Messy Learning Lab: Shaving Cream Table

Bubble wrap table with shaving cream swirl all over

The Messy Learning Lab is a program I created for the library children to enjoy messy play with friends and family. I'll be sharing an activity from the lab each day this week!

I still have a large quantity of bubble wrap, so I covered a table with it. Masking tape didn't work, so I used packing tape to secure large sheets over and under the table. I envisioned a large mountain of shaving cream in the middle of the table as an invitation, but I just couldn't get that much out at once. 

The Lab lasts for two hours, so families can come at the best time for them and stay as long as they want. With ten messy activities available, you can really tell who is allowed to make a mess at home. Some of the children put a couple of fingers or a whole hand in the shaving cream, then immediately ask for washing up.

While others show great abandon.

I use regular shaving cream, which has a nice, fresh scent and smooth texture. The bubble wrap provides sound with gentle popping as the shaving cream is spread and squished. I am sharing this activity first because it is the least messy and easiest to clean up. It can also be adapted for the home by taking it outside or to the bathtub.

To clean, I simply pull the wrap free, fold it over the mess, and toss it. We have wood floors at the library, so I just used an extra paint shirt to wipe up the floor and a dry mop to suck up the moisture. The children can likewise be wiped clean with a dry cloth and smell wonderful afterwards.

Be sure to check back for more messy activities!

Sharing with Montessori Monday and Tuesday Tots and It's Playtime

Sensory Tub: Fizzy Bathtime

Still uploading pics from cell (fuzzy)

I mixed cornstarch, baking soda and water with food coloring to make bath paint. It was a little runny, so I'd use less water next time. Here is a recipe for outside painting. I stuck the boats and helicopters from our Transportation sensory tub to be painted with the addition of a cut-out of Buzz Lightyear.

When Bobo saw the invitation, he immediately asked for his Toy Story toys. Luckily, I had just organized his toys and could grab the box. Instead of painting the walls and cut-outs like I anticipated, he painted his toys. He pretended they were in disguise and had lots of adventures.

Bobo sprayed the toys with vinegar to get them clean. Since the paints had baking soda in them, they reacted with the vinegar by fizzing. He thought it was cool, but taking too long and asked for the bath to be filled, so he could get them really clean.

Sensory Tub: Transportation

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about a sensory tub fail. With a little more preparation and using items from our school for the Transportation theme, we had a success (and no eating the props!). I used blue tempera paint for the water, foam boat and helicopter cut-outs and shaving cream for puffy clouds. I sprinkled some glitter on the clouds to make them sparkle.

I added yellow and blue elements like a duck, strainer, pitcher and boats. I filled a spray bottle with green water, because that's what you get when you mix yellow and blue. Finally, I filled up the tub with blue water. Bobo's favorite part of the bath was spraying the clouds to make green rain.

Sensory Tub: Ocean FAIL

It all began when I sat down with Bobo and showed him Crystal's fun sensory baths. I didn't expect him to want to have a play bath (as we are calling them) right away. I wanted to take advantage of his enthusiasm, and (let's face it) willingness to get into the bath. I also didn't anticipate how these play baths would be VERY different with MY boy.

I planned to paint some waves on around the bath with a shaving cream and food color mix. Bobo wanted to help.

"We need ocean creatures." I hunted, but couldn't find the extra box of bath toys with the shark. We settled for an octopus, hippo and elephant.

I probably should have figured out how to dye cooked pasta before this tub. Maybe explained better? I definitely shouldn't have put Bobo's favorite food (noodles) into the tub without expecting him to eat it. "Mama, these noonles taste funny." Could it be the shaving cream on your face?

Let's have a pasta throwing contest, instead.

When all else fails, bring out the big guns (or big bubbles as the case may be).

Since this auspicious beginning, we've had a few successful sensory tubs. The hot weather lends itself nicely to water play, so we'll keep trying. It's not always pretty, but always messy and fun.