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Friends Art Lab / Blog / Shaving Cream Block-Building Preschool STEM Activity

Shaving Cream Block-Building Preschool STEM Activity

Author: Kristian Klebofski    Published: 07/20/2024     Updated: 05/27/2025

Shaving cream block-building is a fun and messy engineering activity that your little builders will LOVE. Use simple supplies and get started in minutes.

A vibrant collection of foam blocks ready for the shaving cream block-building activity, set up outdoors. Two kids in the background prepare the next blocks and shaving cream for building.
Table of Contents:
  1. Building fun with shaving cream and blocks
  2. Why shaving cream block-building is a blast
  3. Materials for shaving cream block-building
  4. How to do shaving cream block building
  5. Rinse and repeat
  6. Shaving cream block-building encouraging STEM skills
  7. Sensory benefits of shaving cream
  8. A shaving cream block-building extravaganza
  9. Frequently Asked Questions

Building fun with shaving cream and blocks

Move over wooden blocks – today we’re using foam blocks and covering them in ooey, gooey shaving cream!

*the crowd goes wild*

Dive into the world of engineering and sensory play with this shaving cream block-building activity.

This project combines the tactile delight of shaving cream with the creativity of foam blocks, making it an instant hit with kids.

Three kids smiling and building with foam blocks and shaving cream in the backyard, enjoying the hands-on STEM activity.

Why shaving cream block-building is a blast

Kids love getting messy, and this activity delivers just that in a safe and controlled way.

The soft, fluffy texture of the shaving cream adds a sensory element that enhances the building experience.

Plus, the process of creating and then rinsing off allows for endless hours of fun and exploration.

Who doesn’t love an activity that can be set up once and enjoyed for the rest of the week?

Looking for more shaving cream fun? These activities are the “cream of the crop!”

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Two photos: (1) a plastic bucket is filled with foam blocks, (2) two Kids squirting shaving cream into a container, preparing for the block-building fun in the backyard.

Materials for shaving cream block-building

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  • Colorful foam building blocks
  • Shaving cream
  • Bowls of water (for rinsing)
A girl carefully applying shaving cream to foam blocks, demonstrating the shaving cream block-building process.

How to do shaving cream block building

Squirt shaving cream into a large, shallow bowl or plastic storage container.

Arrange the colorful foam blocks within easy reach of your child.

Explain that the shaving cream will act as “glue” to stick the blocks together.

Start Building!

Let the kids dip the foam blocks into the shaving cream and start creating towers, bridges, or any structures they can imagine.

Encourage them to explore different designs, learning about balance and stability as they build. It’s a cream-come-true for little engineers!

Rinse the foam blocks thoroughly so they’re ready for the following building session.

Close-up of foam blocks coated in shaving cream, highlighting the sticky, foamy fun of the shaving cream block-building activity.

Rinse and repeat

Kids can rinse off the shaving cream from the blocks in the bowls of water and start building new designs.

By adding a water rinsing station, kids can independently create over and over again!

In the preschool classroom, we leave the materials out for several days in a row (adding fresh shaving cream each day) so that the children can expand on their building from the previous day.

A colorful tower of foam blocks held together with shaving cream, showcasing the fun of shaving cream block-building for kids.

Shaving cream block-building: encouraging STEM skills

Shaving cream block building is not only entertaining but also an excellent way to introduce engineering and STEM concepts.

By using the foam blocks and shaving cream, children engage in problem-solving, critical thinking, and spatial awareness.

Plus, it’s a fantastic way for kids to experiment with building techniques in a hands-on and playful environment.

Often, block play is done inside with wooden blocks, so building outside with foam blocks and shaving cream is truly a delight!

Who knew learning could be so foam-tastic?

A boy smiling while participating in a shaving cream block-building activity, surrounded by colorful foam blocks.

Sensory benefits of shaving cream

In addition to being fun, shaving cream provides an important sensory experience for kids.

The soft, fluffy texture and cool temperature stimulate their sense of touch. Playing with shaving cream can help children develop fine motor skills as they manipulate the foam blocks and shaving cream.

Shaving cream also offers a calming sensory input, making it an excellent activity for kids who benefit from tactile experiences.

I recently discovered that Target carries various seasonal scented shaving creams, and I can’t wait to try them myself!

Kids building various shapes with foam blocks and shaving cream, engaged in a creative STEM activity.

A shaving cream block-building extravaganza

Shaving Cream Block Building is a fantastic way to engage kids in a creative and educational activity.

Try out this fun and messy building project and watch your little ones light up with excitement as they engineer their own unique structures!

Frequently Asked Questions

What age group is this activity suitable for?

The shaving cream block-building activity is ideal for preschoolers aged 3 to 6 (and older kids, too!). Always supervise whenever children are using shaving cream and water.

Is shaving cream safe for children to use?

Yes, using a non-toxic, child-friendly shaving cream is recommended. Always supervise children during the activity to ensure they don’t ingest the shaving cream or get it in their eyes.

How do I clean up after the activity?

Cleanup is easy! Simply rinse the foam blocks with water to remove the shaving cream.

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Kristian

Hi, I’m Kristian!

I have spent over 15 years in the preschool classroom, I have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, and I was a college professor of education for eight years. My passion is sharing creative learning activities for children and I'm so happy you're here.

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