There's thousands of play dough recipes online. Like literally thousands. Some with scent, some with vibrant color, some edible, and some with glitter. Regardless of how it is made, it's a staple in our house.
We have some available at all times, which means we make a new bath every couple of weeks, at least. We typically make a simple recipe but sometimes we like to mix it up. This particular day was a mix up day. We needed to think outside of our typical play dough box. We experimented a few different ways to make this Super Silky Shaving Cream Dough and finally found the way we like to make it. It's been our go-to every since!
Homemade Playdough
This dough is so silky smooth. It molds like typical play dough but it will also crumble. Its actually pretty wondrous how it works the way it does. My daughter created structures or played with molds but then would take her plastic knife and cut, chop & dice it into a million pieces.
Another element that we added, different from traditional play dough, was adding water beads. I added them after we had mixed the dough into the right consistency. When the dough would crumble, the water beads would be stand alone. When we would mold the dough, though, the water beads would be incorporated into the clump.
Materials Needed
- 3/4 Can of Shaving Cream
- 2 Cups Corn Starch
- A Few Drops of Water
- Food Coloring
- Plump Water Beads
Making Process
I dumped about 2 cups of corn starch into the bottom of a mixing bowl.
Next we squeezed about 3/4 of a can of shaving cream on top of the corn starch. We used the super cheap style of shaving cream. You know, the kind from the dollar store that is super foamy ( Not The Gel Kind ).
Then add food coloring.
Then I started mixing it. I made the mistake of trying to just whip through it with a whisk. Bad idea. Go slow. I still used the whisk, I just stirred slow.
When it starts getting more combined I switched to a spoon and my hands because it was getting thicker.
It wasn't as pliable as I had hoped, so I added a couple drops of water. This is optional, I just wanted it a little more squishy. And the water worked perfect. Just a tiny bit though, literally a few drops.
Then I added the plump water beads
Playing With Shaving Cream Dough & Water Beads
This shaving cream dough plays very similarly to typical or store bought play dough. You can mold, squish and create with it. Then it crumbles. It reminds me of gak (water and corn starch mixed together) but in a play dough form versus slime.
This dough would be perfect to use play dough tools like these DIY Play Dough Tools for exploring textures.
The water beads added an extra fun, squishy texture that turned out to be a super fun dimension. My daughter liked using her play dough tools to try and get the water beads separated from the dough.
This activity is perfect for independent play or a group sensory bin. However it is used, though, be ready for an afternoon of giggles and smiles!
More Amazing PLAY Recipes
- 2 Ingredient WOW Slime
- Microwave Puffy Paint
- Homemade Edible Sand
- Glitter Bouncing Balls
- Snow Dough
- Edible Fingerpaint for Kids
- Chocolate Playdough Recipe
Deanna Hershberger is a work at home mom, coffee obsessed, a diy addict and a Netflix binger. She spends her days playing and making with her daughter and enjoys quiet nights at home with her husband. She shares all of this on her blog Play Dough & Popsicles.
