The preparation and properties of novel zirconia, alumina and kaolin based tough refractory foam ceramics are reported. Ceramics are obtained by slurry casting method with further sintering at 1600 0C. Porous structure of ceramics as result of reaction between aluminium and water is developed. Influence of different type of raw zirconia materials (primary ittria stabilized zirconia and in situ yttria stabilized zirconia) is evaluated and compared. Depending on the initially added amount of zirconia sintered foam ceramics porosity varied from 39,5 to 59,3 %. Processed tough ceramic foams are thermally resistant up to temperature 1200 0C.