I am having a candy-themed birthday party and shooting to do a simple candy-making session with about 30 five-year-old girls. I'm thinking I'll have them dip large pretzel sticks and marshmallows into melted pink chocolate and cover in sprinkles. I'm wondering how to accomplish that.

Would you use candy melts? Try to color white chocolate? I'll need quite a bit, what will be economical?

What would be the best way to melt and keep warm the chocolate? I have two fondue pots, but I am afraid they'll burn too hot for chocolate, and the fire involved itself makes me afraid to even try it. Would a large crock pot work? Small crock pot? I have a warming tray, possibly a pot sitting on a warming tray?

Thanks for any help. I'm just not sure where to begin and am hoping it won't be a disaster!

i'd use "almond bark" (aka candy coating) from the grocery store. luckily most 5-year-olds won't care that it's not gourmet

honestly i'd just bring a microwave instead of risking little hands getting burned. melt a large bowl of chocolate and then dispense it in smaller bowls to be shared. re-warm when necessary. cover your surfaces with disposable table cloths (or freezer paper or something!) because this will be messy! incredibly fun sounding though.

Once you melt the candy coating in the microwave, you can set the bigger bowl on a heating pad (fabric-covered; the kind you put on a sore shoulder or neck or knee) to keep it warm.

Thanks for the responses so far!

Would a ceramic or glass bowl work on one of those metal heating trays?

Does normal food coloring color almond bark or do I need something special?

normal food coloring won't work on candy melts, but you can buy pre-colored candy or the oil-based candy coloring (e.g. Wilton).

Go to Hobby Lobby or Michael's and get the Make N Mold colors - - they're made just for candy. I agree with using almond bark. You can get it at Wal Mart in the baking section and it's not expensive.0

Thank you guys so, so much! You are so helpful!