Irresistible Chocolate Play Dough

This chocolate play dough is almost good enough to eat! As a bonus, chocolate is good at any time of the year, easily tied into multiple themes. Is Valentine’s Day around the corner? Add the heart-shaped cookie cutters and some empty chocolate candy boxes. Planning a Winter theme? Add small mugs and white pom-poms and then employ them while the Hot Drink Café is set up in the dramatic play area.  Using the Donut Shop dramatic play center? Get out different-sized circle cookie cutters and sprinkles!  And even if you don’t have any other reason, it’s fun and smells great all by itself.

Chocolate Play Dough Recipe

The best part about having an amazing go-to play dough recipe is that it is super simple to make variations!  For this one, simply add some cocoa powder!

• 1 cup water
• 2 Tbsp. oil
• 1 Tbsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup flour

How to make Chocolate Play Dough:

• Mix the first 5 ingredients (everything except for the flour!) into a saucepan.
• Cook on the stove over medium heat, stirring well.
• Then, add the cup of flour.
• Reduce heat and stir vigorously until the dough forms a ball.
• Remove from heat.
• Let the dough cool and knead well.
• Store in an airtight container. It will last for months!

Invitation to Play

Setting up the invitation to play at this center only requires about five minutes and a few props.

Props:

• cookie cutters
• candy boxes or small boxes
• rolling pins
• white pom poms (for marshmallows)
• aluminum foil
• mini muffin liners (for cupcakes)
• Sequins or small beads (for sprinkles)

Students will love making pretend candy and cupcakes for each other! Adding some dramatic play props, such as chefs’ hats and aprons, can add excitement.

Play dough is more than just a fun way to keep young children occupied and entertained. Children playing with the dough can get so much more out of it than just fun! (More about that here!)

Need more ideas? Try these Valentine’s Day Learning Centers!

Chocolate Play Dough Makes a Great Gift!

Need a treat to pass out this Valentine’s Day?  Make up a big batch, portion them into individual bags or containers, and send them home along with the free printable bag tags!