Rainbow Rice
Dye a bag of rice six colors, then scoop, pour and bury things in it.
- Ages
- 2–6 yrs
- Play
- 20–45 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Mess
- some
- Energy
- calm
- Where
- at the table
You’ll need
Things you probably have at home.
- uncooked white riceDon’t have it? Amazon
- food coloringDon’t have it? Amazon
- white vinegarDon’t have it? Amazon
- zip-top bagsDon’t have it? Amazon
Optional
- a bin or trayDon’t have it? Amazon
- cups, spoons and a funnelDon’t have it? Amazon
- small toys to bury
How to play
Before you start: Put a cup of rice in each zip-top bag with a teaspoon of vinegar and a few drops of food coloring.
Before you start: Seal and let your child shake each bag until the color is even, then spread the rice on a baking sheet to dry for about an hour.
Tip the dry rice into a bin, one color in each corner.
Hand over cups and spoons and let them scoop and pour.
Bury a few toys and let them dig for them.
Pour rice through a funnel and watch the colors mix.
Talk about the colors as they mix: red and yellow made orange.
What it helps with
Keep it safe
- Uncooked rice is a choking risk. Stay close with younger children and keep it out of mouths.
Make it different next time
- Keep the colors separate in a muffin tin for sorting.
- Use the dyed rice to fill shaker bottles.
Cleanup: Play on a sheet or tablecloth and tip it back into the bin. Stored dry in a sealed tub, it lasts for months.
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