Looking for a fun winter activity that your little ones will LOVE? This hot cocoa sensory bin is a perfect way to bring a little pretend play into your day!
When we made ours, I used Cocoa Puffs cereal, mini marshmallows, and mini candy canes to create an edible hot cocoa sensory bin. I also put together some printable hot cocoa recipe cards so kids can follow along and make their own pretend cups of hot chocolate!
You can also make this activity with non-edible materials! So whether you're setting up a sensory bin at home with your preschooler or creating a winter sensory table for your classroom, I've got ideas for both.
Grab your measuring cups and marshmallows, and let's get started!
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Materials Needed
When we made this sensory bin at home, we used all edible materials! Of course, if you’d rather have a more traditional, non-edible sensory bin, you can do that, too. I’ve got ideas for both!
Edible Sensory Bin Materials:
Cocoa Puffs (or similar) cereal
Mini marshmallows
Mini candy canes
Traditional/Non-edible Sensory Bin Materials:
Pinto beans, brown rice, or strips of brown fabric
White pom poms or cotton balls
Plastic candy canes or wrapped peppermint sticks
Tools for the Activity:
Large bin (this one would work great)
Measuring cups, spoons, bowls and/or cups
Setting Up Your Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin
To set this activity up, I filled a large plastic bin about halfway with Cocoa Puffs cereal. Then I added in a few generous handfuls of mini marshmallows, and 10-20 unwrapped mini candy canes!
If you’re using non-edible materials, just start with your base (pinto beans, rice, or fabric), and then add your other materials – pom poms and plastic candy canes, for example – on top!
I cut out our recipe cards on plain paper, but you might want to consider either using cardstock or laminating them, especially if you’re using them in a classroom center with lots of children!
Safety reminder: Whichever version of this sensory bin you’re creating (edible or not), some pieces are small and could be a choking hazard for your very littlest learners! Always use your best judgment when choosing materials, and supervise little ones carefully.
Time to Play!
Now comes the fun part! I set the recipe cards out next to our sensory bin, and my then-four-year-old Ella was VERY eager to jump right in (after asking to eat a candy cane, of course!).
Ella scooped, poured, followed recipes, and served us hot cocoa. This sensory bin is SO fun for imaginative play!
Want to add a little learning to the play? Try asking your child a few questions as they go! For example:
How do the marshmallows feel when you squish them?
Can you count how many candy canes you’ve added?
If you add one more candy cane, how many will you have in total?
Can you fill this cup halfway with cocoa? How about all the way?
Can you find something bigger/smaller to scoop the cocoa with?
(Or, you may choose to ask no questions at all! If your child starts playing independently and you want them to continue - that would be a good time to butt out! Asking questions may distract your child from their independent play, so if that’s your goal, save the questions for another time.)
More Hot Cocoa Fun
This set of printable recipe cards comes with a delicious homemade hot cocoa recipe! You can make it FOR your child, or if you’re brave, include them in the creation process and make homemade hot cocoa WITH your child!
If you’re a classroom teacher looking to make hot cocoa for a larger group of students, an easy hack is to bring your crockpot to class! You can pour hot cocoa packets and water right into the crockpot, stir, and set it on low. It will make delicious hot cocoa for you! (Just be careful - the cocoa will be HOT!)
Looking for more cocoa-themed crafts and activities? You’re going to love this Hot Cocoa Countdown to Christmas!
And check out these hot cocoa-themed books:
Hot Cocoa Calm by Kira Willey
The Sweet Story of Hot Chocolate by Stephen Krensky
Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? by Etta Kaner
And for more fun sensory play ideas, be sure to check out this easy fall sensory bin!
Ready to Make Your Own Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin?
Whether you make an edible version with Cocoa Puffs and mini marshmallows or put together a non-edible sensory bin with pom poms and pretend candy canes, this is such a fun activity for winter!
Want to add a little extra pretend play? My Hot Cocoa Recipe Cards give kids a fun way to follow recipes, scoop and measure ingredients, and create their own pretend cups of hot chocolate.
I hope your little ones have as much fun with this activity as Ella did!
