Age group(s) for this recipe:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Estimated time:
30-45 minutes, if wrapped/tied in bags.

Number of servings:
At least 10-12 popcorn balls.

Ingredients: (Hit your return key to start a new line)
2/3 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

Popcorn, 3 quarts, Plus* (12 cups) It's good to have a bit extra! Shake the heavy, underpopped and unpopped kernels to the bottom of bowl, and then scoop and transfer only popped and fluffy corn to another bowl. This prevents cracking a tooth! *Make a bit more than stated amount and set some extra aside.

Directions:
Mix all 3 ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches boiling point and then boils 2 minutes (after 1 full minute, it's probably fine to turn off the heat!).

That's Big Kid/Adult activity, and so is the following: Gradually pour syrup over 3 quarts of popcorn, stirring constantly until evenly coated.

At this point, you look at your mixture and you can add more popcorn if you desire. I like to add all I can and still have the corn stick together! ;-) Besides; that extra stirring action helps the mixture to cool just enough to handle without having to ice down burns on your hands!!!
(Caution, caution, caution, especially with little people around.)

A small amount of butter rubbed over the hands will prevent sticking as the mixture is formed into Popcorn Balls. When they are totally cool, bag 'em in un-fancy sandwich bags, and tie on some colorful curling ribbon for a festive look.

Other suggestions and comments:
Good for Halloween parties (but not for handing out to kids that come to the door; they'll end up in Trash). Good for Christmas. In places where snow seldom falls, call them Snow Balls. Ribbons can be used to attach 'em to a Kid's Christmas tree, with stuff like gingerbread cookies and candy canes, etc.

I have some really Huge aluminum mixing bowls, so I tend to double the recipe and knock out about 2 dozen at a time, vs. doing it twice.

We use air popped popcorn. If you use microwave type, it'll probably take at least 3 bags full, be Xtra careful about picking out unpopped corn, and
Leave Out the Salt!!!