Hot Chocolate Playdough is a fun option when you need sensory activities for children. It lets them get their hands messy with a fun winter smell. Playdough is one of our favorite art activities because it is so versatile, but I'm not a fan of the smell. Using hot cocoa (or many other drinks) brings a new layer of fun and is a great base for a sensory bin!
Playdough is a wonderful activity for kids and kids at at heart. It builds fine motor skills, dramatic play, and can be the best sensory activity- appealing through sight, touch, and smell. (while homemade playdough is safe I wouldn't recommend trying out the sense of taste).
Must-Have Kids Craft Supplies
Sick of hearing “I'm bored”? Keep these fun craft supplies on hand for this activity and creative play time!
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This fun Hot Cocoa Play dough will keep the kids busy for hours. It is also a fantastic use for K cups- whether you use the whole cup, cocoa included, or keep your empty k cup to upcycle just for the mug portion. Grab a few items from your pantry and get started making this inexpensive and fun kid activity for the winter season and watch their imagination soar!
Ingredients for Hot Chocolate Playdough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 3 Hot Cocoa K cups or 1/4 cup baking cocoa
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tsp. cream of tartar
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
How to Make Hot Chocolate Playdough
Combine flour, salt, cocoa, cream of tartar, water, and coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to solidify and pull away from sides of the pan – about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and flip the dough out onto a floured surface, allow to cool enough to touch then knead for 2 minutes until smooth.
Once the dough is completely cooled it is ready for play. Store in an airtight container and it should last for weeks, I keep mine in the refrigerator when not in use to extend the life a little bit.
To make hot cocoa mugs for playdough fun:
Remove top seal from the cup, wash and dry thoroughly.
Cut a chenille stem in half, then fold that in half and twist from top to bottom.
Bend each end a bit to form a D for the handle, place hot glue on ends of chenille stem, let it cool for just a couple seconds then press into sides of cup to create a mug.
Provide your child with cookie cutters, a roller, plastic butter knife, white pompoms for marshmallows, and cut-up paper straws- this activity is guaranteed to keep them busy for hours. Hot Cocoa stand anyone?
More Sensory Play Ideas:
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Scented Homemade Slime
- Candy Corn Homemade Playdough Recipe
- Apple Pie Spice Playdough
- Colorful Homemade Peppermint Playdough Recipe
- Christmas Sensory Bin Ideas
Hot Chocolate Play Dough
Materials
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup salt
- 3 Hot Cocoa K cups or 1/4 cup baking cocoa
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 tsp. cream of tartar
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine flour, salt, cocoa, cream of tartar and coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add hot cocoa and vanilla extract.
- Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to solidify and pull away from sides of the pan, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and flip the dough out onto a floured surface, allow to cool enough to touch then knead for 2 minutes until smooth.
- Once the dough is completely cooled it is ready for play.
Carol
What a cute idea! I will have to think about doing this one. I haven’t been very good at doing crafty things with my son yet and I really really need to!
Barb
While mixing this, it seems rather dry? Even with the Coconut Oil…..why is there no water in the recipe? I had to add 1 cup of water to get it to mix together to resemble play dough.
Savanah
Barb, Thank you so much for pointing it out to me. I have no clue how I left out the water. It is supposed to be 1 cup of water for the recipe. Going to update it right now!
Leighann
Love it! I work at assisted living and I always need “consumable” activities. Thanks !