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Coloured Rice Sensory Play

Everything you need to get started with one of the easiest and most versatile sensory play activities.



What is coloured rice play?

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.


Why children love coloured rice

  • Fine motor skills: scooping and pouring help strengthen little hands.
  • Creativity: children naturally invent stories and small worlds.
  • Language: talking about colours and textures builds early vocabulary.
  • Calm play: many children find repetitive sensory play relaxing.


How to make coloured rice

1

1

1

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

2

1

1

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

3

1

3

Tip out onto baking paper and leave to dry.

Five simple ways to play

Rainbow scooping

Provide scoops and cups or bowls for filling and pouring.

Construction Site

Add diggers and trucks.

Letter Hunt

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

Ice Cream

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

Colour Sort

Hide pom poms and place matching coloured bowls around the tray.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.


Download free rice play printables

Looking for more sensory play ideas?

The Ultimate Sensory Play Collection

The Ultimate Sensory Play Collection

The Ultimate Sensory Play Collection

150 pages


50 activities.

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The Ultimate Sensory Play Collection

The Ultimate Sensory Play Collection

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The Ultimate Sensory Play Collection

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This page may contain affiliate links, and we may earn a commission when you click on a link and purchase a product. This is at no extra cost to you but we appreciate your support as it helps cover our costs and keep this website running. 


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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