This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Powerful Mothering is supported by its audience, thankyou!
Welcome to the first of 12 posts about sensory dough and our experiments to make them “taste safe”!
This months sensory dough is called foam dough. It is traditionally made from shaving cream and cornstarch / corn flour, which causes the resulting dough to be fluffy, silky and crumble / reform easily. Two of my 3 children still love to taste things while playing and as such I do not introduce anything that could be harmful if put into their little mouths.
My mission was to take this simple 2 ingredient play idea and make it safe for the younger ones.
I give you Taste safe foam dough!
How did I do make the foam dough taste safe?
I had a theory that since shaving cream is the main source of the consistency of this dough that I could substitute it for something of similar form. Namely cream or as some call it whipped cream. The consistency of the whipped cream matched exactly what I needed.
I added some to my bowl, yum, then added cornflour (mine is yellow in color and some would say it is cornmeal, according to the description it was cornflour to be used in thickening soups) I kind of liked the yellow color so did not add any coloring.
I also used an electric beater for this experiment as the cream was an instant mix variety where you had to add milk to make it. Although I used water instead. While beating I added cornflour bit by bit until it started sticking in the beaters.
At this time I tested the foam dough and found a satisfactory texture for play!
Next for the foam dough was the kid test!
Oh, they liked the foam dough alright! Not as much as playdough though, but it did well. The texture although not silky smooth was smooth and fluffy. It also crumbed well and reformed into the shapes easily.
Yes, the younger two (18 month old and 3 year old) BOTH did a taste test despite my instructions not to, but that is the point to this entire experiment that I KNEW they would go and taste it. They did it twice and then no more.
I also had a taste of the dough to confirm the taste and can tell you it is very bland with a strong taste of cornflour, very unappetizing for the kids, so despite the first taste tests they shouldn’t go back for 3rds!
I did put the foam dough into the fridge for next day play as it was late on our first test play. I advise this as a make and play with activity. The refrigerated foam dough lost some moisture besides the fact that it was sealed, making it stiff to play with. Fresh is better.
My eldest (4) enjoyed making balls and driving his truck over the foam dough making imprints.
The foam dough also had a nice feel to it and does not stick to little hands! My 18 month old spent much time poking it and the 3 year old carried it off to crumble onto the near by floor. (Luckily the floor is tiled and a quick sweep cleaned up that adventure)
All in all I can happily say this was a successful experiment and with only 2 ingredients that I can keep in the cupboard for use whenever I want, a huge plus!
To recap: this is a toddler taste safe foam dough, made from 2 ingredients namely whipped cream and cornflour! This How to Make Foam Dough is just one of our taste safe experiments, catch up here for more!
Tiffany H. says
What a great idea! We’ll have to give this a try!
Nicolette Roux says
😀 It is so much fun!
Katie @ Happilyevermom says
Great idea to use whipped cream! I really need to keep this recipe around for my son who eats everything 🙂 Thank you!
Rachel @I Heart Crafty Things says
I adore how you made foam dough edible and non-toxic and I’m so excited to follow your posts each month! When my daughter and I completed our Foam Dough activity she asked me if she could eat some and now next time I know I have this “safe” alternative to making it.
Nicolette Roux says
Pleasure! We are trying to make “taste safe” things for all our dough adventures this year! Happy to have you following 😀
Valerie @Glittering Muffins says
Love the ingredient substitutions!
Jennifer Dawn says
Perfect activity for little ones! They look like they are having fun!
Michelle @ Delightful Learning says
I wonder if it could be made with whipped cream and powdered sugar to make it truly edible?! Love that you experimented with an edible dough. And I especially like that you mentioned that it was a make and play activity.
Georgina @ Craftulate says
SO inventive with ingredients! I love that you tried some too!
Still Playing School says
This is great because E kept accidentally calling our shaving cream whipped cream! Great idea!!!
Dayna@ Lemon lime adventures says
I have to try this! I must try edible foam dough. I love how this turned out. Thank you for co-hosting with me! I am excited to follow everyone along!