Questionable childhood milestone: Allowing your (almost) kindergartener to start playing Minecraft. Does that mean E is officially a “big kid”? It sure feels like it to me.
Screen time in our house is a survival tactic but I hate that the boys could veg out to “surprise eggs” and “unboxing” videos on YouTube Kids for literally hours. If they are going to use the iPad, I would rather it be some sort of game where I can comfort myself by focusing on its “educational” value.
When some of Easton’s friends started to get into Minecraft, I was hesitant. Wasn’t it violent? Didn’t it allow you interact with strangers? I did some research (read: I crowd-sourced my concerns to Facebook mom groups), and took away lots of helpful advice.
First, restrict your younger kids to the mobile version only. The app costs $7.99 but offers a significant reduction in the risks as compared to the PC platform.
Then, set the game to Creative mode so your kids can just build instead of kill. This makes it more like LEGOs, only on the iPad. In Creative mode, the violence aspect is minimized (though not eliminated entirely) and the focus is on the creation and destruction of structures and mechanisms.
Most importantly, set the app to Singleplayer mode to ensure your child isn’t playing against anyone, just building their own creations to their little heart’s desire. In Singleplayer mode, no one can join your child’s game and no one can contact them through the Minecraft chat.
It will be a long time before I left Easton play the PC version of Minecraft, but for now, he’s more than content with Singleplayer Creative Mode on iPad, and so am I.
E was super-excited when I told him we could download the app and promptly informed me that his friend Nathan would be teaching him how to play at their weekend playdate. I figured this was win-win for everyone because a) video games aren’t my forte and b) Easton takes instructions from his friends much better than he does from me.
If I never have to play Minecraft, that will be just fine with me.
I threw together a quick and easy treat to bring to the playdate in honor of our Minecraft milestone. It’s that addictive combination of white chocolate and popcorn, combined with Minecraft-inspired details: the green and brown color scheme of the creepers, checkerboard pretzels and Muddy Buddies to represent the pixel details, plus mini cookies that I’m told are an integral part of the game. (Insert shoulder shrug emoji here.)
This sweet snack mix is always a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s simple and addictive – you might just find yourself munching the entire bowl while your kids immerse themselves in the world of Minecraft.
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Minecraft White Chocolate Popcorn Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 1/2 bag Skinny Pop original (or 1 bag popped microwave popcorn - light butter)
- 2 cups checkerboard pretzels
- 1 bag Chex Mix Muddy Buddies
- 3 mini bags Famous Amos mini chocolate chip cookies
- 1/3 cup green and brown pretzel M&Ms
- 2 Tbsp green and brown mini M&Ms
- 1.75 oz bag lime green shimmer Sixlets chocolate candy
- 1/2 bag light cocoa candy melts
- 1/2 bag dark green candy melts
- Lime green sugar sprinkles
Instructions
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Line your workspace with foil and fold edges up about 1 inch to contain the sprinkles and candy. You’ll need a good size area to work on, so the kitchen table, island, or a clear countertop works best.
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Before getting started, make your candy mixture by separating all of the green and brown pretzel M&Ms and mini M&Ms into a bowl and combining with the lime green shimmer Sixlets chocolate candy. Set aside.
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Spread popcorn across foil in single layer.
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Top with 2 cups of pretzels, scattered evenly.
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Sprinkle Chex Mix Muddy Buddies evenly on top.
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Dot with Famous Amos mini chocolate chip cookies.
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Melt half bag of light cocoa candy melts in the microwave according to package directions. Using a fork, drizzle melted chocolate across the popcorn mixture.
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Before melted chocolate hardens, sprinkle with 1/3 of the candy mixture.
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Melt half bag of dark green candy melts (in a separate bowl) and drizzle across the mixture. Sprinkle with 1/3 of candy mixture.
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Repeat a final time with lime green candy melts (using a third bowl for melting). Sprinkle with remaining candy.
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Sprinkle liberally with lime green sugar sprinkles.
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Let dry thoroughly. Once dry, break into bite-size pieces and clusters.
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Store in an airtight container. Keeps for up to 4 days, but I double it will last that long.
Recipe Notes
- If nut allergies are a concern, replace Chex Mix Muddy Buddies with another flavor, such as Cookies 'n' Cream.
- Candy measurements are approximate and to taste. I used all of the green and brown M&Ms I had in the house. Feel free to add more if you want more chocolate taste.
NeverDoneWithFun.com
Are your kids into Minecraft yet? I don’t get what the fuss is all about but I suppose that’s part of being a parent: Not understanding the things our kids think is cool. I have a feeling this is only the beginning of that trend…
Share your kids’ reactions to this fun Minecraft candy popcorn snack mix with #NeverDoneWithFun!
