Looking for a fun activity for the kids, kids? Foam dough! traditionally made from shaving cream and cornstarch or corn flour. The result is a fluffy, silky dough that crumbles and reforms easily. Because two of my three children still enjoy tasting things during playtime, I avoid using ingredients that could be harmful if accidentally ingested. This is such a great dough and you can do so much with it!

My mission was to take this simple 2-ingredient play idea and make it safe for the younger ones.

I give you Taste safe foam dough!

How did I make the foam dough taste safe?

I had a theory that since shaving cream is the main source of the consistency of this dough, I could substitute it for something of similar form. Namely cream or as some call it whipped cream. The consistency of the whipped cream matched exactly what I needed.

I added some to my bowl, yum, then added cornflour (mine is yellow in color and some would say it is cornmeal; according to the description, it was cornflour to be used in thickening soups). I kind of liked the yellow color so did not add any coloring.

I also used an electric beater for this experiment as the cream was an instant mix variety where you had to add milk to make it. Although I used water instead. While beating, I added cornflour bit by bit until it started sticking in the beaters.

At this time I tested the foam dough and found a satisfactory texture for play!

Next for the foam dough was the kid test!

Oh, they liked the foam dough alright! Not as much as playdough though, but it did well. The texture, although not silky smooth was smooth and fluffy. It also crumbled well and reformed into the shapes easily.

Yes, the younger two (18-month-old and 3-year-old) BOTH did a taste test despite my instructions not to, but that is the point to this entire experiment—that I KNEW they would go and taste it. They did it twice and then no more.

I also had a taste of the dough to confirm the taste and can tell you it is very bland with a strong taste of cornflour, very unappetizing for the kids, so despite the first taste tests, they shouldn’t go back for 3rds!

I did put the foam dough into the fridge for next day play as it was late on our first test play.  I advise this as a make-and-play activity. The refrigerated foam dough lost some moisture besides the fact that it was sealed, making it stiff to play with. Fresh is better.

My eldest (4) enjoyed making balls and driving his truck over the foam dough making imprints.

The foam dough also had a nice feel to it and does not stick to little hands! My 18 month old spent much time poking it and the 3-year-old carried it off to crumble onto the nearby floor. (Luckily the floor is tiled and a quick sweep cleaned up that adventure.)

All in all, I can happily say this was a successful experiment and with only 2 ingredients that I can keep in the cupboard for use whenever I want, a huge plus!

To recap: this is a toddler taste-safe foam dough, made from 2 ingredients, namely whipped cream and cornflour! This is How to Make Foam Dough!