Did You Know Chocolate Was a Gift from the Gods? We Won’t Argue with That!
When ancient Mesoamericans called chocolate “food of the gods,” they were onto something—and honestly, who are we at Macaroni KID to disagree? After all, I’m pretty sure chocolate is the magical force that keeps parents going (or... maybe coffee, yeah that too). So, naturally, when we heard about the "Food of the Gods: Chocolate in Mesoamerica" program at the Hershey Story Museum, we had to check it out.
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A Sweet Lesson for All Ages
If you’re cyber or homeschooling like us, this program is a perfect excuse to dive into ancient civilizations… through chocolate! Whether your kids are tiny cocoa connoisseurs or more interested in Mesoamerican history, this hour-long program delivers. River (our almost-3-year-old), Ridley (kindergarten), and Roland (5th grade) all learned something new and stayed totally engaged—which, if you’ve ever tried to entertain multiple kids of different ages, you know is nothing short of a miracle.
First off, we got to hear all about the origins of chocolate in Maya and Aztec cultures. Spoiler: chocolate wasn’t always the solid, delicious bar we all know and love. Long before Hershey bars, they were sipping a bitter, frothy drink made from cocoa beans—and we even got to try something similar! (Don’t worry, it’s way tastier than you might expect. Although River might disagree. She may be a princess, but hasn't quite developed her royal palate.)
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The hands-on activities kept everyone entertained, from solving hieroglyph puzzles to figuring out what we could “buy” with a single pod of cocoa beans. And just when the kids thought things couldn’t get any better—bam! We made our own Mesoamerican-inspired chocolate treat to take home. Talk about hands-on learning at its sweetest.
Cross-Curricular Chaos (in the Best Way Possible)
This program isn’t just about chocolate (though that would be reason enough to go). It touches on history, geography, economics (yes, cocoa bean currency is a thing), and even some basic language skills with those Maya hieroglyphs. It’s the kind of cross-curricular program we homeschooling families dream of, combining chocolate history with hands-on fun. By the time we left, all three kids were talking about ancient civilizations like they were real-time travel experts.
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Bonus: The Scavenger Hunt!
Admission to the museum is included with the program, and the scavenger hunt through the exhibits was the perfect way to round out our visit. We planned for two hours total, but it could easily take up to three, depending on how many fascinating facts your kids want to stop and absorb. And since everything connects to chocolate, even the museum exhibits were surprisingly engaging for all ages.
A Tasty Add-On: Chocolate Tastings from Around the World
Of course, we couldn’t leave without indulging in a little extra treat. The museum offers a “Tastings: Chocolate from Around the World” experience, where you can sample warm drinking chocolates from different regions. We splurged on one flight of tastings (yes, we shared it among the three of us—parent hack!) for $13, and let me tell you, it was totally worth it. The African chocolate had fruity undertones, and the Indonesian chocolate? Caramel heaven. You’ll leave with a newfound respect for your hot cocoa game.
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Plan Your Sweet Escape
If you’re ready for a morning of educational, chocolate-filled fun (and really, who isn’t?), make sure to catch this program on any Wednesday in October. It runs at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., so you can pick the time that works best for your schedule. At $17 for ages 3 and up, it’s a steal, especially since admission to the museum and the scavenger hunt are included.
Whether your kids are tiny learners or older adventurers, the "Food of the Gods" program offers something for everyone. Advanced registration is required, so hop on that ASAP to secure your spot. And if you’ve got a larger group, private programs are available—just contact the museum for more info.
In short: Chocolate. History. Hands-on fun. This is one educational experience your kids will actually thank you for.
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