We love a good sensory activity in our house. As a teacher, I've been making rainbow rice for years to add sensory input to various activities. With our little one, we've used it in several ways: hiding animals to rescue, finding puzzle pieces, and practicing pouring.
What You'll Need:
- One bag of rice (I used basmati, but any rice works)
- Food colouring
- Vinegar
- A tray or multiple trays
- Baking paper
- Spoon
- Cups or bowls
- Oven or sunlight
- Something to store the rice in
How to Make Colourful Rice:
- Divide the Rice: Put even amounts of rice into cups or bowls (one for each colour you want to create).
- Add Colour: Add a few drops of food colouring and a dash of vinegar to each portion of rice.
- Mix: Stir until all the rice is evenly coloured.
- Spread Out: Place the coloured rice on a baking paper-lined tray, either in rows or on separate trays.
- Dry the Rice: Let the rice dry completely. You can place the trays in the sun for 4 hours or use an oven set on low for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The rice is ready when there is no colour transfer when touched.
- Store: Let the rice sit for a while to ensure it is fully dry. Then, mix the colours or keep them separate in containers.
- Play and Explore: Use the colourful rice in various sensory activities. Let your imagination and your child's curiosity guide you!
