How to Make Colored Rice for Sensory Play

I am a little late to the sensory bin world. I mean I have mixed together some everyday items in containers but nothing structured and pre-planned. My girls are 3 and 4. For some reason, I felt like the prepping was too much to do, especially while juggling other responsibilities. But, I was wrong. Now, sensory bins are our go to.

Here is an easy recipe to make your colored rice:

YOU WILL NEED

• 1.5-2 cups of uncooked white or brown rice
• 1 teaspoon of white vinegar
• 5-8 drops of desired food coloring
• A tray
• Quart or gallon Ziplock bag

DIRECTIONS

1. Add the rice to the Ziplock bag.
2. Add your vinegar and desired food coloring.
3. Mix/shake everything around in the bag to until all rice is covered.
4. Add 1-2 more drops of food coloring if needed.
5. Grab a cookie sheet, a tray, or something flat. Line it with paper towels, wax paper, etc.
6. Pour the rice and let it sit to dry. This could take about 30 minutes to an hours depending on the amount of rice. (An alternative is to let the rice stay in the open bag for it to dry overnight.)

Once the rice is dry, it can be stored in a closed container. It lasts for a long period of time.