Shaving Cream + Paint Sensory Play: A Colorful, Squishy Adventure

Looking for a simple, engaging activity that checks all the sensory boxes? This one is always a hit in our house—and bonus, it’s super easy to set up with things you likely already have at home! We had 7 kids who played with this for a solid hour.

All you need is:

• A tote, bin, or tub

• Shaving cream (the foamy kind)

• Washable paint (we like tempera)

• Curious little hands ready to explore

How to Set It Up:

1. Fill your bin with a generous layer of shaving cream.

2. Add drops or swirls of paint on top (any colors you like!).

3. Hand it over to the kids and let them mix, swirl, squish, and explore.

It’s messy. It’s sensory-rich. And it’s full of color-mixing magic. You can even throw in tools like paintbrushes, toy cars, or spatulas to add a whole new layer of fun.

This activity is great for tactile seekers and helps support fine motor development, creativity, and even emotional regulation through play. Plus—it’s easy to hose off or wipe down when you're done!

Don’t forget to snap a few pics of the beautiful mess before it becomes a masterpiece of mixed colors!

Let us know if you try this one—tag us @SensoryMadeSimple or drop a comment below. We love seeing your sensory setups!