Every April 22nd, lovers of all things chewy and colorful come together to honor one of the most iconic candies of all time: the jelly bean. Whether you’re a fan of the bright fruity flavors, the nostalgic black licorice, or the daring and unusual, National Jelly Bean Day is your excuse to dive in—no guilt necessary.
1. Host a Jelly Bean Tasting Party
Lay out a rainbow assortment of jelly beans—from classic fruit flavors to the adventurous Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans—and let guests sample and vote on their favorites. Create a simple tasting scorecard and include categories like flavor, color, texture, and “surprise factor.” Bonus points for blindfolded rounds.
2. Play the Guess-the-Count Game
Fill a clear jar with jelly beans and challenge your family, coworkers, or party guests to guess how many are inside. Offer a sweet prize to whoever gets closest. It’s a fun and easy activity for classrooms, offices, or family gatherings—and makes for a great fundraiser if you include a donation to guess.
3. Get Crafty with Jelly Bean Art
Use jelly beans like a colorful mosaic material. Grab a canvas, glue, and an outline of your favorite character or pattern, then fill it in with jelly beans. From cartoon characters to abstract art, it’s a hands-on project that’s surprisingly satisfying—and edible, too, if you get hungry mid-masterpiece.
4. Bake with Jelly Beans
Jelly beans aren’t just for snacking. Toss them into cookie dough, press them into cake frosting, or melt them into colorful candy bark. Some popular ideas include:
- Jelly bean sugar cookies
- Jelly bean-stuffed cupcakes
- Piñata cakes filled with jelly beans
- Jelly bean fudge or bark
These treats are especially popular with kids, but adults can’t resist the sweet nostalgia either.
5. Make Your Own Jelly Beans
Yes, you can actually make homemade jelly beans. While it takes a bit of effort and a few ingredients (like gelatin, sugar, juice, and cornstarch), it’s a rewarding challenge. Find a recipe online, grab some jelly bean molds, and get to cooking. You’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the tiny treat that takes over a week to make.
6. Try a Jelly Bean Cocktail
Toast the occasion with a cocktail inspired by your favorite jelly bean flavors. From fruity vodka mixes to licorice-spiced drinks with Ouzo, the flavor possibilities are wide open. Just like the candy itself, it’s best to taste test a few to find your perfect match.
7. Celebrate the Underdogs (Black Licorice Lovers Unite)
Some love them, some hate them—but black jelly beans deserve their day in the spotlight. If you’re a fan, enjoy them proudly. If you’re not, share them with someone who is. After all, Jelly Bean Day is about embracing the full spectrum of taste.
8. Learn the History of the Jelly Bean
Take a few moments to dive into the history behind your favorite treat. From their likely inspiration in Turkish delight to their rise in American Easter traditions, jelly beans have a surprisingly rich backstory—including presidential preferences, space travel cameos, and cultural slang usage.
Final Thought Whether you’re baking, crafting, sipping, or simply snacking, National Jelly Bean Day is all about enjoying life’s little bursts of sweetness. And maybe, just maybe, discovering a new favorite flavor along the way.
