Popcorn isn't just for eating. Over the ages, popcorn has been used in a variety of ways other than filling the belly during a movie. One that comes quick to mind is stringing popcorn together for decorative garland to go on the Christmas tree. Fun popcorn ideas are just limited by the imagination.

A recent post at the Mommies with Cents website shared some fun popcorn ideas that would be great for families and inspired us to share some popcorn activities we've participated in over the years. The ideas  below work best with hot air popped popcorn.

Create 3D popcorn art

With Elmer's glue and colorful markers, you and your kids can create wonderful 3 dimensional art. Pour popped popcorn on a table and have your kids pick through them. Ask them if they see parts of animals, like a head, body, legs and feets. This is a great imagination builder similar to seeing shapes in the clouds. Your kids will get excited as the shapes come to life. Glue the shapes together and apply colorful eyes with the markers.

Make a popcorn tree

When outside, have your kids pick up a twig with "branches." With glue, apply popped popcorn to the joints of the twig. Once dried, you can "plant" the popcorn tree in a small planter for a decorative display in your home.

Create a popcorn wreath

At a craft store, you can purchase wooden rings of varying width.  You can also purchase actual wreaths made of vines and twigs. Either will do. One way to easily create a popcorn wreath is to spray an adhesive on the wreath and pour popped popcorn over it. Once dried, the wreath will be covered with popcorn. Or, if you want to give the kids a craft they can spend time on, pull out the elmers glue and have them apply the popcorn all over the wreath (the wooden rings work best here). When finished and dry put on a colorful bow.

Do you have any fun popcorn ideas you'd like to share? We'd love to hear them.

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According to a report in the May 2008 Journal of the American Dietetic Association, people who eat popcorn have approximately 250% higher daily intake of whole grains and 22% higher daily intake of fiber than those who don't eat popcorn.  This study is great news for those of us who love to eat popcorn.

The report promotes the idea that "a high intake of whole-grain foods has been linked with reduced risk for coronary disease, stroke and various types of cancer and may protect against type 2 diabetes."

The report concludes:

“Popcorn may offer a healthful alternative to energy-dense, low-nutrient-dense snacks, and may have the potential to improve nutrient status in Americans of all ages and help them meet dietary guideline recommendations to consume three whole-grain servings per day.”

The American Dietetic Association recommends popping popcorn with a hot-air popcorn popper to ensure "a low-fat, low calorie snack."

You'll find these terms: popcorn poppers, popcorn machines, and popcorn makers often used interchangeably. Sometimes you'll find them combined, like popcorn popper machines or popcorn popper makers, and popcorn maker machines.

Is there a difference?

Well, basically, they all perform the same function: heat the popcorn kernel until the moisture within reaches the boiling point...then pop!

In general, the difference is in size and use:

Popcorn Poppers: These are the guys that sit on your counter, stove top or in your microwave when you want to pop popcorn and then get returned to your kitchen cabinet when not in use. Their use is pretty straight forward: heat and pop. They come in a variety of styles - bubble shapes (retro 70s), cones, bright colors, stylish black, etc. You'll find four different popping methods:

• Oil popcorn poppers: A popular brand is the Cuisinart Easy Pop Popcorn Maker
• Hot air popcorn poppers: Presto PopLite Hot Air Corn Popper and Presto Orville Redenbacher Hot Air Corn Popper are popular products.
• Stove top popcorn poppers: Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper is a popular and simple popcorn popper that uses a hand crank to prevent sticking and burning of the popcorn.

Microwave popcorn poppers: Healthy alternative to microwave popcorn bags.

Popcorn Machines: When you walk into the movie theater, these are the machines you see popping the popcorn. In recent years, bar style (table top) popcorn machines and popcorn machines with carts have become popular decorative and fun additions to home theaters and game rooms. Popcorn machines can range in the following sizes:

• 4 oz. popcorn machines: These make four 1oz. servings every 3 minutes and are appropriate for small home theaters and game rooms
• 6 oz. popcorn machines: Makes six 1oz. servings every 3 minutes and are appropriate with home theaters and game rooms and for mid-sized gatherings.
• 8oz. popcorn machines: Makes eight 1 oz. servings every 3 minutes (seeing a pattern?) and are appropriate for large home theaters and game rooms, large gatherings, smaller break rooms, restaurants, bars and waiting rooms. These can also be appropriate popcorn machines for fundraisers that attract small crowds.
• 12 oz. popcorn machines: Makes twelve 1oz. servings every 3 minutes and are designed for concession stands, snack bars, schools, and large fundraising events.
• 14 oz. popcorn machines: Of course, these guys produce a lot of popcorn and are appropriate for larger concession stands and theaters.

Popcorn Makers: You'll find all of the above called popcorn makers at times. Though in the past, popcorn maker was the popular term for popcorn popper, the term is not used as much today.