Mermaid Kelp Crunch: Easy Snack Food for a Mermaid Party
By a Bug & a Bean | Posted on 2025-07-08
Learn how to make Mermaid Kelp Crunch, a sweet and salty snack mix that's perfect food for a mermaid party! Easy, customizable, and includes a free printable food label.
Post TagsMERMAIDS MERMAID PARTY KID SNACKS

Planning a magical under-the-sea celebration? Whether you're hosting a mermaid birthday, an ocean-themed sleepover, or just want to add a bit of sparkle to snack time, this Mermaid Kelp Crunch is the perfect party treat. It’s colorful, customizable, and easy enough for kids to help make!
In this post, I’ll show you how to make this fun and whimsical snack, give you tips for styling it on your mermaid-themed party table, and include a free printable food tent card to match the vibe.
Why Mermaid Kelp Crunch Is the Perfect Food for a Mermaid Party
This sweet and salty snack mix checks all the boxes:
- ✅ Quick and easy to make
- ✅ No baking required
- ✅ Highly customizable
- ✅ Crowd-pleaser for all ages
- ✅ Photo-ready for Pinterest-worthy tables
Kids love the bright colors and candy “pearls,” and you’ll love how easy it is to prep in advance.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase using our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission on the purchase at no extra cost to you. As an affiliate, we are often able to receive special deals and exclusive pricing on products we love. We are excited to be able to pass this savings along to our readers!
Ingredients You'll Need
Feel free to adjust quantities based on how many mermaids you're feeding!
- Blue popcorn
- Mini pretzels (or GF pretzels if needed)
- Green apple sour belts (cut into thin “kelp” ribbons)
- Shimmery Sixlets or candy pearls
- White chocolate seashells (optional – use molds for extra magic)
- Graham cracker crumbs (to sprinkle on top like edible sand)
- Mermaid-themed sprinkles or edible glitter (for sparkle!)
Check out some of our favorite finds for making this snack extra magical!

Chocolate Beach Themed Silicon Mold Set
Make shell shaped white chocolate goodies to put in your kelp.

Edible Seashells
Don't want to make your own? Get this ready-made edible white seashells and mix them into your kelp.

Rainbow Edible Pearls
These pearls are so magical that you will want to use them over and over. Enchant your guests with these edible pearls.
How to Make Mermaid Kelp Crunch
- Pop the popcorn (or use store-bought) and drizzle with blue candy melts if desired. Let it set.
- In a large bowl, gently toss together the popcorn and pretzels.
- Cut sour belts into thin “kelp” strips and mix them in.
- Add your candy pearls, chocolate shells, and any other themed add-ins.
- Sprinkle graham cracker “sand” over the top.
- Finish with sprinkles or edible glitter for that magical mermaid shimmer.
Serve It in Style
- Clear glass bowls or mini treasure chests
- Iridescent treat cups
- Small snack bags tied with shell-shaped tags. Customize a mermaid treat bag for your party and fill with Kelp Crunch for a party favor idea.
- Or on a pastel party tray with our free printable food label
- ✅ Use teal, lavender, and pearl tones to match the mermaid theme
- ✅ Add a themed backdrop or table runner with shells and seaweed
- ✅ Include name tags or food signs for each snack on the table
Customize & Download Your Mermaid Kelp Crunch food tent card.
Note: If printing at home, food tent cards work best on light weight cardstock. This is the cardstock we used for ours.
Pro Party Tips
🐠 Is Mermaid Kelp Crunch Gluten-Free?
It can be! Just swap regular pretzels and sour belts for gluten-free versions, and always double-check candy labels for cross-contamination warnings. This snack is super easy to customize for dietary needs.
Don’t Forget Your Free Printable!
Make your party even more magical with our mermaid kelp crunch food tent card. It’s soft, whimsical, and matches perfectly with an undersea party theme. These cards are customizable and you can download and print as many as you would like. Use this tutorial to learn how to format and print multiple on one 8.5 x 11 inch page.
🧚♀️ Final Splash
Whether you're throwing a full-on mermaid bash or just want a themed snack to spark joy, Mermaid Kelp Crunch is a simple, creative treat that brings the ocean party to life. Kids will love munching on this crunchy, colorful mix—and you’ll love how easy it is to prep and style!
Join the Crafty Creator Club ✨
Get exclusive access to free printables, special discounts, custom template access codes, and creative inspiration.
Join the Magic