Decorate your bulletin board with these hot chocolate mugs. Fill up your art sub plans folder with no-prep art projects that pair well with other winter crafts for kids. Great for classroom teachers and homeschooling parents wanting to “paint” on a dime.
How to Stencil Art on Hot Chocolate
Curling up next to the fire with both hands cupped around a steaming mug of hot cocoa is the quintessential winter pastime. Nothing is better as a snow day treat or Christmas Eve dessert. Using stencils with hot chocolate can add visually creative and flavorful dimensions – nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and pumpkin spice are all great options, but you can use whatever you like. We call them “coffee” stencils, but they’re great for any kind of foamy drink.
First thing’s first: What is milk froth? Milk froth is the white foam on top of cappuccinos, macchiatos, mochas and lattes. It is milk that has been mixed until fluffy. We use it to make a solid base for coffee art.
What you’ll need to stencil hot chocolate:
- Coffee stencils
- Mug
- Hot chocolate mix
- Frothable milk or milk alternative to create base for the stencil design (this guide highlights types of milks that are frothable)
- Milk or milk alternative, optional (for mixing with hot cocoa, does not need to froth)
- Frothing device (milk frother, handheld milk frother, French press, whisk and bowl)
- Spoon
- Spice of choice (cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice are our faves)
- Sifting device (flour sifter, spice sifter, any sort of mesh strainer)
- Whipped cream (optional)
Mix hot chocolate
Hot chocolate is the most flavorful when mixed with milk or a milk alternative. This type of milk does not need to froth.
Heat up your milk in a microwave or on the stovetop in a saucepan. It should be hot to the touch.
Following the instructions on your hot chocolate, pour in the recommended quantity of chocolate powder. For our mix, we only needed two teaspoons of powder for an 8 oz. mug. Use the spoon to thoroughly mix the powder into the hot milk.
Froth milk to create foam
The method for frothing depends on what type of tool you have at home. A milk frother is the easiest and fastest way to create foam, but these aren’t a very common kitchen appliance. If you have one, great! If you don’t, our favorite easy method is to use whipped cream.
Milk frother: Pour 2-3 tablespoons of milk into the milk frother. Froth for around 15-20 seconds until semi-stiff (will not be liquidy but will also not form peaks easily).
Handheld milk frother: Heat the milk until hot. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of milk into a cup or bowl and whisk with the frother on until large bubbles start foaming. Tap the bowl on a flat surface to remove large air bubbles.
French press: Heat the milk until hot. Pour into the press and plunge up and down for around 30 seconds. Pour into a pitcher or cup and tap on a flat surface to remove the bubbles.
No milk frother: Heat the milk until hot. Pour into a bowl and whisk vigorously until foamy bubbles form. Tap the bowl onto the counter to remove large bubbles.
Whipped cream: You can use either store-bought whipped cream or make your own. Homemade whipped cream will provide a smoother texture.
Description
Need a winter art activity for your bulletin board in February? Imagine these hot chocolate mug drawings in your hallway with a writing prompt. The step by step drawing tutorial and PowerPoint also makes perfect no prep, emergency art sub plans for elementary art and general ed teachers.
A fun roll a dice game, ‘you pick’ worksheet, and digital spinners helps kids choose patterns. And, boost their confidence and creativity.
And, it’ll help cash-straped teachers like you plan winter art projects using only markers. Yes, you can watercolor paint with markers! This hot chocolate art lesson includes a mug template for easy drawing.
Can I tell you a secret? It’s hard to get kids writing in ELA. When they’re not invested in it, they can’t connect with what they’re writing about. Mic drop! Incorporating creative winter art activities like this hot chocolate mug project helps. Finally keep all kids engaged!
Art Sub Plans Video for Hot Chocolate Art Game
I’ve designed 3 different ways for students to attempt this art project. All will motivate kids to create! Choose which way works best for your classes:
- Roll a dice game to add randomness to your student’s artwork
- “You Pick” art worksheet for kids to choose their own patterns
- Digital spinner wheels, so kids can randomly pick patterns and you can integrate technology
- Printable dice template in case you have no dice
- Step-by-step picture directions to guide students through the art process
- Hot Chocolate Mug Template which kids can draw directly on it or transfer it to heavy drawing paper
- Drawing practice worksheet, so kids can practice drawing patterns
- 2 Writing Prompts, so you can tie this drawing project to literacy
- 2Coloring pages that you can use for absent students or hand out as a classroom prize
- Helpful Tips & Tricks handout with teacher directions to help guide the lesson
How to Use This Hot Chocolate Drawing Project
The best part about this hot cocoa art project is that it’s flexible and can be used in many ways throughout your classroom. It’s great for maternity or emergency art sub plans, early finisher activities, indoor recess, or even an after-school art club.
- 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF (Hot Chocolate Drawing Project)
- 1 Non-Editable PowerPoint
- 5 Digital Spinner Videos (downloadable, and links to them on Google Slides and YouTube)
- Paperless Google Drive Digital Resource
