Let’s be honest, parents—when the holidays hit, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing everything for everyone else. But if you’re the type who dreams of sipping gourmet hot chocolate in peace while your kids are joyfully entertained, then The Hershey Story Museum has your number this holiday season. What starts as an “innocent” family outing might just be the perfect excuse for you to indulge in rich, chocolatey goodness. Here’s why you and your crew need to add this to your holiday calendar.
Whimsical Winter Crafts
Saturdays: Dec. 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2024 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Get ready to unleash your kids’ creative side! Each Saturday, your little ones can whip up a wintery craft in the museum’s classroom. From glittering snowflakes to adorable holiday keepsakes, these crafts will add a handmade touch to your decor. While they’re busy gluing and glittering, you can try out some of the vintage toys or snap a holiday photo with a snowy Hershey scene. Admission includes crafting supplies, but the memories? Those are priceless.
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Snowball Saturdays
Saturdays: Dec. 14 and 21, 2024 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Let’s face it: the holidays can bring out the sibling squabbles. Why not channel that energy into something safe, fun, and slightly ridiculous? Snowball Saturdays feature friendly (we promise!) indoor snowball fights. Picture it: your children, armed with faux snowballs, hurling away their frustrations at each other under the approving gaze of a friendly museum snowman. No mess, no tears, just plenty of giggles and a safe outlet for those “my brother touched my stuff” moments.
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New Year’s Eve Countdown
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 | 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Forget keeping your kids awake until midnight—The Hershey Story Museum has the perfect solution. Join their daytime New Year’s Eve celebration, complete with bubble-wrap stomps that are as satisfying as they sound. (Seriously, is there anything better than a symphony of popping bubbles?) Ring in the New Year without bedtime battles, and do it all on the museum patio—weather permitting, of course.
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Chocolate Lab Classes: Holiday Edition
Nov. 29, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025 | Times vary
Here’s where the real magic happens: The Chocolate Lab. A 45-minute escape into the world of chocolate-making, where even the least crafty among us can create edible masterpieces. With holiday-themed options like Candy Cane Bark and Reindeer Medallions, it’s fun for kids aged 5 and up—and, let’s be honest, adults, too. (Pro tip: book early; spots fill faster than you can say “Marshmallow Mischief.”)
- Candy Cane Bark – Layered milk and white chocolate with crushed peppermint.
- Let It Snow Chocolate – Edible winter scenes, chocolate, and snowflake sprinkles.
- Make a Very Merry Bar – Mold and decorate your own milk chocolate bar.
- Marshmallow Mischief – Dunk a giant marshmallow in chocolate, then roll in toppings.
- Reindeer Medallions – Create a trio of adorable chocolate reindeer.
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Comfy Cozy Cocoa
Nov. 24 – Dec. 31, 2024
Picture this: You, sipping a warm mug of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint, while your kids are mesmerized by the holiday festivities. Add in a chocolate-covered pretzel rod for stirring, and you’ve reached peak holiday indulgence. For just $9, it’s the ultimate “treat yourself” moment of the season.
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Whether it’s snowball fights, chocolate crafts, or festive sips, The Hershey Story Museum is delivering holiday cheer with a side of cocoa-covered brilliance. Come for the family fun, stay for the chocolate—and let’s be real, everyone will leave smiling (and maybe a little sticky).
For the full schedule and tickets, visit HersheyStory.org.
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Disclaimer: While the ideas and the bulk of the brilliance are all mine, I confess that I enlisted the help of ChatGPT for minor edits and revisions. Why? Because AI is the friendliest grammarian I know—no red pen, no judgment, just pure, unadulterated love for a well-placed comma. So if you find any rogue semicolons or unnaturally perfect phrasing, you can thank my digital editor for that.
