Popcorn and Candy

What You need:

• Popped popcorn
• 2 paper bags
• 2 plates
• Chocolate candies
• Sour candies
• Microwave oven
• Paper
• Pencil

What You Do:

1. Have your child divide the popcorn into the two paper bags.
2. Let your child add the chocolate candies to one of the bags.
3. Have her roll the top of the bag to close it.
4. Make sure her hand is securely holding the top of the bag before letting her shake it.
5. Have her place the bag in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds.
6. Help her check to see if the candy has started to melt. If not, microwave for another 30 seconds.
7. Have your child take out the bag and pour the heated contents onto a plate.
8. Now let her add the sour candies to the remaining bag of popcorn.
9. Have her carefully repeat steps 3-7 with this second bag of popcorn and candy.
10. Set the two plates side by side and study them with your child. Which one looks yummier to her? Have her think about all her senses -- except taste! That will come later. Do the two plates of popcorn smell the same? How do the melted chocolates feel compared to the melted sour candies?
11. Have her use a pencil to write down her observations on a piece of paper.
12. Time for the fun part of the test! Let your child make her final observation by comparing the taste of both popcorns.
13. Which one does she like better? Have her write down her answer. Was it the same one she predicted she would like based on looks alone?
14. Brainstorm with your child other tasty ingredients that might go well with popcorn. Nuts, fruit or pretzels are all fun options to try.