Sensory Play: Ain’t No Party Like A Toddler Foam Party
Hello my loves!
I don’t know what this stuff is actually called, but we always call it ‘having a foam party’, which often leads me to start singing modified versions of S Club 7 – although “foam party” does also lead one to think of Fresher’s week and girls ‘holidays’ in Ibiza. Awks.
Luke loves foam sensory play and it’s pretty much a guaranteed half an hour of occupied toddler time, allowing me to have a cup of tea or hang the washing up. Add a few plastic toys to the mix and everything is ten million times better.
We use stacking cups, scoops, bath boats (99p shop), Megabloks and small containers – I also always give Luke a whisk. He keeps the bubbles going that little bit longer that way.
I use 1 cup of water, 1 cup of washing up liquid and about a table spoon of cornflour and also some green food colouring (or liquid watercolours). It really isn’t worth using the more expensive brand of washing up liquid (Fairy or similar) for this just because of how I use. It’s much better to get a cheapy brand. Having said that, I do use stuff that is designed for sensitive skin. I’m sure there are variations on this recipe.
We chuck all this into a washing up bowl and use the electric hand whisk to foam it all up. You can do it by hand, or you can put it in the food mixer and just empty it into your container. Empty it into your desired container and repeat for as much foamy goodness as is required. The cornflour makes the bubbles seem softer and I also think they stay puffy for a little longer. We whisk it all up until the foam forms peaks and Bob’s yer uncle – done!
I haven’t made a huge batch of this yet, I don’t have a big enough container! So for now we just use our dinky little washing up bowl and I through this green spotty plastic table cloth {again from the 99p shop!) down in the living room and have a towel on hand!
This is so quick and Luke adores it. He’s so poorly at the moment and trying to keep his mind off it has been a real mission this week, so this sensory foam has been a life saver. I’m so glad I tried it out just before Luke got poorly, otherwise I would never have known the effect it has on him!
Lukeosaurus And Me
Rachael is a 31 year old mum to 10 year old Luke and 5 year old Oscar. She lives in England and writes about family life, crafts, recipes, parenting wins(and fails), as well as travel, days out, fashion and living the frugal lifestyle.
8 Comments
Mrs H
This is a genius idea and so simple. Little Miss H adores messy and sensory play so I know that she would love this. I just need to go out and buy some corn flour. It is definitely going to be something that I will do next week. Thanks for sharing this brilliant toddler activity. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
Rachael Robinson
You’re very welcome! Luke loves it and it’s messy but not *too* messy. It’s safe to do indoors (just as well because he is very poorly at the moment), without worrying that there are going to be messy hand prints left all over the furniture! I don’t think cornflour is essential, I have made it without and it works fine, I just feel the cornflour makes it beautifully silky smooth! xxx
mamavsteacher
Oh my goodness! That looks like great fun! #ToddlerApprovedTuesday
Rachael Robinson
It really is! 😀 It’s Lukes favourite thing at the moment. xx
3 Princesses and 1 Dude
This looks so much fun! We will definitly be trying this some time.
Thank you so much for joining us for #ToddlerApprovedTuesday hope to see you again X
Rachael Robinson
Thank you, lovely. 🙂 You can count on it that’ll i’ll be back! 🙂 x
Leandra Bramham
This was one of T’s favourite things when he was smaller, I used to put him in the bath with a bowl though 😉
Thanks for linking #toddlerapprovedtuesday x
Rachael Robinson
Yeah, that sounds like a better idea! I have put him in the bath with cloud dough before and basically just showered him and the surrounding tiles and bath down afterwards. So messy! x