How to Dye Pasta For Sensory Bins

Learn how to dye pasta for sensory bins or crafts! Kids will love the fun colors and sensory bins are great for fine motor skills.

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My kids love doing sensory bins. My son asked if I could make a new bin every week and I said of course! So far, we have made a sensory bin with colored rice which was great for scooping and one with dyed spaghetti which we used to practice our cutting skills with safety scissors.

Our next bin is this super fun dyed pasta sensory bin. Please note that this activity is meant for older children who no longer put things in their mouth since the pasta is not cooked and could be a choking hazard.

Supplies needed

For this project, you will need:

• Rubbing alcohol: You can also use vinegar but I found that rubbing alcohol worked better. Vinegar will still dye the pasta but the noodles get a little soft with that method.
• Pasta: I used several types of pasta (about one cup of each). About four cups was enough for one sensory bin (I used an extra large tupperware container). You can use more if you like a lot of filler in your sensory bins.
• Food coloring: I used regular food coloring and not gel.
• Large plastic bags: Such as Ziplock. If you want to use a bowl, make sure you don’t mind if it gets stained or pick one that is a dark color.

You’ll also need wax paper, parchment paper, or aluminum foil to let the pasta dry on.

How to dye pasta for sensory bins or crafts

Printable instructions are further down.

Divide the pasta in however many bags you want to dye (you’ll need one bag per color).

Add about ¼ cup of alcohol to each (you may need to do less if you have lots of bags).

Add the food coloring. Close and then shake well. I recommend starting light with the food dye then adding more if needed.

Let the bags sit for 15 minutes then drain the dye and alcohol from the bags.

Lay the pasta out on a lined tray (line with wax paper, parchment paper, or aluminum foil, whatever you have on hand).

Let dry (I let ours dry overnight). Test the dryness with a paper towel (it should come off clean if the pasta is dry).

Fun ideas for sensory bins

My kids love to use scoops and measuring cups in our bins.

Tips

• I don’t recommend using yellow food coloring. It doesn’t really show up well.
• You can also use vinegar to dye the pasta if you don’t want to use rubbing alcohol.

Does the pasta smell like rubbing alcohol?

Once the pasta is dry the alcohol smell will dissipate.

Will this stain hands?

Once the pasta is dry it will not stain dry hands. You can test the dryness with a paper towel before letting your child play.

Other Sensory Bin Ideas:

• How To Dye Spaghetti
• How to Make Colored Rice for Sensory Bins
• How to Dye Beans for Sensory Bins

Print

5 from 1 vote

How to Dye Pasta for Sensory Bins

Kids will love this colorful pasta! It is great for sensory bins or crafts.

Prep Time15 mins

Drying Time12 hrs

Total Time12 hrs 15 mins

Course: Just for fun

Cuisine: Just for fun

Yield: 1 batch

Author: Audrey

Cost: $5

Equipment

• Large plastic storage bags (such as Ziplock)
• Wax paper, parchment paper, or aluminum foil (to let the pasta dry on)

Materials

• rubbing alcohol you can also substitute vinegar, if desired
• food coloring
• 4 cups pasta divide if doing different colors

Instructions

• Divide the pasta in however many bags you want to dye (you'll need one bag per color).
• Add about ¼ cup of alcohol to each (you may need to do less if you have lots of bags).
• Add the food coloring. Close and then shake well. I recommend starting light with the food dye then adding more if needed.
• Let the bags sit for 15 minutes then drain the dye and alcohol from the bags.
• Lay the pasta out on a lined tray (line with wax paper, parchment paper, or aluminum foil, whatever you have on hand).
• Let dry (I let ours dry overnight). Test the dryness with a paper towel (it should come off clean if the pasta is dry).

Notes

• Let dry (I let ours dry overnight). Test the dryness with a paper towel (it should come off clean if the pasta is dry).
• I don’t recommend using yellow food coloring. It doesn’t really show up well.

 

Pasta sensory bins are meant for older children who no longer put things in their mouths. Uncooked pasta can be a choking hazard and parental supervision is always required.