The history of popcorn dates all the way back to Indigenous American, Central American, and South American peoples, who have been eating it and using it as clothing decoration for over 5,600 years.
According to the online Farmer’s Almanac, popcorn, the movie theater and state fair staple, continues to be one of the most popular snacks in America, with the U.S. consuming over 14 billion quarts annually each year. It’s no wonder National Popcorn Day rates its own holiday on Friday, January 19, so mark your calendar and celebrate our national popping craze!
To help families celebrate National Popcorn Day in creative style, Melissa & Doug is happy to provide a FREE popcorn-themed Printable activity for kids: a More Popcorn Please coloring sheet that asks kids to figure out which container boasts more popcorn. The fun’s about to “pop” off with this National Popcorn Day printable activity for kids—enjoy!
Get your FREE National Popcorn Day Printable Activity for Kids NOW >>>
Pretend play fun from Melissa & Doug to celebration National Popcorn Day (January 19)
Hey parents and caregivers: If you want to keep the National Popcorn Day fun going, let us recommend some popcorn-themed and popcorn-adjacent pretend play items that will engage your child for hours of open-ended, screen-free imaginative play.
We have thoughtfully curated a half-dozen Melissa & Doug pretend play items perfectly suited for National Popcorn Day fun. Scroll on to take a deeper dive into our tasty popcorn-themed pretend play!
Fun at the Fair! Popcorn Play Set
Turn any day into Fair Day! Satisfy hungry imaginations by popping and serving pretend play carnival popcorn! Pretend to empty kernels into the kettle, add jumbo popcorn pieces, and tip into the wooden tabletop popcorn machine. Crank the handle on the side to make the pieces jiggle and jump! Scoop popcorn into 2 classic popcorn containers, press the butter pump, and pretend to season. Includes play money to let kids three and older be the vendor or the customer at an at-home fair.
SKILLS: Counting, cause-and-effect; encourages fine motor skills
Stainless Steel Pots & Pans Play Set
Kids will need some kitchen items for additional pretend popcorn play. This play set features shiny stainless steel cookware Mom and Dad would envy! Generously sized (5-inch diameter) for a more realistic look and feel, the colander and three pans (with interchangeable lid) fit most play food items for exciting restaurant and kitchen play, and store neatly on a convenient storage rack when the kitchen is closed. All of the handles and knobs feature sturdy riveted joints that won't weaken and wear like welding or glue. With two hardwood utensils included and stainless steel pieces polished to a gorgeous mirror-finish, this set is truly top shelf!
SKILLS: Encourages gross & fine motor skills; imaginative play; storytelling
Wooden Chef's Kitchen - Charcoal, Cloud, or Cupcake
You need someplace with a stove and/or microwave to pop up that popcorn! Budding young chefs can hone their craft in our beautifully designed modern play kitchens, which come in three styles: Charcoal, Cloud, or Cupcake. The easy-to-assemble chef's kitchen includes a refrigerator/freezer with innovative working ice maker that dispenses two included "ice cubes," an oven and stove top with dials that turn, microwave with turning plate, sink with moving faucet and handle, grocery checklist, movable hooks, and ample shelving and storage for easy cleanup. Detailed, illustrated instructions make the kitchens simple to put together. Please note: Play kitchen accessories sold separately.
SKILLS: Encourages gross & fine motor skills; imaginative play; storytelling
Thirst Quencher Dispenser
All that pretend popcorn is bound to make a kid thirsty, so quench a thirst for pretend play with this wooden ice and drink dispenser! Kids can order four different kinds of "juices" (orange, apple, fruit punch, or grape) on a reusable menu card. Load the durable plastic ice cubes and drink insert into the dispenser, turn the dial and press the lever, and voilà! "Chilled drinks" drop into the cups! Kids 3+ will love playing restaurant, lunch counter, or just creating cool pretend drinks to order to go with their popcorn treat!
SKILLS: Encourages fine motor skills; imaginative play; storytelling
Super Smile Dentist Play Set
If you enjoy eating popcorn, you're bound to get something stuck in your teeth—it's just a rule of life. Good thing the dentist will see you now! This 25-piece dental care play set features an over-sized set of pretend teeth so young dentists-in-training can give cleanings, treat cavities, and even fit retainers and braces! Mark the pretend teeth with the cavity stickers, then use the vibrating tool with interchangeable polishing and drill heads, and the toothbrush to clean. The set includes realistic instruments like a pick, mirror, and floss, a dental rinse bottle and cup, 2 gauze pads, 2 tooth polish cups, and an instrument tray to keep organized. A mask, reusable ID tag on a lanyard, and a double-sided reusable activity card round out the dentist’s office experience.
SKILLS: A fun, engaging way to teach good dental health practices, and to ease kids’ fears or feelings of stress associated with a visit to the dentist. Encourages fine motor skills, storytelling, and imaginative play.
Dust! Sweep! Mop!
Kids + popcorn fun = clean-up time at the end! This six-piece play set gives kids all the housekeeping tools they need to keep things clean. Sized just for kids and built to last, the broom, mop, duster, dustpan, and hand brush are comfortable to use and easy to store--just hang them from the sturdy cords onto the included stand for neat, compact storage. (The dustpan can also snap onto any of the handles.) Natural-wood handles add durability and a classic look; bright pops of color keeps lots of fun in the mix!
SKILLS: Encourages gross & fine motor skills, storytelling, and imaginative play; helps teach good clean-up practices, and personal accountability
BONUS PLAY TIP #1: Popcorn-Themed Sensory Bin Activity for Kids (Pre-popped!)
Credit to the EntertainYourToddler.Com blog for this idea: Fill a bin with unpopped popcorn kernels (they come in colors such as red, blue, black, yellow, white, and more), add measuring cups/spoons, containers, funnels, and whatever else your imagination can conjure to create a popcorn-themed sensory bin for preschoolers and kids that helps them develop key practical life skills, such as fine and gross motor skills, cause-and-effect, comparison-contrast, and more.
BONUS PLAY TIP #2: Popcorn-Themed Sensory Activity for kids (Popped!)
Here’s a fun popcorn-themed activity that turns into a tasty treat for participants: Popcorn and the 5 Senses Activity! Unflavored microwave popcorn will work in a pinch (nothing with butter or flavored toppings; they turn into a mess). But the author at CarmelMountainPreschool.com blog recommends using the classic air popper for best results. Show kids the uncooked popcorn kernels, then add them to the machine. What do kids SEE, SMELL and HEAR as the popcorn cooks? How does it FEEL when they pick it up? What does it TASTE like…with salt & butter?! This activity is a super- fun way to get kids thinking about how they interact with the world around them.
Click on these links for more great toy- & play-themed blogs from Melissa & Doug!
Shop All Melissa & Doug Arts & Crafts
Toys that Grow with Your Child
5 Fundamental Skills You Can Teach Kids Through Play
Toy Spotlight: Fun at the Fair! Snow-Cone & Slushie Play Set
Throw a Melissa & Doug Pizza and Ice Cream Party at Home!
Play That Helps Give ALL Kids the Confidence to Be Themselves
