We tend to think of sensory art projects as toddler games, but sometimes, even four-year-olds just need to get messy! Queue this shaving cream paint project, a great suggestion from High Five magazine, that absolutely delighted Travis.

To make our fluffy paint mixture, we first mixed 1/2 cup white glue with 1/2 cup shaving cream (thanks Daddy!) in a bowl.

Stir until combined. Divide the glue into cups (as many different ones as you have colors). Add drops of food coloring, and stir until mixed.

Travis loves to play mixologist like this!

We smeared our puffy paint over two thick pieces of watercolor paper (card stock would work, too). Let dry completely.

Travis loved this step so much he requested extra cups of shaving cream to stir and tint with color. I was happy to oblige!

Later in the afternoon, it was time for some fine motor skills. First, we had to check out how the dried paint felt. Very puffy!

We cut the puffy pictures into pieces.

Travis was proud to cut his paper any which way, and I made a few more exact shapes – circles, squares, triangles etc.

Choose a piece of colored construction paper for a background, and glue down the pieces with clear glue for a creative collage. Older children may want to be very deliberate, and design flowers or other motifs. Travis just loved making piles of clear glue!

Once again, he loved this step so much that when we were done, he asked for extra paper to cut up and glue down. I loved seeing him so busy!