The Best Hot Cocoa Picnic| In the Snow

I know it’s cold outside. It’s winter! But that is no reason to stay cooped up in the house! There are adventures to embark on, and some are waiting for you in your backyard.

This winter has been the winter of hot cocoa! I knew the girls were going to enjoy it, but I truly had no idea to the extent that they were going to love it. A few weeks ago, I was playing with a little picnic set up in the basement when my oldest came walking down. After she saw me she squealed, “We should have a HOT COCOA PICNIC!!”

Conveniently, it was snowing. After I checked the weather I discovered it was all supposed to melt in a couple of days.

The good news is, throwing a hot cocoa picnic together is quick & easy.

Elements for a Hot Cocoa Picnic

Picnic Table

This picnic table has received so much love in the short amount of time we’ve had it. If you haven’t seen the DIY yet, you should go check it out HERE.

Then build one so you’re backyard picnic adventures can begin!

Since this was a picnic with beverages and not food, it was important to have a flat surface to keep the drinks from spilling. This pallet table was the perfect solution.

We have an outdoor table, but it’s one of those regular tables. You know the kind you need a chair to sit at haha!

Having everything low was perfect for a hot cocoa break in the middle of snowball fights, and sledding.

We all had our snow pants, coats, gloves, hats, and scarves on, so sitting in the snow didn’t bother us at all. It actually seemed to make the picnic feel more true to the style of picnics we’ve been having.

Ever since we built this boho-style picnic table, we have replaced chairs with pillows and blankets.

Hot Cocoa Picnic Toppings

Now that we had the table situation all sorted out we just took all the hot cocoa fixings from our hot cocoa bar in the house and dumped them into easy-to-access bowls.

I will say, it was actively snowing while we were playing.

So by the time we got over to the hot cocoa picnic, we had snow on our toppings. But no one seemed to mind since we were all so anxious to warm up!

The toppings we used were:

• peppermint
• marshmallows
• white chocolate chips
• milk chocolate chips
• sprinkles
• cool whip

The middle bowl was filled with hot cocoa powder.

Shatter Proof Cups

Remember when I told you about these mugs in my hot cocoa bar post? I loved them then, and I love them even more now!

They are great for the girls to use in the house. When the occasional accident happens we are never cleaning up glass.

This is wonderful, but these cups are also perfect for outdoor use for that same reason! I didn’t have to worry a bit about the cups getting knocked over, or slipping out of glove covered hands.

I was able to enjoy the experience so much more because of this!

Kettle Or Thermos

I used a kettle, but a thermos might work better if you plan on playing for a while before taking your hot cocoa picnic break.

All I did was boil the water before we got ready to head out. Once we were all dressed in our winter gear, I grabbed the hot water and set it out on the table.

It stayed warm enough for our girls, but as I said, if you plan on playing for a while a thermos would probably keep the water hotter for longer.

Fitting Decor for Winter

The table decor wasn’t necessary, but for me it was fun! Like I usually do, I kept it simple.

I took a tip from Robyns French Nest and simply placed a bowl of evergreens beside a vintage bucket of evergreens. I love it! A bowl with greenery just laying there.

Beautiful simplicity!

I also added candles because the girls LOVE them. Unfortunately, it was so windy I couldn’t light them. But I kept them on the table anyway.

That’s it! It’s truly that simple to create a fun memory in your backyard!

It was special enough for my family to know that I was being intentional to show them love, but not so extravagant that it caused me stress.

So Why A Hot Cocoa Picnic in the Snow?

Intentionally Loving My Family

Recently, my youngest was trying to talk to me while I was standing in the kitchen. I didn’t hear anything except her repeating my name because I was looking at my phone.

To make myself feel better I’m willing the memory to be that I was reading a recipe for dinner that night.

But you and I both know that’s probably not what I was doing.

Then my oldest came up to her and said “You know you can’t talk to Mommy when she is looking at her phone.”

I’m filled with unpleasant emotions just recalling this memory.

I’m literally crying right now…

I’m sure I’m not the only one with a story like this.

But that’s why.

I’ve missed so many things in their little lives. This isn’t all bad, I’m only one person and can’t see everything.

But sometimes I miss things simply because I’m not being intentional with the time I’ve been given.

That is why we had a hot cocoa picnic in the snow.

A picnic doesn’t have to be this big extravagant thing to be memorable and special.

We’ve had ordinary backyard picnics whose memories will rival the memories of some of our most extravegant adventures.

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Thanks so much for stopping by to see our fun hot cocoa picnic in the snow! Make sure you follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram so we can continue to encourage each other in between posts.

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Have a great week! XoXo

One more thing, head over to the new Free Printables page and download the ABC Scripture Cards I made for more memories with your family. I shared a post on it last week.

Open Your Doors,
Aliya