In the midst of last year's winter lockdown, with 4 children to entertain and wild weather battering the windows, we found ourselves scouring the internet for some crafts we could do with only the resources we had in the house.
Step forward rainbow rice! Not only is this such an easy and satisfying craft to do but the end product has been loved so much by our kids, and held up to play so well that, a full year later we still have the majority of it (that didn't end up on the floor) left in glass jars on the kitchen shelves.
Over the past 12 months not only has it been used for fun tactile sensory play but also:
- a fairy landscape
- a bran tub
- quarry landscape for diggers and trucks
- a fun resource for leaning about weights and measures
- making pictures and collages
And one of the best bits...it costs pence to make!
Gather together -
* a bag of white rice
* ready mixed poster paint in a selection of colours
* ziploc bags or plastic bowls
* baking trays, or large shallow dishes
*baking parchment or foil
1. Line some baking trays with baking parchment or foil and pop to one side.
2. Tip a few tablespoons of rice into a ziploc bag and squirt in a good dollop of poster paint (you may have to have a play around with quantities for this).
3. Seal the bag and using your fingers mash the paint and rice together so all the rice is evenly covered (my kids LOVED doing this bit). If using bowls simply stir the paint and rice together with a spoon.
4. Tip the paint covered rice onto one of the lined baking trays. Spread it out and allow it to dry completely (ours took around 4 hours).
5. Simply repeat the process for as many colours and you fancy and once it's all dry enjoy the fun!!
I was absolutely staggered at how much play we got and are still getting from this!! Stored in an airtight container it will last for a long time (we are 12 months and counting!
Happy Playtime!
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