Kids will love this edible marshmallow octopus craft that’s sweet, salty, and scrumptious! Learn how to make it and print the directions.
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Kids can enjoy craft time and satisfy their sweet tooth with this cute and fun Marshmallow Octopus recipe. No baking required so you don’t have to turn on your oven. It’s perfect to make on a summer day, for an after-school treat, or make as ocean-themed party treats! They can be made to eat now or later when you follow our easy directions.
Octopus Marshmallow Pops are so fun to make because it gives kids time to play with their food as they craft. Food crafts are a great time to introduce new tastes and textures because when kids get involved with making their food they are more likely to eat it. This recipe calls for all kid-friendly ingredients and I also have allergy recommendations to make it dairy-free.
See all our Kid Friendly Food Recipes Here.
See all our Ocean Themed Activities Here.
You may also enjoy Octopus Activities for Kids, making an octopus yarn craft, or making microwavable marshmallow fondant for kids to eat or play with like edible clay.
Tips for Making Food Crafts with Kids
If you don’t want all the yummy supplies to disappear before craft time is over, it is best to let children know that eating-time is when their craft is complete, or another designated place like when they get home.
Also, when crafting with more than one child, you may want to sort the supplies onto a paper plate. That way each child can have a plate full of the ingredients they need. (This can cut down on spreading germs too).
If children are taking their finished marshmallow octopus home to eat, have a plastic or cellophane bag ready to put it in. Then, they can also write their name on their bag to make sure they take home the right octopus.
Allergy Recommendations
Before any food project with kids, make sure to check with their parents for any food allergies.
Enjoy Life makes dairy-free and gluten-free food for kiddos (and adults) with allergies. It is a great alternative for those who need to replace the melting chocolates (read the ingredients and manufacturing information).
Tip: To make the Enjoy Life dairy free chocolate ready for dipping, add a bit of coconut oil (or another allergy friendly oil) to the chocolate until it becomes smooth and ready for dipping.
Tips for using Candy Melts or Melting Chocolate
When I first started using melting chocolate I failed several times because I was not patient enough. I would scorch the chocolate in a pot that was too hot and at one point I even added water to my chocolate which is a big no-no.
Try using a chocolate melting pot to avoid burned or scorched chocolate. A chocolate melting pot was the best present I ever bought my daughter because it is so easy to use, she surprises me with chocolate treats all the time!
If your melting chocolate becomes too hard, add a little oil, not water.
FAVORITE OCTOPUS BOOKS TO READ TOGETHER:
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Marshmallow Octopus Craft
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Supplies:
Baking Sheet
Small Sauce Pan, Double Boiler, or Candy Melter (The candy melter is my favorite fool-proof way to melt candy melts or chocolate and it’s safe for kids to use)
Paper Straws or Toothpicks
Ingredients:
1 piece of Fruit Loop cereal or Cheerios
Directions:
Line your baking sheet with waxed paper.
Start melting the candy melts according to the directions on the package. Make sure not to scorch the candy melt. If it is too thick add some vegetable oil or coconut oil to the candy melts so that the chocolate is pourable.
Dip 8 pretzel sticks into the candy melt to make the tentacles. Place them on the wax paper in a circular pattern to harden.
Drop a small dollop of melted candy coating in the center of each burst to hold the eight pretzels together.
Poke a straw into the middle of the marshmallow. Hold the straw and dip the marshmallow into the candy melt. Place the dipped marshmallow on top of the center of the tentacles.
Quickly add the candy eyes and cereal mouth. If the candy melt hardens before the eyes and mouth are added you can add a dab of frosting to the back of them and stick them on.
Pop them in the fridge until they are ready to be eaten.
Print the Directions Here:
Marshmallow Octopus Craft
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Wax Paper
- Small Sauce Pan, Double Boiler, or Candy Melter
- Paper Straws or Toothpicks
Ingredients
- 1 Large Marshmallow
- 8 Pretzel Sticks
- 1 piece of Fruit Loop cereal or Cheerios
- 2 Candy Eyes
Instructions
- Line your baking sheet with waxed paper.Start melting the candy melts according to the directions on the package. Make sure not to scorch the candy melt. If it is too thick add some vegetable oil or coconut oil to the candy melts so that the chocolate is pourable. Dip 8 pretzel sticks into the candy melt to make the tentacles. Place them on the wax paper in a circular pattern to harden.Drop a small dollop of melted candy coating in the center of each burst to hold the eight pretzels together.Poke a straw into the middle of the marshmallow. Hold the straw and dip the marshmallow into the candy melt. Place the dipped marshmallow on top of the center of the tentacles. Quickly add the candy eyes and cereal mouth. If the candy melt hardens before the eyes and mouth are added you can add a dab of frosting to the back of them and stick them on. Pop them in the fridge until they are ready to be eaten.