Six Ways to Use Shaving Cream for Learning + Play

In this BLOG post I will teach you how to use shaving cream for learning and play.

Shaving cream is a great sensory material. It’s soft, it’s squishy and it can be used for so many activities!

It is a universal material. It lends itself to learning, to sensory play and to arts and crafts.

It is cost effective. Grab a few bottles of Barbasol (our favorite!) the next time you are at the Dollar Tree or your local big box store. I always have two bottles on the closet, ready to go when we need it!

Shaving cream is a great base for exploring pre-writing skills, a tool to strengthen fine motor skills and can help to support self regulation.

Not into messy play? That’s ok. You don’t have to touch it! Explore it in a bag, with a paintbrush or while wearing a glove!

Shaving Cream Paint:

Materials:

• Shaving cream

• Dish soap

• Food coloring

• Muffin tin, bowl or cup

• Paintbrushes

I like to use a muffin tin because it is easy to clean, easy for my kids to use & I always have them on hand. But you can use any bowl, cup or container that you prefer! This small one is from the Dollar Tree & we use it for painting & crafting & loose parts storage!

If you are worried about spilling, put a sensory tray or baking sheet underneath the muffin tin to catch drips.

Step 1: Squirt the shaving cream into your muffin tin- I don't measure, I just fill up each spot!

Step 2: Add 3-4 drops of food coloring into each spot.

Step 3: Add 1 squirt of dish soap- this will help with the clean-up!

Step 4: Mix each spot in the muffin tin well, until all of the ingredients are incorporated.

Step 5: PLAY!

IMPORTANT:

This is NOT a taste-safe recipe. If you have children who are still exploring with their mouths, I suggest saving this recipe for later.

Shaving Cream STEM Building:

Materials:

• Shaving cream

• Pool Noodles

• Knife (for cutting)

• Sensory tray or bowl

• OR butcher paper and painter's tape

Step 1: Gather your materials and pick your play space.

Step 2: Use a sharp knife to cut the pool noodle into a variety of sizes.

Step 3: Squirt shaving cream into a sensory tray or bowl OR cover a surface with butcher paper and tape it down. Squirt shaving cream into piles on the paper. You can squirt the shaving cream into piles or into a bucket for easy scooping. If the child is able, you can allow them to squirt the shaving cream as they need it- this is EXCELLENT for strengthening fine motor skills

Step 4: !(Optional) add a few squirts of washable paint to color the shaving cream.

Step 5: PLAY!

Shaving Cream Sensory Fun:

Materials:

• Shaving cream

• Bubble wrap

• Painters tape

• Butcher paper or newspaper

Step 1: Put down newspaper or butcher paper. Tape it to the table or floor with painters tape.

Step 2: Put the bubble wrap on top. You can purchase bubble wrap or reuse packaging that comes with a shipment! Tape it down with painters tape.

Step 3: Squirt a few piles of shaving cream all around the bubble wrap.

Step 4: (optional): Squirt a few drops of washable paint into each pile. This adds an extra layer or sensory-goodness to your play. Think color identification and color mixing!

Step 5: PLAY!!!

Not only is this activity FUN for all ages, but it is also incredibly calming for some kids. Arts and crafts, particularly painting and/or sensory play is a great practice in self-regulation. It is known to reduce stress & anxiety in both children & adults. It not only encourages a quiet, peaceful environment but it also allows your brain to focus on the colors & the lines & the brush strokes, providing those "feel good feelings" that we all get when we are doing something we love!

Fluffy Slime:

Materials:

• 1/2 cup of white Elmers liquid glue

• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

• 1 tablespoon of contact lenses solution

• 3 cups of Barbasol shaving cream

• Glitter (optional)

• Food coloring (optional)

• Mixing bowl

• Mixing cup/spoon

• Sensory tray or bowl

The type of contact lenses solution matters! This serves as your activator and what turns your slime into the stretchy, smooth texture that it is! Be sure to look at the ingredients; it needs to contain boric acid!

Step 1: Pour the glue into the bowl.

Step 2: Add the baking soda, food coloring and glitter (if using) and mix well.

Step 3: Add the shaving cream. Slowly add the contact lenses solution and stir. As you continue to stir, you will see the slime begin to take shape. Once it is formed into a ball, pulling away from the sides of the bowl, it is ready!

Step 4: Grab the slime and knead it well. This will assure that all of the materials are incorporated well.

Step 5: Drop it on your sensory tray or bowl and PLAY!!!

You can add in your favorite play dough tools, cookie cutters and/or trinkets. OR just play as is, the more you stretch and squish and squeeze the dough, the stronger your fingers get!

Sensory Bin Fun:

Materials:

• Bottle of shaving cream

• Food coloring (optional)

• Mixing bowl

• Mixing cup/spoon

• Sensory tray or bowl

• Scoops and trinkets

I buy shaving cream from the Dollar Store. You want to make sure it is white shaving cream; I do not buy the gel kind!

If you are sensitive to smells, I would look for a fragrance-free option.

You do not have to use food coloring. It is still just as fun as is!

Step 1: If you are using food coloring, divide the shaving cream into bowls: one per color.

Step 2: Add 5-7 drops of food coloring into each bowl and mix well.

Step 3: Once fully incorporated, transfer the mixture to a sensory tray OR leave it divided in the bowls.

Step 4: Add in some tools (scoops, measuring cups, trinkets).

Step 5: PLAY!!!

Pre-Writing Activity:

Materials:

• Bottle of shaving cream

• Ziploc Bag

• Tape

Step 1: Ads a few squirts of shaving cream into a ziploc bag and seal.

Step 2: Tape the bag down to your surface to avoid spills.

Step 3: Practice making marks, making letters, numbers or shapes!