Nothing cleans like shaving cream

I worked at an occupational therapy clinic for years and learned quite a few things about the many uses of shaving cream.  Sounds crazy, I know, but those OTs really love their shaving cream!  And they should because it can be quite entertaining when used in play.  Kids love to feel it squish in their fingers and can't resist smothering toys to only reveal them again with a squirt of water.

A shaving cream snow storm is a good idea, so is a shaving cream car wash which I show here.  Don't feel like you can only use it in the bathtub, having some towels and a tray make shaving cream play possible just about anywhere that is cleanable. 

Start by gathering your materials:

• Shaving cream - a half-way full to a full can is best to avoid messy, watery mishaps.  I also buy the sensitive skin brand since it can be irritating to little fingers.
• A squirt bottle - adjust the spray so that it is a wide spray versus a direct one.  A direct, hard spray could kick-up shaving cream into eyes. 
• Brushes - Paint brushes are great, but I love these brushes from Alex.  They look a lot like the brushes at the actual car wash.

Alex Toys Little Hands, 3 Funky Brushes

• Towels - for obvious reasons
• A tray - allows you to play at the kitchen table or on the floor.
• Toys - the sky is the limit.  Cars, animals, superheroes - ask your child to find toys who would like to be washed.  This is a good time to discuss the properties of materials - what can be washed, what can't and why.

As you can see from this child's selection, Buzz Lightyear, a baby and a dinosaur joined a tractor and a bulldozer in the fun.

Some tips for play:

This play scenario is excellent to work on your child's sequencing skills.  Talk about what happens first, second and last at the car wash.  Ask your child how you will get the toys wet, soapy, dry, etc.

 Let your child do the squirting.  The squirt bottle is fantastic for strengthening your child's hand muscles that are necessary for fine motor control.

Try and make the play as symbolic as possible.  Have your child put the toys in line waiting their turn to get washed.  Encourage your child to talk to the toys and tell them what is happening.  He may even want to collect money from the drivers.  This is a great time to introduce some vocabulary like "wet" "dry" "spray" "squirt" "soapy" "dirty" "clean" "steering wheel" "driver's seat" "tires" "hood" "trunk."

Toys waiting in line...

You may want to take on roles so that your child has to wait his turn and watch you or a sibling do a job.  If one job is coveted (I guarantee it will be the person in charge of the shaving cream), help your child take turns.

For children who are hesitant with messy play introduce the shaving cream slowly.  Put a little dab on a brush or on the tray and encourage your child to just use the brush to apply it.  If your child is really sensitive, latex gloves can be used to cover their hands.  Once your child begins to acclimate, put a tiny bit of cream on their finger before encouraging them to dive in.  The best thing to help tactilely sensitive children feel comfortable is to model it for them.  A mom or dad who is hesitant to get messy will most likely have a child that is the same.  So, dive on in!  It's just shaving cream - easy, easy clean-up!

Finally, you may want to take a trip to the real car wash before or after this play.  It will make the experience of playing car wash together much more meaningful for both of you! 

Help your child get in the spirit of giving with salt dough ornaments

Asking your children to make something special for loved ones on the holidays is something I consider necessary.  With so many gifts coming their way, it's always nice for them to reciprocate.  Plus, I think little ones get a big kick out of the "ooo-ing" and "ahh-ing" that inevitably comes tumbling out of the mouths of relatives. 

These salt dough ornaments are something that your child will love to make and to give.  The dough is also great for just using like play-doh, too, if you aren't in the mood to go all the way with this activity.  This recipe comes from PaintCutPaste, one of my favorite go-to blogs for crafty ideas.

Salt Dough

4 cups flout

1 cup iodized salt

1.75 cups warm water

Mix and knead for 10 minutes

Roll out your dough on a floured surface. 

 Use cookie cutters to make shapes.

Use a straw to poke holes for your string.

Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour.

Let them cool on a wire rack for 12-24 hours.

When ready, use a water-based paint like tempera or acrylic to decorate.

I like to use glitter and stickers to make them look even fancier.

There is just something so special about a child's artistic touch, isn't there? 



Sand from the moon puts me over the moon

I have a love/hate relationship with Moon Sand.  For those of you who haven't encountered this strange substance, it feels like sand with some properties of play-doh.  Unlike the real deal, you can mold Moon Sand without adding water.  Although it doesn't quite hold a sturdy shape (it is sand, after all), little ones love to roll it into balls, cut out shapes and use their imagination to make all sorts of creations.  It also doesn't dry out which gives it a one-up over play-doh in my book.

It is for all the above reasons that I love Moon Sand.  I do find myself cursing Moon Sand once play is over.  Bringing sand into your home leads to a mess - on the table, on the floor, in my child's case - in the hair, down the shirt... you get the picture.  But, I have to remind my anal-retentive tendencies that this is "messy" play.  It's okay to get the house messy and the child messy.  It's easy enough to clean-up and the fun your child will have makes it all worth it.  (Remind yourself of this when you find sand in your child's eyebrows.)

The Moon Sand people make a plethora of sets to choose from.  They all come with a plastic sheet to make clean-up easier and, depending on the set, sometimes even an inflatable tray with raised sides to assist with the mess.  The sets are nice because they lend to some symbolic play, but with a free form material like this your children will love letting their creativity show.

Here are some of my favorite sets:

For a budding Bob the Builder -

Moon Sand Demolition Kit

For a future Julia Child -





Moon Sand Bake Shop Playset

For the aspiring Lancelot or Guinevere -



Moon Sand Treasure Kingdom

You can also just buy the Moon Sand and use your own sand toys that are taking a break in storage for the summer. 

Moon Sand Party Pack - 6 Different Colors

Here is a sand toy set that I had at home that makes ice cream cones.  Your little ones will love bringing the beach indoors on a cold winter day!



I, of course, encourage you to get in on the fun and join your child in some messy play.  I, frankly, find some catharsis in playing with sand.

If your child has any tactile defensiveness, this is a wonderful activity to help ease your child into a new tactile experience without the unpredictability of sand from the beach.  There are no surprises with Moon Sand and what better way to support your child in, what is to them a scary tactile experience, by doing it with them? 

Don't be afraid of the mess

As parents, many of us tend to shy away from messy play.  I know I've had many moments of dread with my son when he's asked to get out the play-doh and moon sand or the worst of the worst... when I've heard the question, "Mommy, can we paint a picture?"

But, frankly, we just need to take a deep breath, get out some newspaper and dive in!

Messy play, or what many therapists and teachers out there call "sensory play" is an extremely important thing to explore when it comes to development.  It allows for another modality for your children to discover and find ways to express themselves.  It also isn't uncommon for children to be hesitant with messy play because they don't like to get dirty or the texture of the substance may turn them off.  It is for these children that messy play is most important.  You'll just handle their anxiety and/or aversion with sensitivity - introducing materials slowly, letting them start by just touching it with a spoon or even giving them some rubber gloves to wear while exploring.

So, today's activity is.... making "Goop."  I know.  It sounds disgusting, but don't be scared.  I have found and tried out a ton of recipes, and this is the easiest to clean-up.  All you need is some cornstarch and water.   You can add some food coloring, if you like.

Begin by putting a good amount of cornstarch in a bowl.  Let your child touch the cornstarch on its own - talk about what it feels like and predict how adding water will change how it feels.  Then, slowly add some water little by little.  At the right consistency, the "goop" will be drippy, but not watery.  Your child will be able to pick up a little ball of "goop" and watch it melt before her eyes.   If you don't mind the dye-factor, include your child's choice of color.

                                       

                                       

Encourage your child to become symbolic with the "goop."  In this play, Buzz Lightyear jumped in the pea soup.

Now, I know this looks like it will be a pain to clean up.  It really isn't.  When the mixture dries, it turns to powder that is easily wiped off clothing and swept up.  To get the toys and materials clean, just rinse and wash.  I would suggest not wearing black, only because, like all white powder on black, it doesn't entirely wipe off without a trace - you'll need to wash it out.

Enjoy your "goop!"