Easy Finger Jello Recipe for Kids

Written by Jessica Published on May 31, 2022

Original content posted September 2021. Updated May 2022.

Maybe you know finger jello as jello jigglers. When our Mom made it for us as kids, we always called it finger jello. Either way, jello jigglers, finger jello…whatever else it might be called… 🙂 it is a fun treat to make for kids to enjoy. It’s very simple, but you can turn something easy like this into a fun treat or even a learning activity! Find the easy finger jello recipe here! It only takes 5 minutes and 3 ingredients!

These jiggly, wiggly squares are easily handled by little hands. Plus, they are just FUN to eat!

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You might have some questions about finger jello. Let’s see if we can help you!

How do you make finger jello?

Read this post for full details, but you are basically mixing flavored gelatin, unflavored gelatin and boiling water. Sounds easy enough, right? It is! Find the details here.

How do you make finger jello stiff?

The key to this is by only using boiling water and refrigerating for several hours until it is stiff.

Does finger jello need to be refrigerated?

YES, for the finger jello mixture to set, it MUST be refrigerated! The longer you allow it to set, the more firm it will be. Refrigerating it for 3-4 hours before even attempting to cut it is the best option!

Can I make finger jello in any color?

Of course! Feel free to mix and match jello packets to come up with some fun finger jello colors! Like mixing a blue packet of jello with a red jello would yield purple jello! You can make this really fun for kids!

Curious about the science behind finger jello? Like how does it turn from a liquid to a solid when it cools? Find all the answers HERE on Scientific American. They do great at explaining it!

Ready for this easy finger jello recipe? Let’s do this!

How to Make Finger Jello for Kids

There are so many different ways you could use this fun food snack for quality learning activities. Use it to learn colors or make different shapes with it to practice shapes, or you can even cut out letters and numbers to practice those. There is always a way to incorporate learning activities into your daily activities. And making finger jello will do just that!

Cut this flavored gelatin into squares for a fun, finger treat.

Here’s what you need to make this finger jello recipe:

3 packages of jello (3 oz. each)
4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
4 cups boiling water
cooking spray

Prepare your pan.
Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.
Mix.
In a large bowl, combine the jello packets and unflavored gelatin envelopes.
Add the boiling water.
Whisk.
Whisk together until all is completely dissolved.
Pour and chill.
Pour into 9 x 13 pan. Chill in refrigerator for 2-4 hours until firm. Chilling it longer yields firmer jello. Don’t try to cut into too soon!
Prepare for eating.
Cut into squares or use a cookie cutter to make shapes.

:: PIN IT FOR LATER ::

To make the letters, I used the letter shapes from this set of Wilton cookie cutters. How cute are they? And, I like to spread it thinner when using cookie cutters, so I poured the liquid jello into a half sheet pan baking sheet, and the size was perfect.

The kids I nanny love when we make finger jello. Whether it’s Christmas trees, hearts for Valentine’s Day, letters or shapes for learning, our finger jello activity always makes them happy!