48 children took 4 each for a total of 48*4 = <<48*4=192>>192 sweets
If there is 1/3 left then 192 is 1-(1/3) = 2/3 of the original amount (The whole packet minus 1 third)
Therefore 192 is 2/3 of the original amount: (2/3)* original amount = 192
Multiplying both sides of the equation by (3/2) gives: original amount = 192*(3/2) = <<192*3/2=288>>288
#### 288