If you’re tired of complicated sensory activities, this ridiculously easy shaving cream sensory play activity is for you. It’s also super cheap, perfect for little hands, and a great way to keep kids entertained and engaged. Learn how to make it in just a few simple steps.
Have you ever wished for a simple, affordable, and engaging activity to keep your young children occupied?
I’ve been there too! There are countless sensory play ideas online, but many of them often require multiple ingredients and materials or special sensory tables.
Between juggling work, chores, parenting chaos, and more, we often find ourselves short on time, energy, and sometimes cash.
As a busy, chronically exhausted mom myself, I’ve discovered the joys of shaving cream play.
It’s straightforward, incredibly fun, and offers the many benefits of sensory play, like improved hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and sensory processing.
I like to think of it as incredible sensory exploration … the easy way!
Plus, it’s guaranteed to create unforgettable memories for you and your kids.
How do I know this?
Because I distinctly remember loving this messy sensory play activity as early as five years old. For whatever reason, this fun activity is a core memory that has stuck with me for nearly 30 years.
But enough about me, let’s dive into how you can set up this great sensory activity at home with minimal effort and supplies.
So, grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and get ready to discover the easiest activity for your kids … ever!
This post is all about shaving cream sensory play.
How To: Shaving Cream Sensory Play Activity
What you’ll need:
- Shaving cream (non-scented is best)
- A large tray or table covered with a garbage bag or plastic tablecloth
- Patience and an adventurous spirit (this one’s crucial!)
Shaving cream
The foaming type is undeniably the most fun to use.
You may also want to look for an unscented option if you or your kids are sensitive to fragrances.
We used the Barbasol Sensitive Skin Shaving Cream, which was super cheap, and it worked well, but it wasn’t unscented, which I would have preferred.
A large tray
This doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It’s basically to create a simple shaving cream sensory bin to keep the messy play “somewhat” contained.
A plastic tray or baking sheet you already have at home will do the trick.
You don’t even need to cover it with plastic if it’s easy to rinse off.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even cover your entire table with a plastic tablecloth to fully embrace the messiness.
Personally, I used the top of a plastic bin covered with a garbage bag to ensure that no shaving cream got into any crevices that would be hard to clean.
However, next time, I think I would use a cookie sheet and skip the garbage altogether.
Patience and an adventurous spirit
It’s important to remember that things may get messy. But that’s okay!
Sometimes, the best memories are made in the midst of controlled chaos.
Don’t let the fear of a little mess get in the way of having a good time with your little kids.
And remember, shaving cream is easy to clean up. The smiles on your children’s faces are worth any inconvenience that may come from a little mess.
So take a deep breath and enjoy the moment – mess and all!
Pro tip: Remember to dress your little ones in clothes you won’t mind getting messy. And yes, keep those towels ready!
Step-by-step guide:
1) Prepare the area
Spread a garbage bag or plastic tablecloth over your chosen surface. This helps with the clean-up afterward.
2) Squirt the shaving cream
Let your child help squirt the shaving cream onto the tray or table if they can. The more the merrier! It’s all about the tactile experience.
3) Let them explore
Now comes the fun part! Let your child squish, swirl, and spread the shaving cream with their hands. Watch as they delight in the cool, fluffy texture!
Extra fun ideas to try:
- Color Me Happy: Add a few drops of food coloring to create colorful shaving cream with a variety of different colors.
- Artistic Touch: Encourage your child to use a popsicle stick or paint brushes to create art in the shaving cream.
- Treasure Hunt: Hide small plastic toys in the foam for an exciting find and to experiment with different textures.
- Learning is Fun: For older kids, turn this into a fun learning experience by drawing letters, numbers, or shapes in the shaving cream.
- It’s Raining, It’s Pouring: Use this sensory experience as a fun way to teach your kids about weather and rain clouds.
- Use a Water Table: On those nice summer days, take the shaving cream fun outside!
There are so many different ways to experiment and explore. Be creative and let your imagination shine.
Easy clean-up
When playtime is over, simply wipe off the shaving cream with towels and wash your little one’s hands. The plastic tablecloth can be wiped off and reused if desired – easy peasy!
So, there it is.
An affordable, engaging, and ridiculously easy sensory activity that kids of all ages will love.
It’s proof that you don’t need extravagant materials or a long time to provide enriching experiences for your children.
So, why not give it a whirl? It may quickly become your and your kids’ favorite activities.
One of our goals in the early years is to create a nurturing environment where our children can learn and grow – and sometimes, all it takes is a can of shaving cream!
This activity is so much fun and a simple way to connect as a family.
It’s something kids of all ages will love. Happy Playing!
This post was all about shaving cream sensory play.
Other posts you may like:
- What is a Sensory Room? Understanding the Many Benefits for Autistic Kids
- How to Make DIY Sensory Bottles: The Simple Method That Finally Worked!
- How to Make a DIY Oil and Water Sensory Bottle For Kids