How To Make Rainbow Rice

12:30 AM

How To Make Rainbow Rice




Rainbow rice is a hot sensory bin filler for so many reasons! Not only are the colors bright and engaging, but kids also love the texture and the sound rice makes when it is poured.

In this post, I will explain why rice is a great sensory bin filler choice and how I create my rainbow rice. In the end, there is a free download of the directions as well as a link to the instructional video!

Let's jump right in!

Why use rice in sensory bins?

Rice is small so it helps children to develop fine motor control. For example, scooping it up with their hands and using their fingers to pick up individual rice grains.

When children are using cups, spoons, scoops, etc, they are practicing hand-eye coordination and also learning about capacity and estimation.

Rice doesn't need to be rainbow or colorful, but the color certainly stimulates the visual sense! Plus, I think anything with a little color is more fun!



How To Use Rainbow Rice?







There are so many uses for rainbow rice!
One of the easiest learning activities is to simply give scoops, spoons, and bowls of various sizes and let your kiddo get to work!

My son also likes to grab his tractors and trucks and drive them in the bin of rice. We talk about colors, the look, texture, and sound the rice makes.

You can add in learning tools like magnetic letters, memory cards, task cards, you name it! Almost anything goes!

How To Make Rainbow Rice


Here is what you need:

  • Rice
  • White vinegar
  • Food coloring (liquid drops or gel)
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Dry measuring cup (1 cup size)
  • Spoon
  • Disposable gloves (optional)
  • Freezer bags - don't chance a bag getting a hole!
  • Old towel to cover the counter
  • Paper towels (just in case)

When I make the rice I make EXTRA so I can use it at another time. That way I don't have to go through the process of coloring again next time I want to use it.

Directions:


  1. Gather all materials, cover the table with an old towel.
  2. Measure 8 cups of rice into a gallon Ziplock bag. Put the bag in another Ziplock bag. DOUBLE BAG IT! 
  3. Measure 1/4 of white vinegar.
  4. Put on gloves.
  5. Add food coloring to the vinegar - don't overdo the coloring. You can always add more to the bag as you are mixing the rice if you want the color darker. Mix it well.
  6. Pour vinegar-color mix into the bag of rice.
  7. Seal both bags.
  8. Shake and massage (yes, sounds weird I know!) the rice around in the bag evenly to distribute the coloring. Add more color if you need to directly into the bag.
  9. Leave the bag open to let the rice dry and every once in awhile move the rice around.
That is it!

Free Downloadable Cheat Sheet

You can grab these directions in a one-page download to print or save to your device.
Just click the image below!

You can view the instructional video!


If you would rather watch the video to see the process for making colored rice, you can click the image below!


How To Make Rainbow Rice - In Summary


Rainbow rice is not difficult to make and can make learning activities that much more fun!

See you next month on the 16th!

Amanda






by Amanda from Sparkling in Primary

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