My kids love exploring with their hands so I set up a fun sensory activity for them, tear-free bubble foam.
Who doesn’t love a great sensory play activity?
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This activity is so simple and fun that there really are no limits to how you can play. We mostly just felt the textures, played with mixing colors, and did a little splashing. You can also add toy figures and a toothbrush and pretend to clean them off.
For more ideas on fun activities to do this summer, check out How To Survive Social Distancing With Kids and 70+ Kids Activities You Need At Home Right Now.
What You Need To Make Bubble Foam
This activity is fairly simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Container, Bucket, or Sensory Station
- Corn Starch
- Gentle & Tear-Free Bubble Solution (Liquid Soap, Shampoo, or Body Wash also works but you should opt for tear-free)
- For color: food coloring or watercolors
How To Make Bubble Foam
- Mix 2/3 cups of water and 1/4 cup of corn starch
- Add 1/3 cup of soap and whip on high with any mixer for 2 minutes
- For color add few drops of food coloring
Additional Notes
Bubble Liquid
There are several liquid options you can use for creating the bubble foam.
If you have old baby shampoo or body wash lying around you can finally put them to good use!
For this type of sensory play, it can get a little “messy” and the foam will likely end up on their faces. So make sure you’re using a tear-free formula.
A really great liquid for bubbles and making foam is the Mr. Bubble Bath Gentle & Tear-Free Bubble Solution.
Mixing Tools
To make foam you need a lot of power, so I highly recommend using a hand mixer. I wouldn’t recommend using a whisk.
A stand mixer works very well too but can only make so much at once.
With a hand mixer, you can mix the foam directly in your bin of choice. But with a stand mixer, you’d have to transfer the foam to the bin.
"Sensory" Bins
You can use almost any container as a “sensory bin.” Some of my favorites are clear storage containers because I can use them for multiple purposes. And there are various different sizes too.
Deep baking sheets or serving trays are also good for some smaller sensory activities.
We play with foam outside in our bathing suits but it’s also great for bath play.
If you want to have a bigger experience you can prepare your foam in a water table or sensory table.
Toys and Sensory Tools
Every sensory play activity should be prepared with a few exploratory toys and tools. Popular favorites are toy figures, toothbrushes, funnels, strainers, cups, and sensory tools.
You can always throw in your favorite bath toys or beach toys too.
Adding Color
If you’d like to add color, I recommend mixing with tools and not bare hands if you want to avoid staining on the skin. We used food coloring and my kids had a hint of blue on their hands and nails for a couple days but nothing on their clothes. I’ve read that watercolor is a stainless alternative.
We started with plain foam and then manually mixed in the colors for extra exploration and talked about mixing the colors.
When To Make Bubble Foam
Just like a bubble bath, if it sits for too long the bubbles fade out.
Several people have asked if this is something they can prepare in advance and the answer is no, not really.
The best foam consistency is directly after it is whipped. However, if you are using a hand mixer, you can always whip it up again if it starts to lose its foaminess.
My name is Paula and I’m a mom of two scrumptious cuties. Thanks Mommy Blog became a project for me to help guide other new moms and current moms through any of my own personal experiences and struggles. My hobbies include singing, doing jigsaw puzzles, baking, designing and trying to stay creative.
This seems like a fantastic easy, simple activity to help cure summer boredom!!! Thank you!
Oh this looks so fun! I’m running out of ideas with my 2 year old and will be adding this into the mix! She’ll love making it with different colors!
This looks like a super fun activity for toddlers. My little one is very sensory too and I really think this activity will keep him engaged for a while which is exactly what I was looking for!
This is SO FUN! I love these bubbles so much. They will be perfect when we can go out side again.
I’m just wondering how long it lasts? If I make it tonight can my kids still use it in like a day or two?