The air is warmer, the days are longer and the flowers are finally beginning to bloom. This can only mean one thing—the start of spring! Celebrate the season (and put the long, cold winter behind you!) by pairing two of your favorite pastimes: crafting and eating.
Following are some surprisingly simple food crafts to help you welcome spring with fun flavor and fabulous flare:
1. Candy tree
Place florist’s foam inside a small terra-cotta pot. Gather some sturdy branches from your yard (or a craft store) and push them securely into the foam to create a “tree.” Cover the foam with moss and plastic, candy-filled eggs.
Next, cut seasonal scrapbook paper into 5" squares. Roll the squares into cone shapes and secure them with hot glue. Punch a hole into the top of each cone, attach a decorative ribbon and hang it from the tree. Fill each cone with colorful candy.
2. Marshmallow pops
Slide three jumbo marshmallows onto a lollipop stick. Melt some white chocolate wafers in the microwave. Use a spoon to completely coat the marshmallows with the melted chocolate and allow it to harden.
While the chocolate is hardening, add some bright, spring-colored candy melts (think pink, purple, blue and yellow!) to individual plastic baggies. Microwave each baggy for approximately 20 seconds and reheat in 15-second increments until the candy is completely melted. Then cut a small hole in the corner of the baggy and artfully drizzle the eye-catching candy onto the marshmallows. Repeat the process with the remaining colors. Display your stunning seasonal pops on a lollipop stand for all to admire.
3. Clothespin butterflies
Use markers or paint to transform plain clothespins into colorful butterfly bodies. Create curly antennae with bright pipe cleaners. Glue them onto each clothespin, along with a set of googly eyes.
Next, pour small colorful candies into sandwich bags. Seal each bag, secure the clothespin in the center and voilà—butterfly wings! This is a great seasonal craft for small children.
4. Flower pretzel bites
Place several small square- or circle-shaped pretzels onto a microwave-safe plate and cover each with a white chocolate melting wafer. Microwave until the chocolate begins to soften. Then add a small, round, pastel chocolate candy to the center of each pretzel square and surround it with additional candies in a contrasting color.
Allow the candies to set and then arrange the pretzel bites on a tray with chocolate and/or marshmallow chicks and bunnies to create an eye-catching Easter scene.
5. Graham cracker bird houses
Use melted white chocolate wafers to secure graham crackers in the shape of a small house. Hold the graham crackers in place for approximately 20 seconds to ensure they have adhered to the chocolate. If desired, also use the chocolate to attach a pretzel stick “perch” to the floor of the bird house.
Next, create a nest on the floor of the house with toasted coconut flakes. To complete this cute craft, add some small chocolate eggs and a marshmallow chick.
6. Mason jar bunny
Last but certainly not least, comes the easiest craft of all! Place colorful Easter grass in the bottom of a clean mason jar. Add a chocolate bunny to the center of the jar and surround it with jelly beans or small candy eggs. Screw the lid onto the jar and tie a decorative ribbon around it. This clever craft can even replace your Easter baskets!
