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Home » Recipes » Kid Friendly Recipes

How to Dye Spaghetti (Make Rainbow Spaghetti)

Published: Dec 3, 2021 · Modified: Nov 17, 2023 by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links

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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!

spaghetti that has been dyed green, blue, red, orange, and yellow

Affiliates Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or sign up for a service. There is no extra cost to you.

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.

spaghetti that has been dyed green, blue, red, orange, and yellow children's scissors are in the background

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.

Jump to:
  • ⭐ Why you’ll love this recipe
  • ⭐ Is this taste safe?
  • ⭐ Ingredients and supplies needed
  • ⭐ Fun ideas for sensory bins with rainbow noodles
  • ⭐ How to dye spaghetti into rainbow colors
  • How to Dye Spaghetti (Make Rainbow Spaghetti)

⭐ Why you’ll love this recipe

These spaghetti noodles are totally taste safe. They are just food coloring and spaghetti.

There are so many fun ways to use these noodles. Use them to make dinner fun, for sensory bins, or even use with safety scissors for scissor practice.

This spaghetti is also fun to dye different colors for holidays like orange and black for Halloween or pink for Valentine’s Day.

⭐ 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. My kids ate a bowl of them and thought they were the coolest thing ever.

⭐ Ingredients and supplies needed

ingredients needed to dye spaghetti

For this rainbow pasta, you will need the following ingredients and supplies:

  • Spaghetti: You can also use linguine or other types of pasta too.
  • Food coloring: I used some food coloring from Amazon. I wasn’t able to find a full rainbow set at my local grocery store.
  • Water
  • Colander
  • Large Ziplock bags or bowls: To dye the spaghetti in.
  • Tongs
Food Coloring - Yellow,Blue,Green,Violet 10 Color cake food coloring liquid Variety Kit for Baking, Decorating,Fondant and Cooking, Slime Making Supplies Kit - .25 fl. oz. (6ml) Bottles
Food Coloring – Yellow,Blue,Green,Violet 10 Color cake food coloring liquid Variety Kit for Baking, Decorating,Fondant and Cooking, Slime Making Supplies Kit – .25 fl. oz. (6ml) Bottles
Amazon Prime

⭐ 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!
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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 into rainbow colors

step by step guide on how to dye spaghetti

Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box (image 1). Leave the pasta a little firm. I took mine off about one minute early. This helps the pasta withstand the dying process.

Prepare several bowls (or large Ziplock bags). Fill the bags or bowls with two tablespoons of water and then 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 (image 2). Mix well (image 3).

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!

Other fun sensory activities:

  • Monster Sensory Bin
  • a colored pasta sensory bins with scoops and cookie cutters
    How to Dye Pasta For Sensory Bins
  • rice dyed rainbow colors
    How to Make Colored Rice for Sensory Bins
  • bean sensory bin with toys and scoops
    Bean Sensory Bin

If you tried this Rainbow Spaghetti or any other recipe or activity on my site, please leave a ⭐ rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you!

spaghetti noodles that have been dyed rainbow colors

How to Dye Spaghetti (Make Rainbow Spaghetti)

Audrey
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!
5 from 12 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Chill Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Just for fun
Cuisine Just for fun
Servings 1 batch
Calories 167 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Tongs
  • Colander
  • Large plastic storage bags or dark colored bowls

Ingredients
  

  • ½ box spaghetti (my box was 1 pound and I used about ½ of the box)
  • 10-12 drops food coloring per desired color
  • 2 tablespoons water per desired color

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box. Leave the pasta a little firm. I took mine off about one minute early. This helps the pasta withstand the dying process.
  • Prepare several bowls (or large Ziplock bags). Fill the bags or bowls with two tablespoons of water and then 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

Video

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate only.
 
I recommend wearing play clothes while doing this activity and washing hands after this activity.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 167kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 6gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
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Comments

  1. Greta says

    October 17, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    5 stars
    We had a fun time making it with my kid. Thanks for showing how to make colorful spaghetti.

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    October 17, 2022 at 5:33 am

    5 stars
    My rainbow mad four-year-old would love this! Might need to make it for play time because he’ll just want to play with it instead of eat it 😀

    Reply
  3. nancy says

    October 15, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    5 stars
    i dunno what was better – making this with the kids or how fun it was to actually eat it.

    Reply
  4. Shelby says

    October 15, 2022 at 6:40 pm

    This is genius! My kids (all ages!) absolutely loved these and it made dinner so much more fun!

    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    October 15, 2022 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    this spaghetti dish is the absolute coolest! love the aesthetic!

    Reply
  6. Rosanna says

    October 15, 2022 at 8:27 am

    5 stars
    These are so fun, my nephew will love these!

    Reply
  7. Crystal says

    October 15, 2022 at 8:19 am

    5 stars
    My kids are going to love this! Oh, who am I kidding- me too! Thanks for this!

    Reply
  8. Giangi Townsend says

    October 15, 2022 at 8:10 am

    5 stars
    Super fun for kids! I wish I would had this when my kid was growing up. I can imagine the smile on your children’s faces when you make them this.

    Reply
  9. Danielle says

    December 08, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    Definitely saving this for the future!

    Reply
  10. Nishtha says

    December 07, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    This is so cool! Perfect for little ones to enjoy making and eating

    Reply
    • Two Pink Peonies says

      December 08, 2021 at 12:04 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  11. Rachel says

    December 07, 2021 at 8:00 pm

    This box of colored noodles and scissors..my kids would go to town chopping it up.

    Reply
    • Two Pink Peonies says

      December 08, 2021 at 12:04 pm

      It is so much fun!

      Reply
    • Bethany says

      October 15, 2022 at 8:59 am

      Looks like a great idea! I need to try this. I’m sure cleaning up spaghetti is WAY easier than cleaning up rice that gets everywhere!

      Reply
  12. Forever My Little Moon says

    December 07, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    This is such a fun idea and I bet the kids love it!

    Reply
    • Two Pink Peonies says

      December 08, 2021 at 12:04 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
5 from 12 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Audrey in a red dress holding her young son

Hi, I'm Audrey!

I’m a busy mom who loves to cook, bake, and craft with her kids. Here, you will find tons of recipes like easy weeknight dinners, copycat recipes, cookies, as well as lots of fun craft ideas for kids.

My website has been featured on MSN, Yahoo, Parade, Food Gawker, Love What Matters, Yummly, and more! Read more →

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