National Jelly Bean Day (April 22)

ByClare Brown Posted on Updated on

National Jelly Bean Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, is a sweet tribute to these tiny, chewy confections that have delighted candy lovers for generations.

With their vibrant colors and an endless variety of flavors, jelly beans are a staple in candy aisles and holiday treats.

Whether you enjoy classic fruity flavors or gourmet options like buttered popcorn and toasted marshmallows, there’s a jelly bean for everyone.

Keep reading to explore the history, fun facts, and ways to celebrate this delightful weird holiday in April.

When is the Holiday?

National Jelly Bean Day takes place on April 22nd every year.

Who Invented the Holiday?

While there isn’t a documented origin story for the holiday, the history of jelly beans themselves dates back to the 19th century.

The first known mention of jelly beans appeared in advertisements in the 1860s, when Boston confectioner William Schrafft encouraged people to send them to Union soldiers during the Civil War.

Over time, jelly beans became a popular treat, especially around Easter due to their egg-like shape.

The tradition of celebrating a day dedicated to these chewy, colorful candies likely emerged as a fun way for candy lovers to indulge in their favorite sweet while appreciating the history and evolution of jelly beans.

The History of Jelly Beans

Jelly beans may be small, but their history is packed with interesting moments:

  • Ancient Origins: Early versions of jelly beans can be traced back to the chewy, sugar-based confections of ancient civilizations, such as Turkish Delight.
  • 19th Century Developments: The modern jelly bean began appearing in the U.S. during the 1800s, sold as penny candy.
  • Easter Tradition: By the early 20th century, their egg-like shape made them a natural addition to Easter baskets.
  • The Jelly Belly Revolution: In the late 1970s, Jelly Belly transformed jelly beans into gourmet treats with realistic flavors, winning fans worldwide.

Top 5 Facts About Jelly Beans

  1. President Ronald Reagan was a well-known jelly bean fan and kept a jar in the Oval Office.
  2. Jelly Belly introduced gourmet flavors in 1976, making jelly beans more than just a sugary treat.
  3. The world’s largest jelly bean weighed 6,050 pounds and was made in 1995.
  4. Jelly beans were a favorite candy of early astronauts and were included in space missions.
  5. Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans from Harry Potter brought bizarre flavors like grass and earwax into candy culture.

Fun Ways to Celebrate

  • Jelly Bean Taste Test: Gather a variety of flavors and challenge friends to guess each one while blindfolded. Make it even more fun by including some wild flavors!
  • Jelly Bean Art: Arrange jelly beans to create colorful mosaics or use them to decorate cakes and cookies.
  • DIY Jelly Bean Games: Set up a jelly bean relay race or use them in a tabletop bowling game with small cups.
  • Jelly Bean Science Experiment: Use jelly beans for dissolving experiments in different liquids to observe changes in color and texture.
  • Jelly Bean Treasure Hunt: Hide different colors around the house or yard and assign point values to each color for a fun scavenger hunt.

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Links to Resources

Explore these creative and educational jelly bean-themed resources:

  • Jelly Belly Bean Boozled. A fun and unpredictable game featuring both delicious and bizarre jelly bean flavors, making taste-testing an adventure.
  • Jelly Beans Busy Bag. A playful and engaging color sorting activity that helps young children develop fine motor skills and color recognition.
  • Jelly Bean STEM Activity. Build cool and creative structures using jelly beans and toothpicks while learning about balance and engineering principles.
  • Tic Tac Toe Rice Krispie Treats. A fun and edible game board using jelly beans as playing pieces, perfect for kids and adults to enjoy together.
  • Jelly Belly 4lb Jar. A jumbo-sized collection of classic and gourmet jelly beans, perfect for candy lovers looking to stock up.

Related Holidays

Among the many fun food-themed celebrations, National Gummy Worm Day on July 15th is a tribute to the playful, chewy candy loved by kids and adults alike.

On February 15th, we celebrate National Gum Drop Day, honoring the sugary, jelly-like treats that have been around for generations.

Summer brings another sweet holiday, National Cotton Candy Day on July 31st, spotlighting the fluffy fairground favorite.

For those who love indulging in all sorts of treats, National Junk Food Day on July 21st is the perfect excuse to enjoy your favorite guilty pleasures.

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