Few things say cosy afternoon quite like a warm mug of hot chocolate. Whether you are coming in from a chilly school run, settling down for a family film or simply trying to make an ordinary Saturday feel a little more special, hot chocolate has a remarkable ability to turn it into an occasion.
And while a classic hot chocolate is always a winner, it is surprisingly easy to make it feel extra exciting for little ones. Think whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate curls and plenty of imagination.
These 10 hot chocolate ideas for kids are simple to make, delicious and perfect for those moments when everyone deserves a little treat.
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1. Classic Marshmallow Hot Chocolate
Sometimes keeping things simple is the way to go. Make a creamy hot chocolate with warm milk and your favourite drinking chocolate, then top it with a generous handful of mini marshmallows.
For an extra cosy touch, add a little dusting of cocoa powder or grated chocolate. It is the sort of drink that practically demands a blanket and a Christmas film, even if it is only October.
2. Snowman Hot Chocolate
Turn an ordinary mug into a snowman with a mountain of whipped cream and a few carefully placed toppings.
Add two chocolate chips for eyes, a tiny orange sweet or piece of orange peel for a nose and a couple of chocolate buttons for the mouth. Finish with mini marshmallows around the top and you have a very cheerful cup of hot chocolate.
It may take considerably longer to make than drinking it, but watching the children decorate their own snowman is half the fun.
3. Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate
For a delicious twist on the classic, add a little orange zest to your hot chocolate while it warms. You can also stir in a small amount of melted chocolate orange for an extra indulgent flavour.
Top with whipped cream and a little grated chocolate, then add a twist of orange zest for a grown up looking finish.
It tastes like Christmas in a mug without requiring anyone to wrestle with a complicated recipe.
4. Strawberry Hot Chocolate
Pink hot chocolate is always going to get attention from children.
Make a white chocolate hot chocolate and add a little strawberry syrup or strawberry powder for flavour and colour. Top with whipped cream and pink or white sprinkles.
You could even add a fresh strawberry on top if you are feeling particularly fancy. Just remember that the whipped cream is likely to disappear before the strawberry gets anywhere near the bottom of the mug.
5. Kinder Style Hot Chocolate
For children who take their chocolate very seriously, this one is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Make your usual hot chocolate with milk and drinking chocolate, then stir through a little melted milk chocolate for an extra creamy finish. Add whipped cream, chocolate pieces and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
You could finish it with a wafer or chocolate bar on the side for dipping.
6. Mint Chocolate Hot Chocolate
Mint and chocolate make an excellent combination, especially on a cold afternoon.
Add a small amount of peppermint flavouring to your hot chocolate before topping it with whipped cream and grated chocolate. You can also use a little mint chocolate melted into the drink.
Keep the mint subtle for younger children because a little goes a surprisingly long way.
7. Birthday Cake Hot Chocolate
Who says hot chocolate is only for cold weather?
For birthdays, sleepovers or simply because it is Tuesday, make a birthday cake inspired hot chocolate. Add vanilla syrup to a creamy hot chocolate, then top with whipped cream and a generous sprinkling of colourful sprinkles.
Serve it in a fun mug with a little biscuit on the side and suddenly the most ordinary afternoon feels like a celebration.
8. Biscoff Hot Chocolate
If your family loves Biscoff, this is one to try.
Stir a spoonful of Biscoff spread into warm milk before adding your drinking chocolate. The result is creamy, caramelised and wonderfully comforting.
Top with whipped cream, crushed Biscoff biscuits and a drizzle of melted Biscoff spread. You could also pop a whole biscuit on the side for dunking, although there is a strong chance it will not survive long.
9. White Hot Chocolate
White chocolate makes a wonderfully creamy alternative to traditional hot chocolate.
Warm milk gently and stir through chopped white chocolate until melted. Add a splash of vanilla extract if you like, then pour into a mug and top with whipped cream.
Finish with white chocolate curls, mini marshmallows or festive sprinkles. It is particularly lovely for winter afternoons when you want something that feels a little different.
10. Hot Chocolate Bar
For the ultimate family treat, let everyone make their own.
Prepare a big jug of warm hot chocolate and set out little bowls of toppings. Children can choose their own whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate buttons, sprinkles, grated chocolate, biscuits and sauces.
It is a brilliant idea for a playdate, Christmas gathering or family film night because everyone gets to create their own masterpiece.
Just expect the kitchen to end up looking like a small chocolate factory.
Make It Extra Special with a Velvetiser
If hot chocolate is a regular feature in your house, the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser can make those cosy moments feel a little more special.
The Velvetiser creates a rich, smooth hot chocolate at the touch of a button, making it particularly handy for family film nights, weekend treats or those afternoons when everyone needs cheering up. Hotel Chocolat also has a range of hot chocolate flakes and flavours, so there are plenty of options to try.
For children, half the fun is in the toppings. Pour the hot chocolate into their favourite mug and let them add whipped cream, mini marshmallows, chocolate curls or a few colourful sprinkles.
It is certainly more of an investment than a saucepan and a tin of drinking chocolate, but if your family loves hot chocolate, it can turn making a cup into part of the occasion.
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