Easy Bath Tub Paint

The bath tub is a great place for children with sensory issues to explore different textures, because if they don't like the feeling of something, they can quickly rinse it off.  We have tried whipped cream on G's high chair tray before, with absolutely no luck at all.  In fact, a tiny dot on his finger made him gag and retch.  We thought the bath tub would be a better setting for him to try this type of texture out, and it was very successful!

Easy Bath Tub Paint

Skills: Sensory, Fine Motor, Art, Colors

Materials:  

-shaving cream

-food coloring

-paintbrushes

-cups

Directions:

1.  Fill a cup with a bit of shaving cream.

2.  Put a few drops of food coloring on the shaving cream, and mix with the paint brushes.  

I matched the cup and paintbrush color to the color of the "paint".

Not minding it on his skin!

3.  Allow the child to explore with the "paint"!  Here are some ideas:
     -Paint on the walls of the tub with the paintbrushes and hands and fingers
     -Dip the paintbrushes in water and watch the color spread
     -Use it as body paints
     -Explore color mixing

Trying color mixing!

(After we mixed his two containers together) We figured out that the cup floats perfectly in a plastic dish, so I didn't have to hold it for him.  

He had so much fun!

Near the end, we dumped the "paint" in the tub and watched it float around.

It seems this activity was completely effective in getting G to touch a texture like shaving cream.  He had fun with it, and with his last bath, he even allowed it on his skin!  What bath time activities are your child's favorite?