Mmmm, hot chocolate. What comes to mind? Do you think of cold winter days? Maybe you think of marshmallows or whipped cream on top of chocolaty yumminess. Now, this treat isn’t just for kids. Kids and adults alike seem to enjoy this warm chocolate drink. So, for National Hot Chocolate Day on January 31, what better time to try out some fun hot chocolate activities with the kids.
Table of Contents
The Origin on Hot Chocolate
Do you know where hot chocolate came from? Well, it all starts back in Mayan times. I have a video and article below to share with the kids.
Unfortunately, not many videos on this topic are narrated, so you may need to read the information to your kids.
- Yummy History of Hot Chocolate by USA Today
- Hot Chocolate Facts for Kids– A Wiki Kidzsearch article
Hot Chocolate Activities
Now that you know a little bit of where hot chocolate came from let’s get into some hot chocolate activities. There is a variety to choose from. You can pick and choose a few or do them all!
Hot Chocolate Science
Believe it or not, there are some fun science experiments you can do with hot chocolate. I guess just about anything could be turned into a science experiment. Good thing because experiments are such a fun way for kids to learn.
First Hot Chocolate Science Activity-
One very simple and fun hot chocolate activity for any age is “Which hot chocolate recipe tastes the best?”
Here is where you and your kids can make and try different hot chocolate recipes to see what everyone prefers. Most recipes online make big batches. You can adjust the recipes to make smaller batches. Below are a few recipes to get you started.
- Easy Hot Chocolate Recipe– This is a traditional recipe.
- Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Recipe– For those that love white chocolate, this is yummy (one of my favorite recipes!). You can omit the peppermint.
- Mexican Hot Chocolate– Great if you like a little spice.
- French Hot Chocolate– This looks rich and yummy.
- Italian Hot Chocolate– Boy, this is a thick, creamy recipe.
Another option is to try different brands in the store. You can test various companies, flavors, sugar-free options, with and without marshmallows, etc. So there really is a lot to choose from if you don’t want to make a lot. Envelops make this hot chocolate activity easier.
Once you decide what you want to do, it is time to set up the experiment. Kids can have friends or just family members test out the recipes.
I have included a simple science experiment worksheet for you to use. I couldn’t decide which version, so I included all three.
Another fun extension of this activity is to tally data on a table and graph the results. It is a fun way to include a little math. This will work best in a large family, with a group of friends, and a co-op/classroom.
Second Hot Chocolate Activity
In the second science experiment, kids will determine which temperature hot chocolate mixes best. You can try three different temperatures- cold, room temperature, and hot. Another option is to use a thermometer and measure the temperature of the water. Use whatever is best for your kids.
It is another fun way to act like little scientists.
{Like science experiments? You might like Bubble Science.}
Activities for Writing Time
If you are making a day of hot chocolate activities, you can also add a little writing. The kids might like a change of pace with a hot chocolate writing activity.
- One easy way to include writing is with a “How To” make hot chocolate book. You can make it as easy or challenging as you’d like. For example, kids can tell how to make hot chocolate with envelop packets or a recipe. Here at Mandy’s Tips for Teachers, you’ll find a great How to Make Hot Chocolate. It does a great job breaking things down in little steps and using pictures.
- Write a report about hot chocolate. You can have kiddos write up their own report about hot chocolate. They can write about its history, the different flavors or traditions of hot chocolate in other parts of the world, or anything else they can imagine.
- Creative Writing Prompt: You can have your kids come up with a fun, creative story involving hot chocolate. If they need some suggestions, here are a couple:
- One cold, snowy day, you find a hot chocolate river. Write an adventure story about it.
- You wake one morning, and any time you turn on a faucet, hot chocolate runs out. Write a funny story about the problems that happen because of it. Kids could also write a mystery story and solve why this is happening.
- Persuasive Writing: If you have kids that like to debate or convince others of their point of view, they might enjoy writing a persuasive piece. They could persuade others:
- The best time they think it is to drink hot chocolate (breakfast, on a cold day, holidays etc.) and defend it.
- Hot chocolate is the best plain, with marshmallows or whipped cream.
There are so many ways to incorporate writing into your hot chocolate activities.
Hot Chocolate Books for Storytime
I always love finding some way to include literature in things. I didn’t see a lot on hot chocolate, but I did find a list of hot chocolate books at Something2Offer. Books are great to use before doing a fun activity. It gets kids excited about what’s coming next.
Arts and Crafts
There are a lot of fun arts and crafts activities based around hot chocolate. I collected a few for you that kids of different ages and abilities could do.
- Decorate your own mug– I have a few suggestions for this. One is a simple paper mug to decorate. I have a worksheet you can print off and use. Kids could also decorate blank white mugs with Sharpies (oil-based kind). You can buy cheap coffee cups at a dollar store or thrift shop. I have a great tutorial I’ve used for baking the cups after they are decorated. This helps keep the markers from washing off. Check it out here.
- Acrylic painting– If your kiddos love to paint, they may enjoy the step-by-step painting project “Hot Chocolate Mug in Window.” You can find the tutorial on YouTube and the website. Step-by-Step Painting has so many great tutorials. My son did one of her painting projects when he was 8 or 9 years old. Things are broken down nicely, so it is easy to complete the project.
- Chalk Pastels– Chalk pastels are a lot of fun to use and relatively simple. Kids might enjoy this Chalk Pastel Hot Chocolate Art Project.
- Hot Chocolate craft– I found a simple Popsicle Stick Hot Chocolate Mug Kid Craft at Glued to My Crafts. Not only is it easy to do, but easy for kids to decorate with their own unique designs.
Hot Chocolate Sensory Activity
I wanted to share the last activity Hot Chocolate Play Dough, at 123Homeschool4Me. It uses real hot chocolate in this playdough recipe, which will smell delicious. Kids will have so much fun playing with this. You can then use the play dough for imaginative play, making letters, numbers, or counting activities.
Hot Chocolate Fun
There are so many hot chocolate activities for kids to enjoy. They are great for National Hot Chocolate Day celebrations, party ideas, a winter-time unit study, or just to add some fun to your day. So, save this and come back whenever you need some fun activities to do with your kids. These hot chocolate activities are sure to be a big hit.
Happy Homeschooling!
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