How to Dye Pasta Bright Colors for Sensory Play
Learn how to safely dye pasta so your kids can play with it in lots of sensory activities. This is a non-toxic recipe.
There are so many fun and educational things you can do with dyed pasta. They make the perfect base for sensory play for your kids. When you see brightly-colored pasta in non-edible activities, this is how I made it!
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Dyed Pasta For Sensory Play
When you are trying to think of things to use for sensory play, pasta is one of the best things. It’s cheap – you can usually find it on sale at the grocery store. Plus, it’s the perfect size for little hands to grip and learn how to pinch and maneuver.
All the beautiful colors will captivate their imagination and encourage them to engage in artistic play too. They can match colors, create a rainbow, and create patterns.
This recipe for dyeing pasta for sensory play is the basis for so many activities that you can do later on.
Watch the Video to See the Color Mixing Carrot in Action!
How To Dye Pasta
Making your own dyed pasta doesn’t require any special skills. Visual learners, this one is for you! This really short video shows you exactly how to dye pasta. It’s such a simple tutorial that after you do it once, you’ll be hooked and wonder why it took you so long to go for it! The hardest part? Waiting for it to dry overnight, you’ll want to dig right in!
How To Dye Pasta
Making your own dyed pasta doesn’t require any special skills. Visual learners, this one is for you! This really short video shows you exactly how to dye pasta. It’s such a simple tutorial that after you do it once, you’ll be hooked and wonder why it took you so long to go for it!
The hardest part? Waiting for it to dry overnight, you’ll want to dig right in!
Materials
- White Vinegar
- Liquid Watercolor
- Pasta, we used Penne
- Re-usable container with lid, or plastic bag with zipper
- Baking Sheet
- Wax Paper
- White Vinegar
- Liquid Watercolor
- Pasta, we used Penne
- Re-usable container with lid, or plastic bag with zipper
- Baking Sheet
- Wax Paper
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Split up a 1 pound box of pasta (about 1/2 cup each).
Step 2
In a reusable container add 1 tsp white vinegar and 1 tbsp liquid water color.
Step 3
Repeat for each color.
Step 4
On a baking sheet with wax paper, spread the pasta in a thin layer.
Step 5
After an hour of drying separate any pieces that may have stuck together.
Step 6
Allow to dry for several more hours or overnight.
Step 1
Split up a 1 pound box of pasta (about 1/2 cup each).
Step 2
In a reusable container add 1 tsp white vinegar and 1 tbsp liquid water color.
Step 3
Repeat for each color.
Step 4
On a baking sheet with wax paper, spread the pasta in a thin layer.
Step 5
After an hour of drying separate any pieces that may have stuck together.
Step 6
Allow to dry for several more hours or overnight.
Educational Benefits Of Dyed Pasta
Colorful pasta can be used in lots of sensory-based activities. If you want to let your kids dye the pasta with you, they will learn how to create all sorts of colors.
This is a wonderful art activity too. Let your child try to create different shades of colors by mixing their own dyes.
There are so many different sensory play activities you can do with the pasta after it dries. Make rainbow art with the pasta or make your own DIY jewelry. You can even fill a tub with the colorful pasta and let them have a fun time digging in!
Educational Benefits Of Dyed Pasta
Colorful pasta can be used in lots of sensory-based activities. If you want to let your kids dye the pasta with you, they will learn how to create all sorts of colors.
This is a wonderful art activity too. Let your child try to create different shades of colors by mixing their own dyes.
There are so many different activities you can do with the pasta after it dries. Make rainbow art with the pasta or make your own DIY jewelry. You can even fill a tub with the colorful pasta and let them have a fun time digging in!
More Ways to Explore Sensory Bases
Here are my top picks for other sensory bases that can be used in sensory bins!
This sensory sand is similar to the texture of Kinetic Sand, but it comes in a bulk pack of 11 pounds to fill up a sensory bin nicely! It is eco friendly and non-toxic.
This set of water beads comes in two sizes, including the jumbo size! Water beads are a wonderful sensory experience, and non-toxic. Needs supervision!
This sensory material is a super-soft moldable, stretchable dough that never dries out! A sensory sand and play dough had a baby, this would be it!
This sensory base is super weird, but awesome! It literally comes to life before your eyes – super mesmerizing! It sticks together, but doesn’t stick to your hands!
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