Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Art · The activity desk
Foamy Color Tracks
Draw winding tracks through colored shaving foam on a tray.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Plain shaving foam, washable paint, a shallow tray, spoon and paper towels
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult spreads a thin layer of foam on a tray and adds a few drops of washable paint.
Adult's role: Check the foam and paint for sensitivities, dispense the materials and supervise throughout.
Let's make it happen
- Use the back of a spoon to draw a road through the foam.
- Add curves and crossings, watching the color travel along the tracks.
- Smooth a patch with the spoon and create a new set of tracks.
Make it simpler: Offer one color and invite the child to make one long track with a spoon.
Clean up: Wipe the tray, discard the foam and wash hands and surfaces with soap and water.
Foam and paint are not food. Keep them away from mouths and eyes; stop if irritation occurs or the child mouths materials.