This article, Chocolate fun for kids this International Chocolate Day, is for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn new vocabulary, and discover fun facts about chocolate. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, an experienced writer and EFL teacher.
International Chocolate Day
Every year on 13 September, people celebrate International Chocolate Day. It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy something sweet, but chocolate is much more than just a treat. It has a long history, appears in famous stories and movies, and can even be good for you, if you eat it the right way!
Where does chocolate come from?
Chocolate comes from the cacao tree, which grows in warm, tropical countries. People have been enjoying cacao for thousands of years. The ancient Maya and Aztec people made a bitter chocolate drink mixed with spices. Chocolate wasn’t always sweet like the bars we eat today!
Chocolate in stories and movies
One of the most famous children’s books ever written is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. The story is about Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory, with chocolate rivers, amazing sweets, and lots of fun surprises. It has been turned into films and musicals, inspiring kids to imagine a world full of chocolate creations. Wouldn’t it be fun to spend a day in a chocolate factory?
Is chocolate good for us?
Chocolate contains antioxidants, tiny helpers that protect our bodies. Dark chocolate, made with more cacao and less sugar, is the healthiest type. Milk chocolate and white chocolate are tasty treats but contain more sugar and fat. Eating chocolate in moderation is the best way to enjoy it without harming your health.
Fun facts about chocolate
- The word “chocolate” comes from the Aztec word xocolatl, which means “bitter water”.
- A single cacao tree can produce thousands of beans each year.
- Chocolate was once used as money in ancient Central America.
- People in Switzerland eat more chocolate per person than any other country in the world.
- Chocolate isn’t always brown! White chocolate is made from cocoa butter, which comes from cacao seeds.
If you want to learn even more about chocolate, you can read The History of Chocolate here.
Article vocabulary list
- Cacao – A tropical tree whose seeds are used to make chocolate
- Bitter – A strong taste that is not sweet
- Antioxidant – Something in food that helps protect your body from damage
- Moderation – Not too much or too little, just the right amount
- Treat – A special food that you enjoy
- Factory – A building where things are made
- Imagination – The ability to create ideas and pictures in your mind
- Spice – A flavouring added to food or drink
- Delicious – Tasty and enjoyable to eat
- Inspire – To make someone feel excited or creative
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. When is International Chocolate Day celebrated?
a) 14 February
b) 13 September
c) 31 October
Answer: b) 13 September
2. Where does chocolate come from?
a) Apple trees
b) Cacao trees
c) Sugarcane plants
Answer: b) Cacao trees
3. What kind of chocolate is the healthiest?
a) White chocolate
b) Milk chocolate
c) Dark chocolate
Answer: c) Dark chocolate
4. True or false: Chocolate is always sweet.
Answer: False – it can be bitter too.
5. Which famous book is about a chocolate factory?
a) Alice in Wonderland
b) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
c) Matilda
Answer: b) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
6. What did ancient peoples sometimes use chocolate as?
a) Money
b) Medicine
c) Paint
Answer: a) Money
7. Why should chocolate be eaten in moderation?
a) Because it is heavy
b) Because too much sugar and fat is not healthy
c) Because it melts quickly
Answer: b) Because too much sugar and fat is not healthy
8. What does the word “xocolatl” mean?
a) Sweet water
b) Bitter water
c) Chocolate tree
Answer: b) Bitter water
Sinead is a writer and EFL teacher with eight years’ experience. She’s a native English speaker who loves making news stories fun and easy to understand for children around the world. Her passions include travel, animals, and helping to make the world a kinder, more sustainable place.
