These taste safe colored noodles are so much fun for toddlers and preschoolers. Learn how to dye spaghetti noodles for sensory bins or to make dinner more fun!
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I love doing sensory bins with my two kids. It is engaging for them and they have been asking me to do them again. So far we have done a colored rice sensory bin and a snow dough sensory bin. Both were huge hits.
As a mom of two toddlers, I am all about easy wins. My kids loved just digging around in the noodles with tongs and also practicing their scissor skills with them. We used plastic safety scissors and it worked out great.
These spaghetti noodles are totally taste safe. They are just food coloring and spaghetti. There is a special trick to doing them though without it you may stain your hands.
Is this taste safe?
Yes, as I mentioned before these rainbow spaghetti noodles are taste safe. It is just spaghetti and some food coloring. These can be served just like regular pasta if you want to make a fun dinner for your kids.
Supplies needed
For this rainbow pasta, you will need:
- Spaghetti
- Food coloring
- A colander
- Large Ziplock bags or bowls to dye the spaghetti in
- Tongs
Fun ideas for sensory bins with rainbow noodles
- Use safety scissors to cut the pasta
- Use tongs to move the spaghetti around
- Use a scoop or other sensory bin tools to move the spaghetti around
- Just dig in and have fun!
This rainbow spaghetti can also be dyed red and green for Christmas, pink or red for Valentine’s day or black and orange for Halloween. It is really versatile and fun to make for kids.
If you have other ideas, please share them in the comments below!
How to dye spaghetti (rainbow noodles)
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.
- Prepare several bowls (or large Ziplock bags). Fill the bowls with about 10-12 drops of food coloring. I recommend using dark bowls so the dye doesn’t stain them.
- Once the pasta has finished cooking strain the water from it in the colander.
- Use tongs to mix the pasta in the food coloring. Mix well. Let the pasta sit for about five minutes.
- Next, move the pasta to the colander and run some cold water over. Transfer to your sensory bin or a dark bowl.
- Let the pasta sit in your refrigerator for one hour. If you don’t let the pasta dry completely it may stain your hands.
- Check that the spaghetti is completely dry by patting it with a paper towel. If no color comes off then you are good to go!
How to Dye Spaghetti (Make Rainbow Spaghetti)
Equipment
- Large pot
- Tongs
- Colander
- Large plastic storage bags or dark colored bowls
Materials
- ½ box spaghetti (my box was 1 pound and I used about ½ of the box)
- 10-12 drops food coloring per desired color
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.
- Prepare several bowls (or large Ziplock bags). Fill the bowls with about 10-12 drops of food coloring. I recommend using dark bowls so the dye doesn't stain them.
- Once the pasta has finished cooking strain the water from it in the colander. Use tongs to mix the pasta in the food coloring. Mix well.
- Let the pasta sit for about five minutes.Next, move the pasta to the colander and run some cold water over. Transfer to your sensory bin or a dark bowl.
- Let the pasta sit in your refrigerator for one hour. If you don't let the pasta dry completely it may stain your hands.
- Check that the spaghetti is completely dry by patting it with a paper towel. If no color comes off then you are good to go
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:
- How to make snow dough
- How to dye rice for sensory bins
- Farm animal dot marker sheets
- How to make unbreakable bubbles
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to share it or save it for later with Pinterest!
Forever My Little Moon
This is such a fun idea and I bet the kids love it!
Two Pink Peonies
Thank you so much!
Rachel
This box of colored noodles and scissors..my kids would go to town chopping it up.
Two Pink Peonies
It is so much fun!
Nishtha
This is so cool! Perfect for little ones to enjoy making and eating
Two Pink Peonies
Thank you so much!
Danielle
Definitely saving this for the future!