bean Bags

You can make your own “bean bags” by using popcorn as a substitute for beans when you sew your fun little corn filled bags. As a matter of fact, beans are bigger than popcorn, so the smaller kernels of popcorn make the bags easier to use. Using fabric scraps, sew the material into small bags, either a traditional square shape or custom shapes like cars or animals. Place both of the right sides together so that you can turn them right-side out after you sew them. When you sew the shapes, sew all the way around and leave an opening of about two inches on one of the sides. After the bags are all sewn, pour your popcorn kernels into a large bowl. Have your children help you to fill the pouches with popcorn. If you have any difficulties, try using a funnel. Fill your little bag until it is about two thirds full, then you can sew shut the opening. As soon as they are done, make sure that you play some games with them. One great indoor game is to set up a bucket or a box and see who can toss in the most bags. You can also play a tossing game like “Hot Potato”, or you can learn how to juggle using the bags. Make sure that you take some pictures of your children having fun, because action photos such as these are wonderful to display in picture frames.

Popcorn Mosaic Art

If you happen to have on hand a bag of colored popcorn, then you can have some fun making a mosaic. Use a square of poster board or other lightweight cardboard. Draw some simple designs on your cardboard that can be used as a guide for your child to apply the popcorn. Using white glue, cover a section of your drawing, and carefully place one color of popcorn in that section. Once that section is done, apply more glue and another color of popcorn to another section, and continue until the picture is complete. Once they are dried you can place them into colorful 5x7 picture frames for display, or you can use them as lovely and interesting trivets.

Popcorn necklaces and Garlands

If you have ever strung popcorn to make garlands for your Christmas tree, then you know how much fun this can be. Well, you can make fun and decorative garlands for you house for a special occasion, or even for some novelty jewelry for your kids. First thing that you will do is to pop a big bowl of popcorn. Thread a yarn needle with quilting thread, lightweight string, or dental floss and string the kernels. For variety, you can even alternate the popped kernels with dry cereal rings to make it more decorative. Make the garlands as long as you would like and hang them around your home, or make them short and knot the ends together to make fun necklaces for your children. Don’t forget to snap some pictures of your kids with their fun jewelry creations. Place into picture frames so that you can always remember the fun.