Host a jam party! This is a fun tasting party idea. Find tips, tricks and a printable tasting sheet, to host the best jam tasting party.
I'm so excited to share one of our favorite family activities. Every year, we look forward to our annual jam tasting party.
We open 24 different jams, and we taste them all. Then, we talk about which ones we like and which ones we didn't like. The kids love eating so many different jams in one sitting. And so do I!
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A Fun Tasting Party Idea
Today, we are hosting our fourth annual Jam Tasting Party!
We love hosting jam parties because it's fun for the whole family. Kids love it as much as adults. As such, we tend to have family friends over for this party.
It's also good for a variety of different aged kids. We have done this with kids ranging from two to thirteen. It is equally loved. Because really, who doesn't like jam.
Our jam parties have evolved over the years. At the risk of overconfidence, I think we are pretty good at hosting them now. As such, we have a lot of tips and tricks to share to keep this fun, neat and enjoyable for all.
Plus, this year we are doing something new with a blind taste test. I created a printable tasting sheet to be used for it. You can get it below if you want to try it for a jam party too.
Why Host a Jam Tasting Party?
Jam parties are the absolute best. Not surprisingly, it's been a hit every single time we have hosted.
- It's delicious
- Kids and adults both have fun
- It's easy to set up and prepare
- For more of a challenge, do a blind taste test
- Everyone can write tasting notes with the free printable below
Our First Jam Party
The first year we hosted a jam party, we were so lax about it. I gave everyone a plate and butter knife, set out some sliced bread on the table, and opened up all the jams.
PHEW! While it was so much fun, it was also a bit of a disaster.
The butter knives are too big and heavy for the jam jars. So the jars kept tipping. The knives would fall out with a big clang. As a result, the table ended up being super sticky too.
The jams also started mixing because remnants of jam on one knife would mix into other flavors.
There was so much double dipping, kids licking knives, spilled jam and leftover bread slices. For example, kids would spread a jam on an entire slice of bread, then decide they didn't like that flavor and not eat it. Moreover, the kids also ended up eating a lot of bread and felt sick afterwards.
We loved it and thought it was really fun. However, we really needed some improvements on our jam partying ways!
I hope you host a jam party and this post saves you from some of the troubles we experienced.
Tried and Tested Tips for Hosting a Jam Party
Subsequent parties have gone more smoothly. Since the first party, we have tweaked how we serve the jams, serve the breads, and even created a fun blind test activity.
What Jam to Use?
You can host a jam tasting party with any jam you would like!
The reason we host this party once a year is because we buy the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar every single October/November when it comes out. I am a little obsessive about this particular advent calendar. As you may know, I love all things breakfast.
We have always served the jams included in the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar. Throwing a jam party is the only way our family can use up all the jam.
While it sells out some years, the good news is, you can still buy it on Amazon right now. Bonne Maman also sells various mini sets throughout the year. Here's a set of 10 for Valentine's Day. Here's a mini set of 5 jams. Just keep an eye out for special sets.
Alternatively, simply go to your local grocery store and find all the different varieties there.
It's such a fun activity, so grab any jam you can and get planning!
Use Soft Sliced Sandwich Bread
We have tried a variety of breads for our jam tasting parties. The best is soft sliced sandwich bread. White bread is always more popular than wheat bread. But honey wheat can work well.
Sourdough bread masks the flavor of the jam. Plus, it's too crumbly to cut up. Also, a bakery quality loaf of bread can be too crusty for jam tasting.
In the end, we stick with cheap white sandwich bread. Something like Wonder Bread.
Cut Bread Into Small Pieces for Jam Tasting
The biggest mistake from our first jam party is giving the kids whole slices of bread. Don't make our same mistake. The bread needs to be cut into bite sized pieces.
Also, cut the crust off. In our experience, kids will dig in the bread bowl for the crustless pieces. In the process, they touch all the other pieces.
So, first cut the crust off the slices. Then, cut each slice of bread into 8 pieces. That way, they end up being just the right size. Spread jam on one end, and hold the other end.
This year, we are also using mini saltine crackers for variety.
Use Popsicle Sticks to Spread the Jam
We started using popsicle sticks for spreading the jam and it works a charm. Popsicle sticks are easy for kids to use. Plus they are light enough that it doesn't tip the jam jar over.
I put one popsicle stick in each jam. Then, I give the kids each their own popsicle stick to spread jam around. Inevitably, someone will take the popsicle stick from the jam jar. Or lick it. So keep plenty of popsicle sticks handy.
By the end, each kid usually ends up with many popsicle sticks on their plates. At least we know they are trying their best not to double dip.
Cover the Table
Jam is sticky. Fingers get sticky. Kids are just generally sticky! If you can, cover your tabletop. You can see in the photos, I used kraft paper.
Jam Tasting Party - Tasting Notes
This year, we are doing something new. We added a component of jam tasting notes. I think the kids are old enough this year to give this a try.
For this fun family activity, I prepared printable tasting notes for everyone to fill out. Then, I covered all the jam labels with numbers so no one can see the flavors.
Also, I put out a list of all the jam flavors. Because the flavors are unique, I don't think anyone would be able to guess them correctly without using the list as a reference.
The tasting sheet is super simple for kids to fill out. There are the following columns:
- What Flavor Do You Think It Is?
- Notes (Color, Smell, Texture)
- Did I Like It?
- Did I Guess Right?
We'll all enjoy the jams first. At the very end, we'll remove the number labels and see how many we guess right!
Get the Jam Tasting Party Printables
You can find the free printables needed for hosting a jam tasting party below. Simply enter in your email address. Then, you'll get a link to download the sheets.
What's in the free PDF printable?
- Jam tasting notes to fill out
- Number labels to cut and tape around mini jam jars
- A list of all the jams included in the 2023 Bonne Maman Advent Calendar
- If you aren't using the 2023 Bonne Maman Advent Calendar, a blank chart for you to write in the flavor of the jams that you chose to use
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