^^PP here - you can google soap sensory play and other similar terms to find ideas of ways to play with soap in a controlled and educational manner.

http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/08/rainbow-soap-foam-bubbles-sensory-play.html

http://handsonaswegrow.com/sensory-foam/

http://happyhooligans.ca/ghost-mud-ice-cream/

http://bubbleblowers.com/homemade.html

http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/really-big-bubble-maker/

Hot glue the pump lid. That way at least he can't unscrew it, and he'll have to pump it out... and that will be boring after a few pumps.

But I'd just get bar soap and tell him this is a consequence of him being wasteful.

As others have said, you're the parent and he will use bar soap if you want him to use bar soap.

That said, have you done some soap experiments with him? Gone out in the yard (since it is warming up) and given him a big tub of water and some dawn and some string and all kinds of different ways to play with soap?

I get the sense you want to shut this down instead of get at the root of his curiosity. I'm not saying he should get away with disobeying - hell no. Shut that down, use the bar soap. But he obviously has an interest and curiosity, and if you can help him find another outlet to learn what he's trying to learn about soap and bubbles and water, it might end faster and in a more productive manner.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put the soap where he can't get it.

This only works when I remember. I put it on a high shelf. But he is starting to climb onto the sink so it's not long till he can get to it.

Put the soap in a place that he doesn't see. Also, climbing on sinks will get you a time out in this house. Do not allow him to do it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Use bar soap instead.

He wont use bar soap to wash his hands so we have to use liquid.

Oh now, come on! He is 4. You are the parent. Teach him how to deal with it.

We switched to the foaming soap for this very reason. He still sometimes makes a mess with it, but a few squirts and the sink has bubbles without him dumping out a huge thing of soap. You could also glue the lid on so he can pump it but not unscrew it.

Do an activity with him that satisfies his curiosity, then explain the cost and appropriateness of wasting soap.

Whether it's a knife or mommy's high heel shoes, the children know that I'll let them use it if they ask. I'll supervise. NBD.

The world's a strange place. Why does this liquid bubble, when milk doesn't? Man, water doesn't either, but you need water to make the bubbles? What is that about, Mom?

One of mine did this kind of thing for a few years. Glad it is not unusual. He dumped a six-month supply into the tub once. He also fairly regularly "experimented" with the amount of water he could put in the bottle before it became useless as soap. Here's hoping they grow up to be scientists or engineers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Use bar soap instead.

He wont use bar soap to wash his hands so we have to use liquid.

Tuff, use bar soap until you can behave.

Anonymous wrote:Use bar soap instead.

He wont use bar soap to wash his hands so we have to use liquid.

Anonymous wrote:Put the soap where he can't get it.

This only works when I remember. I put it on a high shelf. But he is starting to climb onto the sink so it's not long till he can get to it.

Use bar soap instead.

remove the soap when you aren't watching

Put the soap where he can't get it.

My 4 yo DS is obsessed with liquid soap and frequently plays with it when we do not monitor closely in the bathroom; for example, during meal prep or while putting toddler down for a nap. He will plug the sink, unscrew the soap dispenser, dump in soap, and add water to see what happens. How can I curb this behavior without locking the bathroom and making it off-limits? This has been going on for 6 months and is getting very expensive. Any advice appreciated!