A Magical STEM Baking Activity for Kids, Parties, and Homeschool Learning

If you are looking for a baking activity that is colorful, creative, and educational, these cotton candy cloud pop tarts with rainbow marshmallow filling are the perfect choice.

With soft, golden pastry, gooey rainbow marshmallow centers, and dreamy blue cotton candy icing, this recipe turns a simple baking session into a hands-on STEM learning experience that kids will absolutely love.

Even better, these pop tarts are not just a treat. They double as a fun homeschool lesson, a birthday party activity, a picnic dessert, and a thoughtful homemade gift.

Why Parents Love This Recipe

This recipe checks every box for busy families:

• Simple ingredients you already have

• Quick prep and baking time

• Easy enough for kids to help

• Packed with learning opportunities

• Visually exciting and fun

Kids stay engaged from start to finish because they can see, touch, and experiment every step of the way.

The STEM Magic Behind These Pop Tarts

Baking these pop tarts is more than just following a recipe. It is a real-life science experiment happening right in your kitchen.

Science in Action

Marshmallows are made of sugar and air. When heated, the air expands and the sugar softens, creating that gooey filling.

If the marshmallows are too thick, they expand too much and can push through the crust. This is a perfect way to talk about heat, expansion, and pressure.

Engineering Skills

Kids learn how to build a strong structure by sealing the edges properly.

• What happens if the edges are not sealed

• Why pressing with a fork helps

• How to keep the filling inside

This introduces basic engineering concepts in a fun and hands-on way.

Math in the Kitchen

This recipe also builds math skills:

• Dividing a 9-inch pie crust into three equal pieces

• Measuring ingredients

• Timing the baking process

You can even ask kids to double the recipe and calculate new amounts.

Observation and Experimentation

Encourage kids to observe:

• What happens when marshmallows are cut thicker vs thinner

• How baking time affects the filling

• Which pies hold their shape best

This turns baking into a fun experiment rather than just a task.

Turn This Recipe into a Homeschool Lesson

These pop tarts are perfect for learning at home because they naturally combine multiple subjects.

Science Activity

Have kids predict what will happen in the oven. Ask questions like:
What do you think will happen to the marshmallows?

After baking, compare results.

Engineering Challenge

Challenge kids to create a pie that does not leak.

They can test different sealing methods and learn through trial and error.

Math Practice

Let kids measure, count, and divide ingredients.

Older kids can adjust the recipe and calculate new quantities.

Writing Activity

Ask kids to:

• Write their own recipe

• Describe what happened during baking

• Name their cloud creations

This reinforces learning across subjects.

Cotton Candy Cloud Pop Tarts with Rainbow Marshmallow Filling Recipe

Ingredients

(makes 3 pop tarts)

1 store-bought 9-inch pie crust
6 to 8 rainbow marshmallows, sliced very thinly in half
2 to 3 tablespoons milk for sealing

Cotton Candy Icing

¼ cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons milk
1 drop cotton candy extract
dye-free blue food coloring

Toppings

Mini white nonpareils
White cotton candy 

Tools

4" cloud cookie cutter

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

Step 2: Cut Your Clouds

Roll out the pie crust and cut 6 4" cloud shapes.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

Slice rainbow marshmallows very thinly in half. Place the slices in the center of 3 of the clouds. Keep the filling away from the edges

Step 4: Build and Seal

Place another cloud shape on top. Brush edges with milk. Crimp all the way around with a fork.

This step is key to keeping the filling inside

Step 5: Bake

Bake for 7 to 10 minutes.

Watch closely. Remove when the crust is golden and the marshmallow is melted but not bursting.

Step 6: Cool

Place pop tarts on a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before decorating.

Step 7: Make the Icing

Mix powdered sugar, milk, cotton candy extract, and blue food coloring.

Stir until smooth and spreadable.

Step 8: Decorate

Spread or pipe icing on top. Sprinkle with mini white nonpareils. Add cotton candy just before serving.

Baking Tips for Success

• Slice marshmallows thin to prevent bursting

• Do not overfill

• Seal edges firmly

• Start checking at 7 minutes

• Always cool before icing

These small steps help kids succeed and feel confident.

Tips

• Add cotton candy right before serving

• Pack icing separately if decorating later

• Store in layers with parchment paper

You can even turn it into a weather lesson about clouds.

Turn Baking Into a Weather Lesson About Clouds

These cotton candy cloud pop tarts with rainbow marshmallow filling are the perfect opportunity to bring a hands-on weather lesson into your kitchen.

Instead of just baking, you can turn this activity into a fun exploration of how clouds form, what they are made of, and why they look the way they do.

Kids love learning when they can connect it to something they can see and eat, and this recipe makes that connection easy and memorable.

What Are Clouds Made Of?

Explain to kids that clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals floating in the air.

You can compare this to what they are doing in the kitchen:

• Marshmallows look fluffy like clouds

• Heat changes their texture

• They expand and become soft and airy

Even though clouds are made of water and marshmallows are made of sugar and air, both have that light, fluffy structure that makes them similar.

How Do Clouds Form?

You can explain cloud formation in a simple way:

Warm air rises into the sky
As it rises, it cools down
The water vapor turns into tiny droplets
Those droplets group together to form clouds

While baking, you can connect this to what kids see:

• Heat in the oven changes the marshmallows

• The marshmallows puff up as air expands

• Just like clouds grow and change shape in the sky

Types of Clouds (Fun Visual Activity)

Before or after baking, go outside and look at the sky.

Ask your child:
Which cloud looks like your pop tart?

Introduce simple cloud types:

• Fluffy clouds that look like cotton (cumulus)

• Thin, wispy clouds (cirrus)

• Gray clouds that bring rain (stratus)

Then bring that learning back to the kitchen:

Let kids design their pop tarts to look like different cloud types

This makes the activity both creative and educational.

Mini Experiment: Watching Change

Turn baking into a science experiment by asking kids to observe:

• What happens to marshmallows in the oven

• How their shape changes

• What happens if you leave them in longer

Ask questions like:
Why did this one puff more?
Why did that one leak?

This encourages critical thinking and observation skills.

Extend the Lesson

After baking, you can:

• Draw clouds and label them

• Write a short “weather report”

• Keep a cloud journal for a week

This simple recipe can easily turn into a full mini unit on weather without feeling like schoolwork.

Perfect for a Pajama Play Date or Sleepover

These cloud pop tarts are also perfect for a cozy pajama play date or sleepover activity.

They are fun, hands-on, and just the right mix of creative and calm, making them ideal for evening activities when you want kids engaged but not overstimulated.

How to Set Up a Baking Sleepover Activity

Turn your kitchen into a fun baking station:

• Set out pre-cut cloud shapes

• Prepare marshmallows ahead of time

• Give each child their own space

Play soft music or a fun movie in the background to create a relaxed atmosphere

Make It a Cozy Experience

Encourage kids to:

• Wear their favorite pajamas

• Sit together while decorating

• Share ideas and designs

This creates a warm, relaxed environment where kids can bond while creating something together

Add a Fun Theme

Turn the night into a “Cloud and Sky” theme

You can include:

• Cloud-themed decorations

• Blue and white table settings

• A simple sky or rainbow backdrop

Even small details make the experience feel special

Decorating Party Moment

After baking, set up a decorating station with:

• Blue icing

• Sprinkles

• Cotton candy

Let kids decorate their pop tarts however they like. This is often their favorite part.

Movie and Treat Time

Serve the finished pop tarts with:

• Warm milk

• Hot chocolate

• Or a fun “cloud drink” (milk with whipped cream on top)

Then settle in for a movie or story time.

Take-Home Treats

Wrap each pop tart in parchment paper and tie with ribbon.

Kids can take home their creations as a sweet memory of the night.

Why Parents Love This Idea

This activity is perfect for sleepovers because it is:

• Easy to prepare

• Not overly messy

• Interactive and engaging

• Calming and creative

It keeps kids busy in a meaningful way while creating a shared experience they will remember

These additions help your blog post become more than just a recipe. It becomes a complete experience guide for parents, combining learning, creativity, and memorable moments all in one activity.

Creative Variations to Try

Encourage kids to experiment with:

• Different shapes like stars or hearts

• Different icing colors

• New sprinkle combinations

• Swirled icing designs

Ask them what worked best and what they would change

More Ways to Use This Recipe

• After-school activity

• Rainy day project

• Weekend family bonding

• Classroom or co-op activity

It is a versatile recipe that fits into everyday life

Create Meaningful Learning Moments in the Kitchen

Baking together is about more than just the final treat.

It is about curiosity, creativity, and connection.

It is the excitement of watching marshmallows puff. The pride of decorating something unique. The joy of sharing something you made together

These cotton candy cloud pop tarts with rainbow marshmallow filling turn a simple recipe into a meaningful experience where kids can learn, explore, and create memories that last far beyond the kitchen