How to Make Rainbow Rice

Looking for a simple yet mesmerizing material to enhance your child's sensory play? Look no further than rainbow rice! This colorful sensory material engages multiple senses and promotes cognitive development in young children. It also provides endless opportunities for exploration, creativity, and learning. One of my favorite sensory activities is to make a rainbow rice sensory bin. Make it even more fun by pairing it with a fun theme! Making rainbow rice is much easier than you may think. It will last for years, so you can use it over and over!  

There are a few different methods to make rainbow rice. The one I like to use has three ingredients - vinegar, food coloring, and rice. You can also make rainbow rice using paint. I like to use the vinegar method for younger kids that still put things in their mouth occasionally. Here is the recipe that I use:

I usually pick up a few bags of rice from the dollar store. Kids love to help mix the rice together in the gallon bag. I would suggest adding some tape to the closed bag to prevent it from opening while you are mixing.

Once the rice is dry, add it to your bin with cups, scoops, and themed related play items.

Tip: If you’re worried about the mess when your kids are playing, throw a tablecloth or playmat on the floor to catch the rice spills.

If you are short on time to shop for all the supplies to make your sensory bin, be sure to check out our ready to go kits and accessories in our shop. The kits include your sensory base in a resealable pouch and accessories that go along with a fun theme!

Have fun!