Create this easy, taste-safe Dino Sensory Bin using our Taste-Safe Chickpea Sensory Foam Recipe! Light, fluffy, and full of squishy fun, it’s a sensory play experience perfect for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers!

How To Make A Dinosaur Chickpea Foam Sensory Bin

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If you’re looking for an easy, taste-safe dinosaur-themed sensory activity to keep your little ones entertained, this Chickpea Sensory Foam Dino Bin is the answer!

This fluffy, colorful foam is made from the liquid you find in a can of chickpeas (a.k.a. aquafaba), which whips up into a cloud-like texture. It’s perfect for squishing, squeezing, and stomping around with tiny dino feet.

Chickpea foam is similar to bubble foam, but safe if curious little hands happen to pop it in their mouths. It’s the perfect way to bring a mini Jurassic world to life!

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Why Chickpea Foam is Perfect for Dino-Themed Sensory Play

Chickpea foam offers all the benefits of sensory play with a prehistoric 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 explorers. Plus, it’s easy to customize. Add green food coloring for a jungle or swampy dino vibe and toss in dinosaur figurines, rocks, or leaves for extra fun.

Chickpea foam also supports fine motor development, as squeezing, scooping, and stomping 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 A Chickpea Foam Dino Sensory Bin

Ready to make this awesome chickpea foam dino sensory bin? Gather a few simple ingredients and whip up this fluffy chickpea foam recipe 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
Dino-Themed Extras: We used dinosaur figures, plasti c trees, rocks, and bone s

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!

Strained liquid from 2 cans of chickpeas

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.

Cream of tar tar added to chickpea liquid

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.

Chickpea liquid and cream of tar tar being whipped with a hand blender

Step 4: Add Dinosaur Colors

Add a 5 to 10 drops of green food coloring to the foam and mix gently. For multiple colors, 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 your dino-themed extras. We used dinosaur figures, plastic trees, and scattered in bones to create a miniature dinosaur world. Let your littles stomp, scoop, and explore their dino dig!

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 Dino Sensory Bin

Take your Chickpea Foam Dino Sensory Bin to the next level with these fun play ideas:

1. Dino Treasure Hunt

Hide small items like mini dinosaur figurines, plastic bones, or “dino eggs” in the foam. Your little one will love digging for dino treasures!

2. Dino Bath Time

Add in dinosaurs and pretend they’re getting a foamy bubble bath in the swamp. Splash and scrub those muddy dinos!

3. Dino Dessert Stand

Add scoops and cupcake liners and let your little one “bake” prehistoric cupcakes or dino desserts in the jungle. Serve them to their dinosaur friends!

You’ll Love This Chickpea Foam Dino Sensory Bin!

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 dinosaurs to life while encouraging exploration, fine motor development, and imaginative play.

Did you try this Chickpea Foam Dino Sensory Bin? Let me know in the comments!