Have an Easy Popcorn Family Night

My family loves popcorn (I don't really, but the rest do). So, we have lots of popcorn fun. During the summer, we do brown paper bag popcorn and put powdered sugar and sprinkles for a nice afternoon snack outside. I love that I can control how much of everything is in it!

Doing these brown paper bags made me think of another idea. Have a family movie night and set up a popcorn bar for some added fun. Even if you are watching your butter, fat, sugar, or salt, you can still enjoy popcorn with the rest of the family. Even flavored popcorns can be healthy if you find the right kind, like SkinnyPop for example. If you mention popcorn to my kids, they get excited (they were even given huge popcorn tins from a family friend for Christmas).

Making brown paper bag popcorn is so easy that it is ridiculous. It is actually pretty healthy too (just watch what you use for toppings). 

1. Put 1/4 cup popcorn kernels in a lunch size brown paper bag. 
2. Fold the top of the bag down a couple of times. Make sure it is secure
3. Microwave until there are 3 seconds between pops- it usually takes us 2.5 minutes. 
4. Carefully Remove and enjoy!

You will probably want to split this up into multiple bags for everyone to enjoy their own way. For us, this makes plenty for both kids and some left over. you could also use cups, cones, treat bags, and popcorn boxes to serve this in. If you can find the large ones, ice cream cones would also make great containers.

There are so many things you can use as toppings- you probably have many sitting around the house. 

sprinkles

salt/ pepper

chili powder

cajun seasoning

parmesan

shredded cheese

cinnamon

powdered sugar

nuts

chocolate chips

m&m s

crushed cookies

crushed peppers

hot sauce

chocolate syrup

caramel

coconut

crushed peppermint

fruit

gummy bears

jellybeans

cereal

peanut butter chips

olives

dried fruit

basically- think of things on frozen yogurt bars and even on salad bars!

Seriously, the possibilities are endless!

Just set all the toppings out on the table, give everyone some popcorn, and go to town.

Doing a popcorn night is perfect for a family movie night, camping, fireworks, and even hanging out by the fire pit. There are many other times that this would make a great addition. I actually did one for the kids "dem bones" Halloween party last year. Some other ideas are:

1. Sleepover

2. Any Birthday party

3. Retirement Party

4. Wedding

5. Scout meetings

6. Sports team get-togethers (you could even do a simple form of this when it is your turn as team mom for snacks). 

7. Church fellowship meetings

8. Holiday Parties

9. Any kind of gathering that you want to provide food or snacks at on a limited budget. 

10. For Easter and other holidays, you could do this and ask people to bring appetizers instead of having a big meal. 

I hope I have inspired you to have some popcorn fun. We love our popcorn fun!