How To Make A Chickpea Sensory Foam Ocean
Create this easy, taste-safe Chickpea Sensory Foam Ocean Recipe—perfect for babies and toddlers! Light, fluffy, and full of squishy fun, it’s a sensory play experience they’ll love to explore!
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If you’re looking for an easy, taste-safe, ocean-themed sensory activity to keep your little ones entertained, this Chickpea Sensory Foam Ocean is the answer!
This fluffy, colorful foam is made from the liquid you find in a can of chickpeas, which whips up into a cloud-like texture. It’s perfect for squishing, squeezing, and diving into a sea of fun.
It’s similar to bubble foam, but safe if curious little hands happen to pop it in their mouths. It’s the perfect way to bring the ocean to life for your littles this summer!
Why Chickpea Foam is Perfect for Ocean-Themed Sensory Play
Chickpea foam offers all the benefits of sensory play with a fun, beachy twist. It’s taste-safe and non-toxic, perfect for little ones who love putting everything in their mouths.
Made from the liquid in a can of chickpeas (aquafaba), it’s gentle on sensitive skin and safe for curious little ones. Plus, it’s easy to customize. Add blue food coloring for a wavy ocean effect and toss in some sea creatures, shells, or silicone cupcake liners for extra fun.
Chickpea foam also supports fine motor development, as squeezing, scooping, and squishing the foam helps strengthen little hand muscles and improve hand-eye coordination. On top of all that, it encourages focus and calms the senses. The repetitive motion of scooping and squishing can help your child stay engaged and relaxed, while the soft, airy texture is irresistibly soothing!
How to Make Chickpea Sensory Foam Ocean
Ready to make this awesome chickpea sensory foam ocean? Gather a few simple ingredients and whip up this fluffy foam in minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 cans Chickpeas (more if you want a lot of foam)
- 1 tsp Cream of tartar (1/2 tsp per can, optional but helps the foam hold longer)
- Food coloring (optional, to add some fun color!)
- Mixer (this is my favorite hand mixer, but a blender works well too)
- Sensory Bin (or any shallow container for your child to play in)
- Mixing spoons, whisks, bowls, or silicone cupcake liners
- Ocean-Themed Extras: Try plastic sea creatures, seashells, small boats, or even little mermaid figures
Instructions
Step 1: Drain the Chickpea Liquid
Open 2 cans of chickpeas, drain the liquid (aquafaba) into a mixing bowl, and set the chickpeas aside for later use (hello, easy hummus!). This liquid is all you need to create foam!
Step 2: Add Cream of Tartar
Add about 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar to the liquid. This ingredient isn’t absolutely necessary, but it makes the foam fluffier and helps it stay longer. If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute it with a dash of lemon juice or vinegar.
Step 3: Whip It Up!
Grab your mixer and whip the chickpea liquid on high for 4-5 minutes. You’re looking for soft, fluffy peaks that resemble whipped cream or shaving foam.
Step 4: Add Ocean Colors
For a fun ocean theme, add a couple drops of blue food coloring to the foam and mix gently. For multiple shades of blue, divide the foam into separate bowls and color each batch separately.
Step 5: Play!
Pour the chickpea foam into your sensory bin and add in ocean-themed extras. We used plastic sea creatures, shells, and small boats. Let the little ones dive in and explore!
Tips for the Best Chickpea Foam Experience
- Make It Fresh: Chickpea foam is best used right after you make it. It’s like a fluffy cloud but slowly turns back into liquid over time (ours lasted several hours). Whip it up right before you plan to play for the fluffiest experience.
- Minimize the Mess: Sensory play can get a little wild, so if you want to contain the mess, lay down a plastic tablecloth, shower curtain, or take it outside on a nice day.
- Easy Clean-Up: When playtime’s over, simply rinse it all down the drain with warm water. Chickpea foam dissolves easily, making clean-up a breeze.
Creative Play Ideas for Chickpea Foam
Take your Chickpea Sensory Foam Ocean to the next level with these adorable play ideas:
1. Underwater Treasure Hunt
Hide small items like seashells, plastic fish, or mini treasure chests in the foam. Your little one will love diving for hidden treasures!
2. Ocean Bakery
Add silicone cupcake liners, scoops, and sprinkles. Let them “bake” ocean cupcakes or “serve” fluffy foam ice cream.
3. Colorful Foam Layers
Create light blue, dark blue, and white foam layers for a foamy ocean wave effect. Add toy boats or mermaid figurines for extra fun.
You’ll Love This Chickpea Sensory Foam Ocean!
Chickpea sensory foam is a fun and taste-safe sensory play activity that your little ones will love. It’s a perfect way to bring the magic of the ocean to life while encouraging exploration, fine motor development, and imaginative play.
Did you try this Chickpea Sensory Foam Ocean? Let me know in the comments!
