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The kids always seem to enjoy playing with colorful things and it is a huge plus for them if they can do multiple things with their new found fascination. Earlier this week we made some colored pasta for playing with and I must admit it was a lot easier than I first expected it to be.
To make the colored pasta I used the same method as I did with the colored rice we made last month for a sensory activity.
How to make colored pasta
I gathered 5 little sandwich bags and put them in a plastic container to keep them upright. I added a little bit of vinegar as my base and a generous amount of food coloring. My 4 year old was more than happy to help me scoop the pasta into the bags. We added enough pasta to fill the bags half full each.
I then poured more vinegar in so that all the pasta was covered, zipped them closed and shook to make sure we had color everywhere.
After an hour the coloring looked good and I opened the plastic zip bag just a little to pour off the liquids. I then emptied the wet colored pasta out on some wax paper and spread to dry. We had originally added 3 types of pasta, but it seems the one was not a good brand and just turned to mush, so I had to remove it.
My 2 and half year old watched the colored pasta dry almost all afternoon! I had to keep telling him it was wet and that he couldn’t play with it until it dried!
It took about 4 hours to dry which was a lot longer then the rice we had made. The results are beautiful though and we have already done 2 crafts with them!
Suggestions for colored pasta play:
- Pasta Necklace
- Threading on a pipe cleaner
- Colored Pasta Sorting
- Counting
How would you play with you colored pasta?
Gil says
These look great – how do you get such good colour? I have used supermarket food colouring and the pasta doesn’t seem to absorb the colour like yours, it is quite pale and patchy. Any suggestions? Thanks 🙂
Nicolette Roux says
Mine is also supermarket colors. Try adding more coloring and even leaving it a bit longer in the vinegar.
kayla k says
Did you cook the pasta beforehand?
Nicolette Roux says
This is uncooked pasta.
Sasha says
what brand of pasta did you use?
Nicolette Roux says
A no name local brand 😀
Danielle says
This is a great idea! I wonder if you’ve tried the sand art using fruit loops? It’s similar and just as easy…separate the different color fruit loops…put them in little sandwich bags and use a rolling pin to crush them finely to where it looks like sand. Put them in a little container (w/a top of course) to display. It’s fun and my daughter (5 @ that time) loved it!
Danielle
Follow: @DanielleASB
Blog: chatteroutloud.com
Nicolette Roux says
That’s a lovely idea! There are so many things just sitting at home that we could play with! 😉
karen says
WHat a great activity to do! I have to try this with my son, thanks for sharing.
katepickle says
Such bright vibrant colours!!
Marie says
I like how you used different shapes. You must wear your pasta necklace the next time you head into town. Your kids will love that!