Are you ready to get messy? These shaving cream marbled prints continue to be a big hit in our house. It doesn’t require many art supplies and you get your own original piece of art at the end of the process.
Children get to experience sensory play and get a little messy (what kid doesn’t love some messy play) while creating their very own unique piece of art!
We have made these shaving cream marbled prints countless times and everyone I use it with just loves it!
It’s so easy to achieve a beautiful result that everyone feels success. Plus its fun playing with shaving cream!
Sound good? Great!
Let me run you through the process, it’s very simple I promise.
What you will need to create your shaving cream marbled prints.
A tray that will fit the size of the paper you are using.
A squeegee, spatula or piece of cardboard to scrape the shaving cream off.
Shaving cream (the cream kind not the gel)
A skewer.
Watercolour paints or food colouring in a variety of colours. For my Australian readers, Zart Art has a great range of washable watercolours and they deliver.
Watercolour paper or thick cardstock paper.
How to your shaving cream marbled prints
Step 1:
Gather your supplies including a towel and some water in a bucket for cleaning little one’s hands.
Step 2:
Spray the shaving cream over the tray in a thin layer, let your little one stick their hands in and have some fun.
Step 3:
Invite the child to squeeze the paint-filled pipette over the shaving cream in different spots, changing colours as they please.
Step 4:
Use the skewer to swirl the colours into the shaving cream in various patterns, you can demonstrate this to them.
When I’m demonstrating something new I usually sing it to the tune of here we go round the mulberry bush. So for step 4 I would sing “This is the way we swirl the paint, swirl the paint, this is the way we swirl the paint.” You get the idea. A primary teacher told me about this trick and it really works.
Step 5:
Lay the watercolour paper on top of the shaving cream and gently tap down, leave for a few seconds.
Step 6:
Remove the paper and scrape the shaving cream off with your squeegee or squeegee alternative to reveal your gorgeous pattern.
Step 7:
Leave to dry.
You can make as many different prints as you like by adding more paint to the shaving cream.
When the colours begin to look a little muddy you can try adding another layer of shaving cream on top of the existing shaving cream to start fresh or just remove the old layer by scooping it out first.
Your unique piece of art is complete!
Tips for success
- Make sure not to leave the cardstock in the shaving cream and paint for too long as the paper will get soggy and the marbling won’t be as crisp and clear.
- Don’t forget to get the white shaving cream not the gel, the results won’t be the same.
- If you don’t have liquid watercolours use can use acrylic paint or food colouring works really well.
Playing around with your shaving cream marbled prints
Some ideas:
- Add some leaves and petals to your work with a little clear glue and place in a frame.
- Turn it into a card or create a little book with it.
- Cut the marbled prints into shapes and make a garland.
- Is it Easter time? You can marble some eggs in exactly the same way just use a cloth to wipe off the shaving cream.
So have I convinced you to try these prints with the kiddos? I think we might display the prints for a while and then turn them into little note cards to give with gifts.
If you make them be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you.
To keep this idea for later you can pin the image below.
Check out my other post on how to how to make a DIY cardboard Easel
Don’t forget to sign up for your FREE kid’s watercolour guide, inside the guide you will find 6 simple art prompts with pictures & a list of materials (some you have in your pantry) to help you and your little one explore the wonderful world of watercolours!
