Easter Crafts for Kids: Think Jellybeans

It's the candy of the season and found in most homes today. Way back since the 1930's, jellybeans became part of Easter traditions. I think we all remember munching on this sweet confection during our childhood and it has only gotten better today, with not only traditional but gourmet flavors as well. Because of their egg-like shape, jellybeans became associated with the Easter bunny that is believed to deliver eggs as a symbol of new life during the spring season.

The exact origin of the jellybean is not truly known. Experts think the jelly center is a descendent of Mid-Eastern confection known as Turkish Delight that dates back to Biblical times. It was a candy made by hand and even with all our modern advances it still takes 6-10 days to make jellybeans. The manufacturing process starts with the center. Sugar, corn syrup and other ingredients are cooked in large boilers and then piped to other casting areas. Finally the mix is squirted onto the trays with the egg-shape indentions and dried overnight. There are moisture baths, sugaring and left for 24 - 48 hours. It is during this panning process that the jellybean comes to life. The centers are rotated and sugared which gradually builds its shell. Colors and flavors are added to get the distinct look and taste of the bean. I'm yearning for a taste just thinking about this long process and to think how many millions of beans are made each year.

So whether you eat jellybeans just for Easter, celebrate National Jelly Bean Day on April 22 or indulge in this treat any time of the year-think about fun Easter crafts for kids using jellybeans during this spring season. They can be educational as well!

Sorting Jellybeans

Think math as you teach your child to sort and classify jellybeans. Each child will need an empty egg carton and a handful of jellybeans. Have him place the jellybeans into individual egg cups according to color. Your child can now count how many beans of each color are in the cups. It's hard to resist tasting these math manipulatives. This is a good time to discuss the flavors too!

Graphing Jellybeans

Graphing is a fun activity to get the family involved as each member gives you their preferences of jellybeans. Ask for their favorite color of jellybeans. Make this visual as you post the results on a chart. On one side of the poster, write in all the colors of jellybeans used. On the bottom of the page, write numbers across from 1-10. As the family member gives you his preference, color in one jellybean per answer. Which is the most and least popular color in your household?

Making Patterns with Jellybeans

Give each child a large wooden craft stick. They can glue small jellybeans onto the stick following a sample pattern that you have made. Start with simple patterns of two colors working up to three and four. Example: red, green, red, green OR red, green, yellow, red, green, yellow

VARIATION: Cut paper jellybeans from colored construction paper and glue these onto craft sticks or strips of cardboard.

Anticipation Jar

Make an "anticipation" jar to help your child count down the number of days until Easter, birthday or any special event. Place jellybeans in the jar equal to the number of days leading up to the event, allowing the child to enjoy one piece of candy per day. When the jellybeans are gone, it's time to celebrate!

String a Jellybean Necklace

Young children enjoy making and wearing necklaces that they have made. Cut out a variety of paper jellybeans from colored construction paper. Use a hole punch to make a hole in the center of each bean. Also cut up pieces of plastic straws. Take a length of yarn (enough to easily fit over your child's head) and show your child how to string his necklace using paper beans and straw pieces as spacers. Wrap a piece of tape around one end of the yarn to make a pretend needle, making it easier to thread the pieces. Tie the ends together.

Jellybean Maracas

Gather plastic Easter eggs, they are abundant this time of year. Have your child place a handful of jellybeans inside the one end of the egg. Either glue or tape the egg shut. Play some lively music and with the maracas; shake, shake, shake!!! Another time, see what other items you can put into these eggs to make different sounds. Things such as rice, sand, dried beans, pennies and so on.

Musical Jellybeans

This game is a variation of the traditional "musical chairs." Cut large colorful jellybeans from construction paper. You could laminate (with clear adhesive plastic) these for durability and future use if you wish. Invite friends and family to play. You will need one jellybean per person playing, less one. Tape the large beans in a random fashion on the floor. As you play the music, the children (players) are walking and dancing around the jellybeans. When the music stops, all will hurry to stand on a bean. The player without a bean is out of the game. Take another jellybean off the floor and start the music again. Continue playing until only one player and one jellybean is left.

VARIATION: For very young children, have one jellybean per child. The children need only to step onto a jellybean every time the music stops.

Jelly, Jelly, Bean Game

All children sit in a circle. One player walks around the outside of the circle, touching the heads of each player calling out "jelly." Then he chooses a child and yells "bean" chasing him around the circle to an empty place. "Bean" now becomes "it" and starts the game again. This is a variation of the traditional game, "Duck, Duck, Goose".

Jellybean Toss

Gather up large bottle caps from household items such as laundry detergent caps, caps from aerosol cans, anything that is a couple inches high. Glue these onto a heavy piece of cardboard or a piece of plywood. To play this game, give each child a handful of jellybeans. The player stands a certain distance from the caps and tosses the beans into the caps. Count how many go into the caps. You can decide a winner (the player who placed the most beans inside the cups) or just play for fun!

Jellybean Cookies

Mix up your favorite recipe for sugar cookies or use refrigerator dough. Elongate the circles into an egg shape. Bake as directed. After they cool, frost with vanilla icing. Give your child a handful of jellybeans to decorate her cookie as she wishes. Enjoy this special treat together!

Jellybean Creature

Give your child a piece of paper cut into a jellybean shape. Let him color this and draw on a face. It could be a person, animal, monster; whatever the child desires. Glue this onto a toilet paper tube. With construction paper, add ears, whiskers, feet, hands or any other feature your child wishes. After completed, admire and talk about this jellybean creature!

Think Jellybeans as you plan Easter crafts for kids in your household. They are readily available, colorful and so fun to eat!

Authored by Tania K. Cowling

Source: For history and candy making

www.candyusa.org