Sensory Bin with Foaming Texture
Creating a Foamy Sensory Bin for Toddler Play
In a recent craft session, a child named F found great enjoyment in a unique activity: a foam sensory bin made from household items. This engaging and colourful play area was created using dish soap, water, food coloring, and a food processor.
The session began with the combination of equal parts water and dish soap in a bowl. A few drops of purple food coloring were added for visual appeal. The mixture was then poured into a food processor and blended briefly, allowing air to be whipped into the mixture, creating a light and fluffy foam similar to whipped cream with stiff peaks.
The processed foam was transferred to a container, where it awaited the child's eager hands. F, who was quite enthusiastic about the activity, carefully explored the foam, poking his finger and eventually his whole hand into it. His cautious yet playful approach suggested that he found the activity enjoyable.
The container included a spoon, whisk, and little dish for the child to use. F happily stirred the foam around with the spoon and whisk for some time, before transferring the foam from the container into a little dish. He then went off to get a cup, spooned the foam into it, and attempted to pour it out.
Both the child and the adult supervising the activity had pinky-purple fingers for the rest of the day due to the transferred food coloring. This is a reminder that the purple food coloring used in the foam mixture easily transfers, so it is recommended to do this activity where it won't stain anything.
This DIY foamy sensory bin offers a fun and safe way for toddlers to engage with tactile and color sensory stimulation. To create one for your own little one, follow these simple steps:
- Mix Ingredients: Combine equal parts of water and dish soap in a bowl. Add a few drops of food coloring for visual appeal.
- Create Foam: Pour the mixture into a food processor and pulse or blend briefly.
- Transfer to Bin: Scoop the foam into a sensory bin or container for the toddler to explore tactilely and visually.
Remember to use mild, non-toxic dish soap and keep the foam play supervised, as soap can irritate eyes and is not for ingestion. If the foam deflates quickly, pulse the food processor again or add a small amount of water and soap to refresh it.
This simple and effective method is similar to using an electric hand mixer to whip bubble foam, providing a fluffy, colourful foam that is perfect for toddler play[3]. The food processor acts similarly in whipping air into the mixture, making the foam texture.
References:
[3] "How to Make Homemade Foam for Toddlers" by Play at Home Mom, 2018. Available online: https://playathomemom.com/homemade-foam-for-toddlers/
[5] "Sensory Play for Toddlers: Why It's Important and How to Get Started" by Verywell Family, 2020. Available online: https://www.verywellfamily.com/sensory-play-for-toddlers-3134766
Incorporating sustainable living practices, one could use these DIY foam sensory bins for toddler play as an opportunity to minimize waste. Instead of single-use food coloring, natural food sources like turmeric or beetroot juice can be used for color. Additionally, home-and-garden projects like this could foster a lifestyle that encourages creativity and exploration, valuable skills for a sustainable future.
