Sensory
Valentine's DayToddlersPreschoolersKindergartners46 Comments
Whip up some sensory foam using just dish soap and your food processor! Let your kids explore the foam for a fun sensory experience for all ages!
This sensory foam has been on my list to do again with the boys for ages. It’s been a long time since I did this with George and Henry for Valentine’s Day one year.
Super Simple Soapy Sensory Foam Activity for Kids
Louis got to join in the fun this time, and we kept it super simple this time, no color added. Just foam.
Its a wonderful sensory activity for kids of all ages!
Keep reading for a peek back at our Valentine’s Day sensory foam fun!
The kids love making this stuff as much as they do playing with it!
So I brought the food processor down to floor level and let them have at it. You can use a blender too.
All it takes it a tad bit of water added with a squirt of dish soap.
Blend it together until it fills up the entire container.
It should get nice and thick.
I poured it onto trays for the boys to explore with.
The boys each went to the kitchen to grab their favorite utensils. Of course, the whisks and egg beaters are their first choices.
Something that surprised me was that they used the “plug” thingy that goes on the top of the food processor that you can take out to pour in more while it’s mixing.
What the heck is that called?
Anyway, they used that to make ice cream cones and serve to each other. It was fantastic pretend play!
We mixed up several batches. And whenever the foam started to “deflate,” I’d pour it back into the food processor and they’d mix it up again.
It was a fantastic sensory activity that kept them busy for a long, long time.
Plus, all the soap everywhere cleaned my floors afterward.
You could always set down a shower curtain, or better yet, take it outside!
Check out this glimpse into our past Valentine’s Day sensory foam activity!
I saw this snow sensory activity from dish soap on You Pinspire Me.
I was collecting ideas for the Snow Collection. Right away, I knew that it was something the boys would love and we simply had to do it.
And it’s so easy, your child can do it all!
I put some dish soap in a measuring cup (just squirted a good amount) and added a tad bit of water.
Dumped that in my food processor, and let the kids foam it up!
And that’s it! It’s foam!
The longer you do it, the foamier and thicker it gets!
We made batch after batch of dish soap foam! Seriously, like 6 batches of it.
A few of them, we added food coloring too! Purples and pinks for Valentine’s Day, of course.
I set down towels and trays and bowls. Expecting the kids to nicely play on the floor.
Instantly, it was moved to the dishwasher.
My dishwasher is nice and clean and shiny now. A major benefit to working with soap!
I should have moved it to the shower or tub! It could use a good cleaning…
Bonus: Your food processor gets a good cleaning too!
Once they tired of the soap sensory foam on its own, we moved it to the sink and added a tad bit more water.
Oh, what a fun morning it was! And such a great sensory experience for both the boys to do an activity together.
The food coloring does add a little something to the activity, and to clothes, and hands. The food coloring dyed whatever else it got on, too.
It did come out of all clothes thankfully.
This is one of the 50 Activities Just for your Toddler! What’s your favorite hands-on toddler activity?
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Lisa says
I can hardly wait to try several of the activates it seems sometimes your “idea” well has run dry. Thank you for sharing.
Tiffany Edwards says
What if you do not have a food processor? Or blender? What could you use instead?
Tabitha Lightfoot says
Hi Tiffany! A hand mixer would work as well.
Hannah Knecht says
A hand mixer with soap and water would do the trick to make the soapy suds to play with too (if you don’t have a food processor). Love that your kids used it in their imaginary play, and you got your floors cleaned in the process too! Thanks for sharing!
Zinah says
Maybe I’m an idiot, but to me “a little bit of water” means like a tablespoon. We had several miserable fails before we figured out we needed about 1/3 of a cup! Adding approximate amounts to the blog post would have really helped us out!
Sarah says
Just a note if your little ones like to put everything all over their faces… dish soap stings eyes!! I learnt the hard way, and now use baby shampoo. Much better! :)
Danielle says
This is one brilliant idea, I run a childcare setting so will definitely try this and instead off dish washing liquid I’m going to use baby shampoo to prevent eye sting
Carmel says
Oh my word this was fun. But me and my son look like the incredible hulk now with the food colouring ha ha oh dear!!
Carmel says
Oh my word this was fun. But me and my son look like the incredible hulk now with the food colouring ha ha oh dear!! No food colouring next time i dont think!!
Becky Anne says
Loved this activity, HOWEVER, I would suggest using tears free baby shampoo. The 20 month old I watch had fun playing for about an hour and then rubbed his eyes with soapy hands… It was all downhill from there.
Also, yes, you can use a blender.
MichelleWillow says
Love the pictures! He had so much fun! :)
Setjay says
Definitely makin this tomorrow in the “seashell pool” !
Britt says
It works great with a hand mixer and a big bowl. I’ve made batches big enough for a whole classroom of kids. For less staining, add a few drops of water based tempera paint instead of food coloring. It makes bright colors, but washes out of everything!
Brianna Graber says
Thanks, Britt! Still need to try this, we got busy with finger paint, rubber stamping and some other things so haven’t gotten to it. Perhaps this week. Maybe I’ll try a blender first so I can let Jamie know if it works- and it’s nice to know it’ll work with a mixer if that fails. :-)
Brianna Graber says
Do you think it would work with a blender? I don’t have a food processor….but I love this idea! Just started reading through your “50 things to do w/toddler” ideas, and am excited about implementing them with my daughter. I feel like I lack creativity, but want to find fun and economical things for her to explore- so your list is the perfect thing to jump-start me!
Jamie says
Brianna – I’m not sure, I don’t have a blender!! ha ha! I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try it though. I don’t know why it wouldn’t work. Or you could do it with a hand mixer maybe? Or a stand mixer with the wisk attachment if you have one of those? Not sure. I’d love to hear how it turns out for you however you decide to do it.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the 50 Toddler Activities! Toddlers are hard to entertain sometimes! I’m learning the the simpler the better for them. Keep it as uncomplicated as possible. Enjoy!
Stacey says
Did this today with my 19-month-old son (his twin sister was napping) – it kept him entertained for an hour! All I had to do was refill the foam every 5-10 minutes, and give him toys to play with foam every once in a while. Thanks!!!
Jamie says
Yay! Isn’t it fun to even make?! :) hehe. Love that you added toys to it. Great idea!
Didi {Duck Duck Octopus} says
Great idea! This is such a neat way to make cleaning our floor into a fun family activity. I can't wait to try this over the weekend.
Anonymous says
use the foam to paint in the bathtub,and avoid the mess :)
JDaniel4's Mom says
This looks like a great way to do spring cleaning!
Marya says
Looks like fun! Thanks for coming by our blog http://www.youpinspireme.blogspot.com! I tried some food colouring once but we ended up with a greenish tinge on our kitchen table… :)
Allison says
Definitely going to have to do this with my kiddos.
MiaB says
So much fun!!! I love that you added food coloring on it :)
ANIYA ANTOINE says
COOL MY SON LIK THIS ALL READY
Jode says
Great messy activity…your pics convey so much fun!
Jessica says
What a great sensory activity. I'll definitely be adding this to my "must do" list!
Sonya at The Three Bears Get Crafty says
I love that they "washed" the dishwasher for you! I may have to try this some time when I need to get some cleaning done so I have a little helper instead of a little distracter. :)
Growing a jeweled rose says
This looks like so much fun! I am definitely doing it with my girls! :)