Oh, how fabulous!

Hmm. I’m not sure. That’s never happened to us with our dyed rice or pasta. Did you set the colour with vinegar or alcohol? Did it dry completely? Did you use food colouring or icing gels?

Oh, how wonderful to be living on the water, Nicole! I’m so happy to know that our activities are reaching you where you are, and that you’re having fun with them!

Great idea, Denise!

I agree, it would be challenging to have a group that large playing at the bin. What about splitting it into two bins so 3 or 4 children could gather around each bin? I generally like to do our rice bins outside, and even then, I place a large plastic table cloth under the bin so all the loose rice can be tipped back into the bin when they’re done.

Thank you for your reply. It does make sense that they engage more around others their age or similar. She does play longer at play dates. I will try some water play. Thanks again.

She’s still very young to expect her to play for long periods of time with anything – particularly if she’s the only child playing. In a group setting, the young ones are more likely to stay engaged longer than they normally would because they’re interacting and following the older ones, whose attention spans are longer. What about water play, Melissa? A bin filled with some scoops, funnels and containers. A turkey baster, a sponge etc. Even a doll to bathe. Water seems to fascinate my youngest ones the most.

Thanks-Melissa

I wouldn’t have thought to use the microwave for drying it, Angela! Good thinking!

Oh, I hope you do it! It is such a sensational activity!

Yay! So glad you found us, Katrina! I’m thrilled that you’re loving our ideas!

There’s a link right at the top of the post, Emily. That will take you to the directions. It’s all very easy to do, and quite mess free.

Oopsy! Oh well, you’re right. You can always make more. I’m glad you found it so easy to make. One thing that might help if you have a little one who loves to dump what they’re playing with – a blanket or tablecloth (a vinyl one works really well) underneath the play area, and then if there are major spills you can just pour it all back into the container. 🙂

I made rainbow rice earlier in the year with my children but they used it to create shape pictures. They would use the glue first in whatever shape they chose and then decorate it with the rice.

Yay! So glad it was a hit, Jennifer! Too cute that she actually called it “rainbow rice”! What a smarty she is! 🙂

Cheers! Jackie

It was a hit! 🙂 I set-up the four containers of colored rice, some of my daughter’s smaller toys (animals, planes, plastic eggs, shovels), and some small plastic containers, next to a plastic bin big enough to hold everything. Then I let her at it! 🙂 She was so meticulous at first, carefully shoveling a little bit of each color into the bin… then she really let loose and had SUCH fun. She made designs in the rice, filled the plastic eggs to make maracas “all by [her]self,” had fun for about an hour, and got me right in there with her. She even told me how much she liked “rainbow rice” (I hadn’t called it that and thought that rather cool). So, thanks again for the idea! 🙂 I’ll be back — often!!

So glad you’ve found my site, Jennifer! Thanks so much for letting me know that you’re getting lots of inspiration here. I just love hearing that!
When you’re finished with the rice, you can just pour it into a jar and keep it to play with another time. I still have the batch that we made way back in the spring. Have fun playing with yours tomorrow! 🙂