Halloween Dyed Rice Sensory Bin

As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to create a sensory bin that captures the spirit of the season! Dyeing rice in festive colors and adding fun Halloween-themed items can provide hours of engaging play for your little ghouls and goblins. Adding tools and containers can also make it a great fine motor activity!

Materials Needed

White rice (1 cup per color)
Food coloring or paint (orange, purple, and green)
Vinegar (optional)
Ziplock bags or bowls
Baking sheet or tray (for drying)
Halloween-themed decorations (plastic spiders, mini pumpkins, ghost figures, etc.)
Scoops, cups, and spoons for digging and pouring
Small containers (for sorting or storage)

Steps:

1. Prepare Your Workspace

Set up a clean area to dye your rice. Use newspaper or paper towels to catch any spills, and gather all your materials.

2. Measure the Rice

For each color, measure 1 cup of white rice and place it in a Ziplock bag or bowl.

3. Add the Dye

Add about 2 tablespoons of food coloring or paint in each bag. You might want to add a splash of vinegar for brighter color!

4. Mix It Up

Seal the bags (if using) and shake until the rice is evenly coated. If using bowls, stir thoroughly with a spoon.

5. Dry the Rice

Spread the dyed rice onto baking sheets and let it dry for a few hours or overnight. Make sure it’s completely dry to avoid clumping.

6. Make your Sensory Bin

Mix or have your students mix all of the colors of dry rice together.

7. Add Halloween-Themed Items

Decorations: Include plastic spiders, mini pumpkins, fake ghosts, and bat figures to bring your bin to life.
Scoops and Tools: Provide measuring cups, scoops, and spoons for pouring and digging. Tools like squeezy tweezers and scoopers are great for fine motor practice.
Small Containers: Use small containers for sorting the Halloween items or even for a ghostly “potion-making” activity! Dollar Tree, Target, and Amazon are great places to find small containers. *

Safety: Ensure all materials are safe and appropriate for your child’s age, especially if they are likely to put things in their mouths. This activity is meant for children ages 3+.