OCEAN sensory bin…shaving cream and shells

I have always loved playing with shaving cream. It is smooth and silky. It is easy to clean up (because it is soap; anything it touches is getting a spring cleaning!). It keeps the kids engaged for a long time. What more could you ask for?

I usually let the kids spread the shaving cream all over the table. This time, I tried something new, and I think it might be an even better way to use shaving cream!

Side note: while this activity is about getting clean with messy play, I do find mud activities to be just as amazing!

what you need:  shaving cream ~ plastic bin ~ shells ~ food coloring ~ water table (optional)

You can also add a free printable seashell activity placemat, ocean water bead sensory bin, ocean themed games for kids, seashell identification worksheets, or ocean jokes to the experience.

I filled the bin, layering shells as I went.

I squeezed a little blue food coloring in the middle as a bit of a surprise.  I wish I would have put a lot more.  This amount barely changed the color of the shaving cream once it was mixed in.

There was a lot of squishing, searching, and giggling.

M and M moved over to do a little fence painting.

Once the kids were done (shaving cream starts to get itchy after a while), I decided to fill the water table.  I only intended for them to rinse themselves off, but what happened was so much more.  

They went back and forth, adding shaving cream to the water.  They poured, mixed, and talked.  It was a fantastic extra learning experience.

Tips (to maximize learning):

1.  Be ready for cleanup when you start.  Have water and a towel nearby; it will make it so much easier to settle into the activity and enjoy it with your kids.
2. This could easily be done indoors.  
3. One shaving cream can fill half of the container I used.  Next time, I will try two or maybe three cans.

Questions (to ask your kids):  

• “How does the shaving cream feel?”  
• “Find two shells; what is the same about the shells?  What is different about the shells?”  
• “What will happen if…..”

For even more ocean fun, try these .

What is your favorite way to use shaving cream?