What Happens When Snowmen Fall into Hot Cocoa? An Easy Kids Winter Craft Idea Comes To Life!
Our Paint Splat Cauldron craft took off like a broomstick a few fall seasons ago. You made hundreds of bubbling, oozing, glittery cauldrons, and we loved every photo. So we asked ourselves what would happen if we gave that same squishy paint magic a cozy winter makeover.
Meet the Hot Chocolate Mug craft. It’s a free printable paper mug filled with swirly “cocoa” made from dimensional paint, topped with little melting snowmen and sparkly snowflakes. It’s messy in the best way, easy to set up, and just as fun to make as it is to look at.
This craft works well at the kitchen table, in a classroom, or at a winter party. Kids get to squeeze, swirl, and sprinkle, and you get a sweet keepsake that looks great on the fridge or a bulletin board.
Craft Supplies:
- Free printable hot chocolate mug template – password is GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS2026
- Tulip Slick Dimensional Paint in Brown
- Tulip Puff Paint in Metallic Gold
- Snowflake sequins/loose craft glitter
- White dot stickers (for the snowmen marshmallows)
- Markers (black and orange)
- Construction paper (tan or kraft paper makes a cozy background)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Directions:
These Melting Snowmen Are Taking a Hot Cocoa Bath!
- Please make sure you have a good working area that can get dirty because paint will squeeze out of the sides of this craft!!!
- First fold your kraft colored cardstock in half {you need one sheet of cardstock, per hot cocoa craft.}
- Unfold and squirt some brown paint on one side of the paper. Be sure to keep the paint inside the paper and not place too much down. Just enough to make a marbled design.
- Once the paint is down, go ahead and fold/squish your paper together again. Be sure to rub your hand all over the folded piece, so the paint will cover your the inside nicely {paint WILL more than likely squeeze out the sides, so be sure to pay attention to that and clean up with baby wipes!}
- Now carefully unfold your piece to reveal your “hot chocolate” design inside. This will be the inside of your cocoa mug. Sprinkle some loose craft glitter on top of the wet paint if desired. Set aside.
- Now grab your mug printout. Cut it out, along with the inside of the mug design.
- To finish the Paint Splat Hot Cocoa Mug craft – add glue to the back of and lay your mug piece on top of the paint splat design.
- Finish off by adding some dot sticker “snowmen marshmallows” floating in the inside.
- When done, set aside your pieces to let them dry completely before trimming it up to display proudly.
Fun Ways to Switch It Up
- Peppermint mocha: Add a few tiny red and white sequins for a candy cane twist.
- Caramel cocoa: Use a lighter brown or tan paint for a caramel-colored drink, like our blue mug.
- Marshmallow mountain: Swap snowmen for small white pom-poms to make a mug piled high with marshmallows.
- Design your own mug: Print the template on white paper and let kids color their own patterns before they cut.
- Winter display: Line up a whole class of mugs on a bulletin board with a “Warm Wishes” or “Snow Much Fun” banner.
RELATED —> Reindeer Hot Cocoa Mug Craft Idea For Kids
This craft fits nicely into winter themes at home or school. Pair it with a story about snowmen or hot cocoa. Talk about what happens when snow gets warm. Count the snowmen in each mug, sort sequins by color, or write a short sentence about a favorite winter treat. A simple craft can turn into a full afternoon of learning and giggles.
BTW – we love seeing your crafts come to life. If you loved our Paint Splat Cauldron, we think this winter version will be a new favorite. Snap a photo of your Hot Chocolate Mug and share it on social media with Glued To My Crafts. We can’t wait to see your swirly cocoa and silly melting snowmen. Stay cozy, and happy crafting!
