The Best Summer Art Activity: Shaving Cream Window Painting

Looking for the perfect summer art activity that will keep your toddlers, preschoolers, and even elementary school kiddos entertained for hours? As a mom of three and former educator, I've discovered that shaving cream window painting is the ultimate summer art activity. This simple outdoor sensory activity combines creativity, learning, and surprisingly easy cleanup into one magical experience that kids absolutely love.

This amazing summer art activity is one of our favorites! This fantastic shaving cream and washable paint summer art activity cleans off easily while providing an incredible tactile experience for your learners.

This activity transforms your sliding glass doors or windows into an expansive canvas where children can explore colors, practice fine motor skills, and engage in process art - where the experience matters more than the final result.

When planning a summer art activity (or any art activity if we're keeping it real!), we may worry about mess and cleanup time. Shaving cream window painting solves all these concerns while delivering maximum creative benefits for children.

Sensory Development

Shaving cream window painting provides incredible sensory input for developing minds, which is this outdoor summer art activity is so beneficial. The smooth, cool texture of the cream against the glass creates a unique sensory experience that helps children explore different textures and temperatures. Many kids prefer using their hands over paintbrushes, which enhances their tactile learning during this very hands-on summer art activity.

Fine Motor Skills Enhancement

When children engage in this type of summer art activity, they're naturally developing fine motor skills through finger painting, brush control, and material-mixing. These skills are essential for future writing abilities and overall hand-eye coordination. 

Creative Expression 

This process art activity allows children to express themselves freely without worrying about making mistakes. As a summer art activity, shaving cream window painting particularly encourages creative thinking and artistic exploration in a pressure-free environment where there's no "wrong" way to create.

The Cleanup Advantage

Unlike some messy art activities, this shaving cream window painting summer art activity actually helps clean your windows! The shaving cream acts as a gentle cleanser, making this summer art activity both fun and functional - a rare combo!

Process Over Product Focus

One of my favorite things about this Shaving Cream Painting summer art activity is that it's all about the process, rather than a perfect final product. Children learn that:

• Experimentation is encouraged and valued
• Mistakes can become happy accidents
• Personal expression matters the most
• Creative confidence grows through positive experiences

Parenting Hack: Have your child wear a swimsuit during this summer art activity! 

Setting Up Your Summer Art Activity Space

1. Choose your window or sliding glass door
2. Set up your muffin tin with separate compartments for each color you want to use
3. Squirt a generous amount of shaving cream into each compartment
4. Add 2-3 drops of washable tempera paint to each section
5. Let your child help stir the colors until you achieve the desired shade - this involvement makes this summer art activity more engaging
6. Paint away!! You can start with plain shaving cream across the glass and have your child add paint to the white cream, OR you can give them the muffin tin full of colors.

Children will begin with paintbrushes but may discover that finger painting feels much more satisfying! Don't be surprised if your little one ditches the brush entirely - this hands-on approach is exactly what makes this such an enriching summer art activity for sensory development .

Encourage your child to:

• Try mixing colors directly on the window surface
• Write letters or numbers in the cream
• Draw pictures and create patterns
• Experiment with different tools like combs or spatulas

The Simple Cleanup That Sets This Apart

One of the biggest advantages of this particular summer art activity is the surprisingly simple cleanup! Here's how to clean up efficiently:

1. Give your child a damp paper towel to wipe their hands clean
2. Let them help remove the shaving cream from the window using a sponge or, if you have a garden hose handy, spray it away!
3. Use a squeegee or cloth to wipe away any remaining residue
4. Rinse with clean water if needed for sparkling results

The Cleaning Bonus

This summer art activity actually leaves your windows cleaner than before! The shaving cream acts as a gentle cleanser, removing fingerprints and smudges. No special cleaners required - my favorite kind of activity!

Safety Considerations 

• Always supervise young children during the activity
• Use washable, non-toxic paints exclusively
• Ensure children don't touch their eyes while playing
• Have towels readily available for frequent hand wiping
• Test a small area first if your child has sensitive skin
• Choose fragrance-free shaving cream if anyone has allergies

Shaving cream window painting offers the perfect combination of creativity, learning, and manageable effort that busy parents need in a summer art activity. This versatile activity grows with your child, providing entertainment and hands-on enrichment for children of any age.

Ready to add this amazing summer art activity to your summer rotation? Gather your supplies from my curated Amazon list and prepare for hours of creative fun!

Remember, the best summer art activities happen when you follow your child's lead and embrace the process over perfection. This shaving cream window painting adventure will quickly become a beloved favorite in your collection of go-to summer art activities !

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All recommendations are based on items I personally use and love with my own children.