Family Activity ~ Campfire Popcorn Popper

The holidays are approaching soon.

If you need a little project to keep the young

and/or young-at-heart busy,

here is a fun little project you might try.

There are some pretty simple supplies needed:

a tin can (with lid - see below)

a stick - appropriate length 3' or so

a small nail or a wood screw
a drill or screw-driver

a dab of butter

some popcorn kernels

salt (optional)
possibly a chop saw or small hand saw

a campfire (or suitable substitute)

 Go ahead and gather your supplies.
When I open a can, I leave about 1/2-3/4 inch uncut so I can use it as a lid.
And oh yes, wash can - do I really need to say that? But if I didn't:)

 Cut one end of the stick blunt.

 I tapped a hole in the side of the can to make it easier.

Then use either a drill or screw-driver to attach the can to the stick.

Now go ahead and add butter and popping corn.
Note: I found only one option for actual popping corn.  All the other
options were for the microwave which I think is a bit sad.

 Close the lid so the kernels don't pop out.
If you have young ones doing this, warn them about the lid and
teach them how to 'use' it so they don't get cut.
(My belief is to teach children how not to get hurt rather than protecting 
them from the possibility of getting hurt, but that's me.)

 If you don't have a campfire, you could use a wood stove like I did here,
a simple stove top burner, or the burner on the BBQ.
Be patient. . . hear it?  One popped!
Let it keep going.
I have to say, the little kid in me lit up when it started popping.

You may then either eat your popped corn or string it up for the tree.

I do have a confession to make.
I don't usually eat or make popped corn, but I think it looks great on the tree.
Keeping that in mind :) my first go round,
I put the can in the very hot coals/flame and burnt it.
So the second go round, I only added about a tablespoon of kernels
to the can to pop.
This time I just found a moderately hot spot and waited.
They popped up beautifully, but that's why there's not much in the bowl.
Nothing like the smell of burnt popcorn in the house.
Go ahead and laugh, and learn from my mistake, I would.

It is a fun activity for young and old alike.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches