Hot Cocoa Craft

A simple and fun hot cocoa craft to add to your list of winter crafts for kids! Googly eyes and mini pom poms makes this an extra sweet craft to keep the kids busy!

Hot Cocoa Craft for Kids

‘Tis the season to make and enjoy a hot mug of cocoa! I have such great memories of sipping on a sweet cup of cocoa after spending hours outside in the snow with my childhood friends. Even if you don’t love the taste, there’s just something nostalgic about stirring hot cocoa mix into a mug and topping it with marshmallows. Now my own kids love making a warm cup of cocoa after playing with friends, and one afternoon we paired it with this cute hot cocoa craft to make the moment even sweeter.

Use this adorable craft during winter to keep kids occupied when they can’t go outside. There are so many ways to decorate these cute hot chocolate mugs, and they make the perfect winter decorations for your home or classroom. Keep reading to see how simple this hot chocolate craft is to do with your little ones.

How to Video:

Supplies for the Hot Cocoa Craft

To make this craft, you just need a few simple supplies. You may already have them in your craft bin, so be sure to check the inventory before heading to the craft store. I love having craft supplies on hand during the holiday season and throughout the winter months. Crafts are the best way to keep kids entertained when there’s nothing else to do.

• brown, red, purple, green, and blue cardstock
• FREE Hot Cocoa Template
• mini white pom poms
• White paint pen and bright pink paint pen*
• large googly eyes
• glue stick or liquid glue

I used primary color shades for the mugs, but feel free to use ANY color you would like! Hot chocolate mix can be put into any colored mug.

*White crayons or Colored Pencils are a great substitute for white paint pens if you want less mess and a cheaper option. Keep in mind the white won’t show up on lighter colors like yellow so test it out before committing to crayons instead of paint pens. You can also find various paint pens online that are cheaper or buy specific colors at craft stores individually.

Crafty Tips for the Classroom or Home

This hot cocoa craft isn’t just adorable—it’s a great way to sprinkle in a little learning and classroom fun without adding extra prep. Here are some simple ways to extend the activity:

• Read a cozy winter story before crafting to set the mood. A book about snow, friendship, or winter traditions pairs perfectly.
• Incorporate a short creative writing piece—have students write a few sentences about their favorite way to enjoy hot cocoa, or a simple “how to make hot cocoa” list for older kids.
• Practice fine motor skills by cutting, gluing, and arranging each piece of the craft.
• Add a sensory element by letting kids smell cocoa powder or marshmallows (no tasting needed!).
• Display the finished mugs on a bulletin board titled “Warm Winter Wishes” or “Sipping Into the Season.”
• Pair with a class discussion about winter traditions—sledding, building snowmen, drinking cocoa, or playing outside on snowy days.

Add to the Hot Cocoa Festivities

If you want to make this craft super special, add some tasty treats to the mix. Here are some delicious recipes and ideas to make a full day out of your hot cocoa craft activity.

• Hot Chocolate Cookies – These delicious cookies pair nicely with a mug of hot cocoa and some candy canes during the holidays.
• Snowman Hot Chocolate Spoons – Create these cute spoons and let kids stir them into hot milk or water to create homemade hot cocoa.