I have some fun candy science experiments and candy unit study. Also, look at more Best Homeschool Unit Studies.
Also, I have everything you need below including my homemade lollipop recipe for you to try.
Candy is defined as “A confection made with sugar and often flavoring and filling.” by Merriam-Webster.
That covers everything from chocolate to caramels, rock candy, peppermints, and everything in between.
Sticky, sweet, sour, crunchy, chewy, in stick form, chocolatey, syrupy candy.
Too, the science of candy can be very complex and fun to learn.
Very few people don’t love candy in one form or another and I happen to think it makes a great subject for a unique unit study.
Candy Science Experiments
First, look at some of these fun science ideas using candy.
5 Candy Experiments for Kids
Add some of these candy science experiments to your science day to add some fun.
Try this Peppermint Science Experiment! It is an easy and fun way to teach your children about how sugar dissolves when mixed with warm water.
Candy Science: What could be better than an interesting science lesson, with lots of hands-on learning? Then, at the end of all your studies, not only are you smarter but you also get a delicious, sweet candy treat?
Are you on the lookout for exciting and educational activities to enjoy with your curious little ones? Are your kids looking for a fun indoor activity that couples the wonders of science with the joys of eating?
Summer science at its finest! You don’t want to miss this ocean-themed Skittles candy science experiment. Your kids will beg to do it again and again.
Candy canes are plentiful right now and did you know that they make for a tasty, easy, and inexpensive item for science experiments?
Also, look at some of these facts about candy.
8 Candy Facts
- The average person in the United States eats roughly 24 pounds of candy per year.
- National Smarties Day is celebrated on October 2 each year.
- The first candy was created in ancient Egypt over 2,000 years ago. Honey and fruit were used to make a type of hard candy.
- The world’s oldest candy company, founded in 1847, is NECCO (New England Confectionery Company) and is still in business today under the umbrella of Spangler Candy Co.
- The two M’s in M&M stand for Mars and Murrie, Forrest Mars, and Bruce Murrie. They financed and developed the candy-coated goodness that is still popular today.
- There are 64 million Tootsie Rolls made each day.
- Saltwater taffy is not watery, salty, or even made with salt water. Rather it was so named after a flood hit the Atlantic City Boardwalk and a candy store owner said the only thing left was her “saltwater taffy” and it stuck as the name.
- In 1897 dentist William Morrison invented cotton candy along with confectioner John C. Wharton. It was originally called “Fairy Floss” and did not get its current name until the 1920s.
I was inspired to create a fun Candy Science Unit study by Julia Rothman’s Food Anatomy.
Books About Candy
Her series not only has beautiful illustrations but is filled with fun facts, recipes, and inspiration.
It has a nice spread on how candy is made, the different states of sugar, and some classic candy illustrations and info.
There is also a great two-page spread on chocolate as well.
Every good unit study starts with books, in my opinion, not textbooks but good living books like Food Anatomy I listed above, but also fun chapter books for read-aloud or independent reading.
In this case, even candy cookbooks are a great learning tool to use for science and math and sharpening those following directions skills.
Candy Hands-on Activities
Don’t forget to keep it fun and very hands-on to keep them interested, learning, and trying new things. Choose a few of the activities below for your unit study.
- Colorful and simple the Rainbow Skittles and Water Experiment teaches science themes such as developing a hypothesis, making predictions, and stratification.
- Gumdrop Structures is a great STEM Activity teaching your child about engineering, planning, problem-solving, and more.
- This tasty Soft and Chewy Homemade Caramels Recipe also includes a neat science lesson on the chemistry of candy making.
- Try the Pop Rock Science Experiment to learn more about the different states of matter in a fun and delicious way.
- You are going to love Polymer Science: Homemade Fruit Gummies recipe and science experiment.
- Not exactly hands-on but fun and engaging nonetheless watch a candy-themed video like Unwrapped Behind the scenes at 5 Top Candy Factories.
MORE CANDY SCIENCE
Finally, look how to make these homemade lollipops.
Candy Science Experiments How to Make Homemade Lollipops
I highly recommend that for your first try, you make all your lollipops the same.
The candy mixture hardens fast, and you must work quickly once it reaches the hard crack stage to get it into the mold.
You will need:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- Lollipop mold
- Lollipop sticks
- Candy thermometer
- ½ teaspoon of extract/ few drops of candy flavoring oil
- Food coloring-optional
- sprinkles-optional
First, spritz silicone mold lightly with nonstick cooking spray, use a paper towel to wipe out excess.
If using sprinkles add those now to your mold and place sticks in as well, you want to make sure that at least ¼” of the stick is inside the mold.
Place sugar, water, and corn syrup in a small saucepan and place over medium-high heat.
Stir until sugar dissolves.
Make a large bowl of ice water and set to the side, it needs to be large enough to fit your pan.
Insert the candy thermometer on the side of the pan.
Bring mixture to a boil, do not stir at this time.
When the candy thermometer indicates it has reached 310° f (hard crack stage) remove from heat and set the bottom of the pan in the ice bath to stop cooking for just 15-20 seconds.
Be careful to not get water inside the candy mixture.
At this time quickly stir in flavorings and coloring if using any.
Immediately spoon the mixture into the lollipop mold, be sure that it covers the stick.
Allow to completely cool and harden before removing from the mold.
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