Learn how to make aquafaba which is a fluffy, fun sensory play material for kids. This is a great taste safe option for babies and toddlers!
Updated May 2025
One of my favorite sensory materials to make for my kids is chickpea foam – also known as aquafaba. Have you heard of this stuff? I originally read about it over @cara_florance and we’ve been testing it ever since!
It feels so satisfying to turn the liquid into an amazingly fluffy AND taste-safe sensory material for babies and toddlers! All you need is a can of chickpeas + cream of tartar and some food coloring (optional).
If you’d like to make separate colors to layer, I’d recommend the drained liquid from one can of chickpeas per color. For our Valentine’s Day foam I whipped up red foam & poured it into our sensory bin and propped it up slightly to keep the foam from spreading out. Then I whipped the next can of liquid and colored it pink, poured it into the big bin and so on.
One thing to note, I find it’s best to whip this up right before you’d like to use it, as the chickpea foam will slowly turn back into a liquid as time goes on.
How to Make Aquafaba
MATERIALS
- 2 cans of chickpeas
- cream of tartar
- food coloring or liquid watercolors (optional)
- Mixer
- Bowls or containers
INSTRUCTIONS
Time needed: 10 minutes
- Combine ingredients
Drain the liquid into a large bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar into the bowl. If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute vinegar or lemon juice.
- Whip liquid
Get out your hand mixer and combine ingredients until soft peaks form (approximately 4 minutes).
- Add food coloring
This step is optional, but if you’d like to color the foam, add a few drops of food coloring or liquid watercolors now and combine.
And that’s it! This is such an easy sensory play material to whip up, I hope you give it a try. I found it especially useful for younger kids (like babies and toddlers) because I had no concern if my kids put it in their mouths.
Here’s the recipe, if you want to print and save it!
Print
How to Make Aquafaba
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 4 minutes
Description
Learn how to make aquafaba, a fluffy, fun sensory play material for kids. It makes a great taste-safe option for babies and toddlers!
Ingredients
- 2 cans of chickpeas
- cream of tartar
- food coloring or liquid watercolors (optional)
Instructions
-
Drain chickpea liquid into a large bowl.
-
Add 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar into the bowl.
-
Whip ingredients with mixer on high until soft peaks form (about 4 minutes).
-
Add food coloring or liquid watercolors to color chickpea foam. Briefly whip the color in to incorporate.
Play Ideas with Aquafaba
I often add baking toys from our play kitchen like cupcake liners & a little whisk, along with sprinkles for a bakery setup. Or make an ice cream station with chocolate / vanilla “ice cream” plus scoops and bowls!
Or try animals, birds, dinosaurs and some plastic Easter eggs. Seasonal setups are especially fun like Valentine’s Day or Christmas with sprinkles, colored foam and any seasonal spin you want to add.
People Also Ask
- Do I need to use cream of tartar? If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute lemon juice or vinegar.
- Do the chickpeas need to be canned or can the liquid from cooked dried chickpeas too? I’ve only used the liquid from canned chickpeas, but I’ve read that it works with both.
- Can I make aquafaba with other beans? I have yet to try this but black beans and white beans are supposed to create a nice foam as well.
- Can you make aquafaba in the blender? No, it won’t form a fluffy, light foam in the same way.
- Does it smell? There is a chickpea smell to the foam, but I’ve come to like it!
- How long does it last? This is a one time use foam, simply wash down the drain when finished!
More Sensory Play Ideas for Kids
- The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Play
- What is Sensory Play & Why It’s Important for Kids
- How to Make Oobleck
- 6 Baby Sensory Play Activities
- Easy Foam Painting for Kids
- Sensory Play for Babies & Toddlers
Want even more Sensory Exploration fun?
Check out our Sensory Creativity Pack!
This 30-page printable eBook is stuffed full of sensory play fun! An ultimate guide to sensory play, complete with our favorite recipes and tips for success!
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