Everything you need to get started with one of the easiest and most versatile sensory play activities.
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Coloured rice is one of the simplest sensory play materials to make at home. It's inexpensive and quick to prepare, plus it can be used time and time again for simple invitations to play. Whether your child enjoys scooping, sorting, imaginary play or early maths, coloured rice can easily be adapted to suit different ages and interests.

Add rice to a zip lock bag and add food colouring.

Add a squirt of hand sanitiser. Seal bag and shake / mix contents until combined.

Tip out onto baking paper and leave to dry.

Provide scoops and cups or bowls for filling and pouring.

Add diggers and trucks.

Hide magnetic or wooden letters for children to find and match.

Set up an ice cream shop with borwls and cones and different coloured rice in boxes.

Hide pom poms and place matching coloured bowls around the tray.
Months if stored dry.
Only with close supervision. Not suitable for mouthing.
No
In an airtight container.
No.
Start with a small tray. Children often stay engaged for longer when the play space isn't overwhelming.
Introduce just one or two tools at first. A scoop and a bowl are often enough. Extra accessories can be added later.
Store rice by colour. Keep colours separate until it's mixed in play. Then have one big bag of rainbow rice.







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Please be mindful of age appropriateness of activities suggested. The activities assume your toddler no longer puts things in their mouths and all activities should be closely supervised. We accept no liability for activities suggested here that you perform.
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