As the weather cools down and the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing cozier than sipping on a warm cup of hot cocoa. But what if your little ones could enjoy the fun of hot cocoa in a whole new way—through sensory play? This taste safe Hot Cocoa Sensory Play activity is the perfect winter-themed experience for toddlers, whether you’re at home, in preschool, or hosting a playgroup!
To whip up this sensory bin, you’ll just need a few basic ingredients from your pantry. Grab 8 cups of flour, 1 cup of oil, and 1 cup of cocoa powder to make the base—simple, right?
Then, toss in a handful of marshmallows for that extra cozy touch. Don’t forget to set up a container to play in and bring out spoons, bowls, or whatever kitchen tools your little one loves for scooping and pretending.
Finally, a tablecloth or large sheet will help with easy cleanup—because let’s be real, things might get a little messy!
Follow along with the step by step below for how to make the chocolate moon dough base for this hot chocolate sensory bin, and how to set it all up ready for some fun hot cocoa sensory play with the kids.
This winter sensory bin is great for kids of all ages, from toddlers to preschoolers and school aged kiddos too. As it’s taste-safe, even babies can get involved and play (always supervise for safety)
Taste Safe Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin
Get ready for some cozy, wintery fun with this Hot Cocoa Sensory Play! It's a hands-on, squishy, and chocolate-scented experience that toddlers will love. Perfect for those cold days indoors, this taste-safe sensory activity brings all the fun of hot cocoa without the mess of a real drink!
Materials
- 8 cups of flour
- 1 cup of oil
- 1 cup of cocoa powder
- A handful of marshmallows
Tools
- A container for sensory play
- Tablecloth for easy clean-up
- Spoons, bowls, and other kitchen tools for scooping and playing
Instructions
- Put your flour in a large bowl.
- Add in the cocoa powder and mix until the color you desire. You may need to add more to get a darker brown.
- Pour in the oil and mix well with your hands. Keep mixing until you can squish the sand to make a ball.
- Add in your marshmallows, and items for playing with the “hot cocoa” and enjoy!
Notes
This is a taste safe moon sand recipe. The sand will make balls and form objects but can also be left as sand as well. While it is not very tasty and you don’t want to eat it, it can work for toddlers who try to taste everything. If so, make sure to bake your flour first to for it to be safe.
Marshmallows are optional.
Put the tablecloth on the ground to help avoid spilling.
Yes, this base recipe is pretty similar to the Chocolate Cloud Dough for those who remember that popular recipe of ours.
This sensory play isn’t just messy fun (though toddlers will love that!), it’s also taste-safe. While it’s not exactly a delicious treat, this recipe is perfect for little ones who love to explore with all their senses, meaning you don’t need to worry if they do put some in their mouth, or lick their fingers which let’s face it is always a possibility.
The hot cocoa theme makes it a wonderful winter or holiday activity. It’s great for indoor play during those cold months when outdoor time might be limited.
Not only is it fun, but you can also easily add in learning opportunities—talk about measuring, texture, or even pretend play like serving cups of “hot cocoa.” This type of imaginary play is so valuable for development in the early years.
Related: What is Sensory Play, and What are the Benefits?
Whether you’re using this for a quiet afternoon at home, a preschool sensory bin, or an engaging playgroup activity, this versatile recipe offers tons of fun and learning in one simple setup.
Don’t forget the tablecloth for easy clean-up, and let the imagination (and cocoa fun) flow!
Related: If you want to continue the hot cocoa theme, try making these fun hot cocoa crafts with the kids too. This is also suitable for preschoolers.
More Sensory Bins
Looking for more fun sensory bin ideas to keep your little ones entertained and learning? Sensory bins are a fantastic way to engage their curiosity and creativity while developing fine motor skills.
- Ocean Foam Sensory Bin
- Fire Rescue Chickpeas Sensory Bin
- Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
- Pre Writing Shapes Sensory Tray
- Bee-Themed Sensory Bin for Preschoolers
More Winter Learning Activities
Winter is the perfect time to embrace cozy indoor activities for kids that also encourage learning. From hands-on crafts to educational games, these winter-themed activities will keep your toddlers engaged and excited as the days get colder.
- Free Winter Dot to Dot Printable 20 Pages
- Winter PomPom Mats Free Printable Fine Motor Activity for Kids
- Winter & Christmas Color By Number Pages for Kids {Free Printables}
- 40+ Winter Sensory Play Activities to Keep Your Kids Active and Engaged
If you love this activity, be sure to share it with other parents or teachers who might enjoy bringing sensory play into their homes or classrooms!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
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