National Gumdrop Day — February 15

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I wanted to share a new #holiday with you which takes me back to my grandparent’s house as a child. Join use as we celebrate National Gumdrop Day which falls on February 15th. I don’t know about you but Charlie and I will pass on #Gumdrops. As for David I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t like Gumdrops. What about you?

National Gumdrop Day — February 15– #NationalGumdropDay • Holiday Facts, Lesson Plan & Recipe

Holiday Facts

• Gumdrops have been around since the 1800s. Gumdrops were originally used in baking and candy crafting.
• The classic flavors of Gumdrops include cherry, lemon, orange, grape, and lime.
• There is also a “spice drop” variation that includes cinnamon, clove, and mint flavors.
• I wanted to remind you Gumdrops are often used in gingerbread houses, math manipulatives, and STEM building challenges.
• National Gumdrop Day celebrates creativity, candy history, and hands‑on fun for kids

Homeschool Lesson Plan

Ages: Preschool – Middle School– Theme: Candy Science, Math, Reading & Art

1. Warm‑Up Activity: What Is a Gumdrop?

• Take your children on #FieldTrip to purchase real gumdrops and explore the different colors.
• Ask: What colors do you see? What shapes? How do they feel?
• Introduce vocabulary: translucent, chewy, coated, flavor, texture.

2. Reading Time — Books About Candy & Sweets

Preschool–Early Elementary

• Curious George Makes Maple Syrup (sweet‑themed science)
• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (cause & effect)
• The Candy Factory Mystery (fun early reader)

Upper Elementary–Middle School

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (themes: imagination, invention)
• The Candymakers by Wendy Mass (STEM + mystery)
• Candy Experiments by Loralee Leavitt (perfect for hands‑on science)

3. Math with Gumdrops

Preschool–1st Grade

• Sort gumdrops by color
• Create simple patterns (AB, AAB, ABC)
• Count and graph how many of each color

2nd–5th Grade

• Measure gumdrops using non‑standard units
• Create bar graphs
• Practice fractions using gumdrop groups

Middle School

• Calculate percentages of each color
• Explore ratios (e.g., red to green gumdrops)
• Build geometric shapes using gumdrops + toothpicks

4. Science: Gumdrop STEM Challenge

Challenge: Build the tallest tower using gumdrops and toothpicks. Skills: engineering, stability, weight distribution, teamwork.

Extension: Test which gumdrop color is strongest by pressing gently with a spoon.

5. Art Activity

• Create a gumdrop mosaic using paper cutouts or real gumdrops
• Draw a gumdrop machine and label its parts
• Make a National Gumdrop Day poster for your homeschool wall

Kid‑Friendly Recipe: Gumdrop Cookie Bars– Easy, colorful, and perfect for little helpers

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 stick melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup chopped gumdrops (avoid black ones for flavor balance)
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Stir in chopped gumdrops.
4. Spread into a greased 9×13 pan.
5. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden.
6. Cool completely before cutting (gumdrops get hot).

Optional: Add white chocolate drizzle for extra sweetness.

Books About Gumdrops or Candy Themes (All Ages)

Ages 3–6

• The Jellybeans and the Big Dance
• Curious George and the Chocolate Factory (sweet‑themed fun)

Ages 7–10

• The Candy Corn Contest
• The Chocolate Touch

Ages 10–14

• The Candymakers
• Candy Experiments (great for homeschool)

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates