shaving cream

Of all of the sensory activities I have done with Johnny, I think today's was my favorite: a shaving cream pool! We ran to the store (which he fought against, claiming I was taking him away from his fun) and bought 10 of the $1 cans of shaving cream. After stripping the kid down and slathering him with sunscreen, I replaced his hat and we began to empty the cans into the kiddie pool. We squirted some food coloring in on top of the pile and I asked Johnny to get in. Despite the fun he was having filling the pool, Johnny had no interest in getting the shaving cream all over him. I jumped in myself and began to drag my feet around the bottom, mixing up some of the colors.

Colors!

Johnny got in with me and began cautiously sliding around. The neighbors came over to check it out, and after hosing my legs off, I picked up the younger kiddo and dropped him in next to Johnny. All three kids were extremely unsure of the texture, and it took a good 15 minutes to get them going. Once they did, WOW! It was impossible to get them out! 

We let them play for a good hour and a half or so, complete with a sprinkler set back a bit from the pool, and enjoyed watching the mess. There was foam all over the yard! Giggles and constant excitement -- mixing the colors and then rinsing everything off... getting covered all over again! 

I really couldn't have asked for a cooler afternoon. It was good to see Johnny enjoy himself so much, and I think we will have to do this at least once a summer from here on out. Next time maybe I'll put on a suit and roll around in it as well?!

Disclaimer: Bees seem drawn to shaving cream. If you're going to do this, it is good to know ahead of time. None of the kids got stung, but I was honestly a bit impressed that we finally got the bees to go away! (We even moved where the pool was right near the beginning and they just followed us!)