Halloween Jello Worms

Ok, talk about GROSSOME (gross + awesome, but you knew that, right?)!

I’ve discovered the way to best replicate the worm color in the easiest manner possible with my recipe and technique. Note that there are many versions of this recipe and method across the Internet, so I can’t claim the idea as my own. Unfortunately, I don’t know the originator, but he or she is a genius… and very patient!

DISCLAIMER:

Part of this tutorial takes patience and a little experimentation to really get it right. If you don’t want messy hands, cutting board, bowls, and possibly children + a sore thumb, skip this activity!

Let’s get started quickly! If you are a watch and learn type of person, watch the video below. If you want to read on, scroll to the bottom of the video.

INGREDIENTS and SUPPLIES:

• 100 “bend-y” straws
• 4 rubber bands
• 6 oz flavored gelatin
• 3/4 oz unflavored gelatin
• 3 c. boiling water
• 3/4 c. whipping cream

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare your straws by pulling the bendable part straight.
2. Bunch the straws together with the bendable part down. Secure with 3 rubber bands (bottom, middle, top)
3. Place a sandwich bag underneath the straws and secure with a rubber band. This will prevent some of the liquid from escaping the straws.
4. If your straws came in a rectangular container, put them back into it (bag, rubber bands, and all!) Then, place the container and/or the straw-bag combo into a cup.
5. If you really want to be safe, place the cup into a bowl. Set aside.
6. Combine the flavored and unflavored gelatin in a bowl.
7. Add the boiling water and stir until all gelatin is dissolved.
8. Add the whipping cream and stir until integrated.
9. Carefully (and preferably using a bowl or container with a spout) pour the liquid gelatin mixture into your bundle of straws.
10. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Now… 3 hours later…

Watch and see OR skip to the below.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Get all of the escaped jello worm guts out from around your straws. Take off the bag and all rubber bands, and separate the straws.
2. Let the straws sit out for 5-10 minutes or take a few and run them under water, be careful not to let water inside the straws. (IMPORTANT: if you don’t do this step, you will be fighting the jello, and NO ONE wins in a jello fight. No one.)
3. Scrape the jello out of the straws using a hard-edged tool, such as a stone wear scraper, spoon, spatula, or other.
4. Put all of your jello worms in a bowl and serve. If you are saving the worms for a party, put them in the refrigerator, but note that they will likely meld together. If they do fuse together, that’s ok! Just use a spoon to take a chunk of the worm glob. Or… you can flip the pile of worms over and it’ll look like a brain. ICK!

Have fun and don’t work too hard. After all, we’re talking worms and jello here. Between my impatience the day I did this, my coughing kiddos and stubborn jello worms, I certainly needed a nap. Don’t let the same happen to you – warm those wormies up!

What do you think of this activity? Worth it? Comment below with your thoughts!