Paint rainbow stripes on a foil-covered baking tray, cover it with shaving cream, and let kids write, swirl and draw with their fingers to reveal the colors underneath. It is pre-writing practice for little ones and sight-word or spelling practice for older kids.
Shaving cream is not taste-safe. Keep it away from mouths and eyes, and supervise closely, especially with kids who still mouth things.
One reader notes the shaving cream label warns 'keep out of reach of children' and says Ohio preschools can't use it. Check your school or center's rules before using it with a group.
Shaving cream can contain fragrances that may irritate sensitive skin. Wash hands well after play.
Let the acrylic paint dry completely before adding shaving cream.
Use fingers or smooth, blunt tools. Sharp tools can make the paint peel off the foil.
Before the kids arrive
Tightly cover a baking tray with aluminium foil.
Paint rainbow stripes across the foil with acrylic paint and let it dry completely. An older child can do this as fine-motor practice.
Steps
Wrap a baking tray tightly in aluminium foil.
Paint rainbow stripes across the foil with acrylic paint.
Let the paint dry completely.
Spread a layer of shaving cream over the whole painted sheet.
Write in the shaving cream with your fingers to make the rainbow colors show through.
Make lines, swirls and letters to reveal more of the colors.
Fill up the tray with rainbow writing.
Swoosh and swish the cream, then smooth it out to start all over again.
Older kids: write sight words or spelling words.
Tips
I usually involve the children in the preparation, since I believe preparation is half the fun. This time I prepared the sheet as a surprise for my 3 year old.from the author
This may be a good chance to have your older child prepare the sheet. Wrapping the foil is great fine motor practice.from the author
True to her age, she wanted to reveal the entire color palette with a big swipe of her fist. That's fine: just smooth out the shaving cream and start all over again.from the author
Try to use smooth or blunt 'writing' materials, since the paint may peel off depending on the brand. If the kids are just using their fingers you should be fine.from the author
A reader plans to use it with her kids for spelling practice.from readers
It's like scratch art, only messier, so kids will love it.from readers
Make it your own
Older kids practice sight words or spelling words.
Use cotton buds or other smooth, blunt tools instead of fingers.
Skip the writing and just enjoy free shaving cream sensory play.
Questions readers asked
Will the paint come off?
The author says the paint may peel off, depending on the brand, if kids use pointed tools. Use smooth or blunt tools; fingers should be fine.
I don't have acrylic paint. What else could I use?
One reader planned to laminate a rainbow piece of scrapbook paper instead. The post doesn't test this.
Is shaving cream OK to use with preschoolers?
The post doesn't address this. One reader notes the label warns 'keep out of reach of children' and says Ohio preschools can't use it. Check your program's rules, keep it away from mouths and eyes, and supervise closely.
The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · November 2013
I tightly covered a baking tray with foil and painted rainbow colors using acrylic paint. This may be a good chance to have your older child prepare the sheet.
Once the paint dried I layered the sheet with shaving cream and asked my 3 year old, "Do you want to write with your fingers?" That's what she did for a long time.
Once she started making those lines, the colors on the foil would show. She would make more beautiful marks, swirls and even an occasional "A" to reveal more of the colors.
Since she was totally in love with the writing medium, she explored a lot more than she normally would. We would fill up the tray with this beautiful rainbow writing.
Obviously we ended up playing with the shaving cream by totally swooshing and swishing it. That's fine: all you have to do is smooth out the shaving cream to start all over again!
This could be a wonderful way to have the older ones practice writing sight words. Try to use smooth or blunt writing materials, since the paint may peel off depending on the brand.
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What readers say
💬 6 comments
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Check shaving cream rules for preschools
A reader notes shaving cream carries a 'keep out of reach of children' warning and says Ohio preschools can't use it. Check your label and local rules.
“in ohio, shaving cream is considered toxic, as there is a warning: keep out of reach of children.”
✨ Readers' twist
No acrylic paint? Laminate rainbow paper
A reader without acrylic paints plans to laminate a rainbow sheet of scrapbook paper and use that under the shaving cream instead.
“I thought about buying a rainbow piece of scrapbook paper, laminating it and using that.”
✨ Readers' twist
Use it for spelling practice
A reader who did shaving cream writing in elementary school loves the rainbow surprise and plans to use it with her kids for spelling practice.
“Love the rainbow surprise behind the shaving cream. Will be doing this with my kiddos for spelling practice.”
Recently tried
Read all 6 comments
Karen Hay · Nov 2013
Umm, in ohio, shaving cream is considered toxic, as there is a warning: keep out of reach of children. Therefore, Ohio preschools should not and connot use it! just an FYI!
Emma @ P is for Preschooler · Nov 2013
This looks so fun! It reminds me of scratch art - only messier, which means kids will love it! :)
Bethany · Nov 2013
This is such a cute idea! I don't have acrylic paints but I do have a laminaor. I thought about buying a rainbow piece of scrapbook paper, laminating it and using that. Thanks for the inspiration!
Your Majesty · Nov 2013
Haha! I might have to try this out! Seems like an interesting experiment. My daughters would love this!
Joni Chism (@RavenofNM) · Nov 2013
This is a lovely new twist on the shaving cream writing that I did in elementary school as a child. Love the rainbow surprise behind the shaving cream. Will be doing this with my kiddos for spelling practice. Thank's for the idea.
Read all 6 comments
Karen Hay · Nov 2013
Umm, in ohio, shaving cream is considered toxic, as there is a warning: keep out of reach of children. Therefore, Ohio preschools should not and connot use it! just an FYI!
Emma @ P is for Preschooler · Nov 2013
This looks so fun! It reminds me of scratch art - only messier, which means kids will love it! :)
Bethany · Nov 2013
This is such a cute idea! I don't have acrylic paints but I do have a laminaor. I thought about buying a rainbow piece of scrapbook paper, laminating it and using that. Thanks for the inspiration!
Your Majesty · Nov 2013
Haha! I might have to try this out! Seems like an interesting experiment. My daughters would love this!
Joni Chism (@RavenofNM) · Nov 2013
This is a lovely new twist on the shaving cream writing that I did in elementary school as a child. Love the rainbow surprise behind the shaving cream. Will be doing this with my kiddos for spelling practice. Thank's for the idea.