Just a bunch of suckers!

I, gratefully, inherited my mother's metal sucker molds.  A few times a year, we get them out and make homemade suckers.  It's always really fun.  This fall, my kids decided to turn it into a family business.  I priced out all the ingredients, calculate how much it would cost to make each sucker (.13) and then asked them how much they wanted to sell them for (.50).  Honestly, they were a little nervous about selling at school, but the first day was a huge hit and they quickly warmed up to the idea.  I spent each afternoon making several new flavors.  I just love the colors!  Aren't they pretty?

The kids were given a certain number of suckers each day and they had to return with the suckers or the correct amount of money.  This way, we knew if anyone was eating/giving away suckers.  I did have to charge a certain child once or twice or suckers they'd eaten themselves.  After a week, the school office was starting to ask questions and we figured we'd better stop.  We sat down and counted out the money.  The kids had made around $75.00.  That's around 300 suckers!!

Some of the flavors included grape, watermelon, cherry, apple, lime, orange, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, and lemon.

 It was decided that all the money collected went into a common pot.  The kids brainstormed what they wanted to do with the money.  Everyone came to a weekly family meeting with ideas which they pitched to each other.   Ultimately, they voted on going to Dave and Buster's.  It is a local arcade/restaurant.  We waited several weeks so we could go on a 1/2 price Wednesday.  The kids had so much fun! 

They spent a little money on lunch and (with a little help from mom) still had plenty of money to play games with.  We spent several hours there eating, playing, and shopping with their earned tickets.  Here are the kids with their loot.

Emma and Aiden both won their big items from the giant claw machine!

It was a fun project for the kids to do together.  As a mom, I am always on the lookout for ways to do that.  Good times!