As soon as the temperature dips my kids start requesting hot cocoa. I have to admit it is hard to resist a warm chocolate drink on a cold day. So I decided to surprise the kids with an after school hot cocoa station yesterday! I had so much fun with this activity that I wanted to share it with you! This set up was easy to put together and everything I used I had at home. The kids were so surprised and thrilled with this treat.  I’ll give you all the details you need to have your very own after school hot cocoa station! Be sure to stick around to the end of the post as I will share my recipe to make these peppermint marshmallow stir sticks!

As I was setting up the station, it started to snow. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for hot cocoa!

I decided to set things up outside on our porch so that the kids would notice on their walk home from the bus. My youngest was so excited to surprise them that he stood on lookout for me at the end of the driveway. Our two customers have arrived!

The kids loved being able to serve themselves. I held myself back from intervening and let them load up on all the whipped cream and goodies. After all, it was a special treat!

I had two very happy customers! Side note: My youngest does not like hot cocoa…can you imagine?!  I couldn’t resist a little hot cocoa for myself!

After School Hot Cocoa Station Must Haves

Hot Cocoa (of course)! Homemade hot cocoa is so easy to make, less expensive and healthier than the pre-made packets! I used this hot cocoa recipe and reduced the sugar by a little. It was SO YUMMY!

Whipped Cream

Sprinkles

Candy Canes

Oreos

Marshmallows (See my peppermint marshmallow recipe below)

Festive Straws

Big Mugs

Now, as promised, I want to share this easy way to make festive and yummy hot cocoa stir sticks. These peppermint coated marshmallows were the show stopper of the hot cocoa station!

You could easily customize these marshmallows by using different chocolates and different crumbled coatings!

Three simple ingredients are all you need to make this tasty treat!

Be sure to insert the peppermint sticks before you dip marshmallow into the white chocolate! I just scooped the chocolate right on the spatula and then rolled the marshmallow on the spatula.

This treat will take you ten minutes or less!

******************************************************

This activity will no doubt become a family tradition. The kids have already requested that I surprise them with another after school hot cocoa station!  It was SO much fun and a great way to bring a little joy into a gloomy, winter afternoon!

P.S. This hot cocoa station would also be perfect for the delivery and mail people that are working hard this season! How fun would it be for the kids to serve these people that come by the home!