Give your kids the party of a life time and show them how to make their favorite snack. Throw a Candy Making Party and watch them eat all their worries away (all the worries a child could possibly have).
This post is sponsored by Wilton.
One of the best things I have been able to do as a chocolatier is to share my passion for candy making with kids.
Years ago my sister asked if I would allow her daughter's girl scout troop to visit my candy shop to learn how to make chocolates. The day the girls arrived, I had set up my kitchen so they could each hand paint a candy lollipop, dip goodies into chocolate, and make their own special version of chocolate bark.
They loved it, and I did too.
From that day forward, I began hosting candy making parties and just had one for my friend's kids recently and thought it would be fun to show you how to host a similar party in your own kitchen.
I keep the parties simple, showing the kids how they can make candy at home.To get ready for your own candy making party you'll need to get some supplies: candy molds, Candy Melts, food use paint brushes, lollipop sticks, dipping tools, paper plates, parchment paper, and paper towels.
Before the kids arrive melt the Candy Melts and keep them warm. I like to use small mason jars filled with the candy coating which I keep warm in an electric skillet that is filled with hot water. I can keep candy melted like this all day long.
Check out my tutorial on How to Make Hand Painted Chocolate Lollipops for detailed instructions on setting up your own skillet filled with melted candy coating.
Cover the table with pieces of parchment or wax paper. It will get messy, and this makes clean up so easy.
I usually allow each child to paint one lollipop, but you could do more, you just need to make sure you have room in your freezer for all of the molds. I use letter trays, the kind you find in an office supply store, to add extra shelves in my freezer. The candy molds fit on them perfectly.
Allow the kids to get creative, to choose the colors they want to paint their lollipops. One of my favorite things about hosting these parties is seeing how colorful the kids make their lollipops. That's a unicorn being painted with orange, blue and red.
Wilton makes really great Melting Pots (the white and purple pot behind the skillet) which can keep your Candy Melts at the perfect temperature all afternoon too. They will hold several bags of Candy Melts and are great if you are planning to make lots of lollipops or have the kids dip lots of goodies.
Kids really love learning how to dip things like cake pops, cookies, marshmallows and rice krispie treats into chocolate.
Of course, you will probably end up with a floater or two, things that fall off the sticks in the candy coating. Just scoop it out and let the child try again.
The kids each dipped two cake balls into chocolate then added some chopped peanuts.
Give each child a paper plate and some goodies to dip, coat or drizzle, and don't forget the sprinkles, kids love sprinkles and the lip on the paper plates keeps them from going all over the table.
Wilton has some new Candy Melt Dipping Tools that are great to use for a candy making party.There is a metal skewer that is great to use instead of lollipop sticks for marshmallows and rice krispie treats.
The dipping fork and spoon are perfect for dipping cookies, big and small.
The new Dipping Tongs have a rubber tip so even kids will have an easy time holding onto graham crackers and pretzels to dip them in the candy melts without making a mess.
My favorite new tool is the Drizzling Scoop. It's a spoon with a channel that allows the candy melts to pour out in a thin stream.
By this point in the party, the kids are getting anxious to try a treat.
The smile on their faces happened just as they heard that they would be allowed to sample their goodies soon.
The best part of the party is when the kids show off their creations.
They are always so proud of what they've made, but usually are even more excited to eat them.
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angela klein says
Love making candy treats!! Candy melts are so easy to work with.
Jennie says
I have custody of my three grandchildren. The girls are 6 year old twins and the 4 1/2 year old boy has some disabilities. I am constantly looking for ideas for them to do. We recently toured the candy house in our town. They loved it and wanted to go back.
Anonymous says
Have never made candy with the kids, but this looks like a fun time for all! bjn1957{at}gmail{dot}com
Leela says
Yes, we have made candy together. It's messy, fun and delicious.
Chriss says
My son is a little young to do this yet, but I can't wait till he's older and we can try it! 🙂
sharonjo says
I've made things using candy with my kids--candy cane reindeer at Christmastime, train cars made out of candy, etc... I've never made the actual candy though. Looks like fun! Thank you.
sharonjo at gwtc dot net
Shannon, John, Madelyn and Charlotte says
We've done cake pops. It was a bit difficult, but lots of fun!
TuttleDB says
We've made chocolate-covered pretzels and the chocolate caramel pretzels. I love you're candy warming station -- gotta remember that!
Sheree says
What a great way to have a unisex party and not have to rely on a theme for either boys or girls. Everyone has fun and is able to be creative.
Danielle Doerr says
I don't have kids but my boyfriend and I have make those candy lollipops and the homemade Reese's PB cups too. Instead of an electric skillet we use a crock pot filled with water - works perfectly!
The Partiologist says
What a wonderful time the kids must have had, you must be very patient to let them have so much fun! I remember trying to make homemade taffy with my girls on a snow day!
Anonymous says
My daughter and I love to make candy pieces!
buncolady says
I did do some chocolate dipping, candy making with my kids but I totally forgot about it but I do need to introduce it to my grandkids. How fun! Thanks for the inspiration!
Tammigirl says
We have made TONS of cake pops and truffles - we've done some straight candy making, too. It's all so much fun. I did it growing up as a kid - with our electric skillet and little jars, just like you do.
Crunchy Con Mommy says
Usually I make candy for my son, but he's almost 5 so maybe I'll let him help next time!
Michelle says
My kids and I make chocolate suckers every Christmas for their friends. We love the variety of molds available now.
Anonymous says
I've done many candy parties for scout troops. They love it.
My grandchildren also love to make candy treats.
Deb says
when my children were little, this was one of their favorite activities. I can hardly wait to do it with my grandchildren!
dmyoung says
I never have, but it looks like so much fun!
Meryl says
My son is just two so we haven't done it yet. However I think it may be on the agenda this summer!! I love making cake pops for his school. The kids love them and they are just the right size for littles!!