If you are looking for an easy and fun way to bond with your children, then I have something for you today. Nothing can be easier, safer and more exciting than fall colored rice sensory bins. You could even make this scented by adding fall spices to the rice! This project is so safe that you don’t even have to use scissors. So pair up with your kids and follow this quick guide to make the sensory bins in the most entertaining manner.
Collect these materials:
The creation of scented fall colored rice sensory bins does not require any fancy materials. You just need these simple fundamental things which can be easily picked from your kitchen, storage rooms, and gardens.
1. White rice
2. Gel or liquid food coloring
3. Hand sanitizer
4. Mason jar or storage bag
5. Ground fall spices
6. Pine cones, chestnuts, cinnamon sticks, kernels
The Process
The entire process of sensory bin creation is divided into the following three steps.
1. Dying the rice
2. Shaking the mixture well
3. Storing the colored rice
Now since you have an idea of the basic steps involved in creating cinnamon scented fall colored rice sensory bins, let me give you some details.
1. Coloring the rice can be done through either gel food coloring or the liquid based food coloring. In both the cases, we will be adding a mixing medium like hand sanitizer to the coloring in order to dilute it.
Tip: If you are using a gel based food coloring, I recommend sticking a chopstick in the middle of the Mason jar to mix the gel food coloring and hand sanitizer before putting the rice in. This will ensure uniform blending of the materials.
2. Shaking the mixture in the jar is a crucial step of the process. The more you shake, the better will be the color coating on the rice. However, the time for shaking will depend on the number of colors you have taken.
Tip: In case you are planning to color the rice with multiple colors, start with the lighter shades first. This way you will not have to wash the jar again and again.
3. Do not rush while storing the colored rice. First ensure that it is dry. Then add all the other fall things like pine cones, chestnuts etc. to it and store it in the sensory bins.
Tip: You can even create pumpkin scented fall colored rice sensory bins with spices such as ginger, cloves, nutmeg etc.
Procedure
1. Add a glob of food color and a few drops of the binder in the Mason jar
2. Fill the jar with rice about ¾ full.
3. Shake the jar until the material is completely mixed
4. Put the colored rice in a tub to let dry
5. Repeat step 1-4 to make other colors of rice
6. Once all your rice is dyed and dried, sprinkle on a tablespoon of cinnamon powder into the tub and mix it all together.
7. Add fall items like cinnamon sticks, pine codes, corn kernels, etc. If you want to make a non-themed sensory bin, go through your craft kits for leftovers to put in your bin. We found a sieve and some pompoms leftover from our Kiwi Crate craft kits that we threw into the bin.
6. Mix well and have fun!
About the Author – Amy Lee is a Vancouver based mommy blogger. Her blog The Connection We Share is a favourite among parents who seek different fun ways of bonding with their kids. She enjoys making kale chips, eating chocolates, and drinking tea – but above all, she loves spending time with her daughter, Elle. She also likes using blurb discount coupons to save money when creating heirloom family photo books. You can find Amy on Facebook and Google+.
Oh wow, this is cool! I know two little boys who would adore this!
This looks like so much fun and so easy to make. My little guy would love it. I’m adding this to our list of activities for the week.
Have fun creating one with your family!
That’s a cute idea. I bet my girls would love helping find the outdoor items too. It’d make a fun fall scavenger hunt.
Two fun activities in one! A Scavenger hunt then the sensory bin, great idea!
How cool is this! My girls would love this!
That’s so pretty and the kids were great at helping out.
What a fun fall activity for little ones.
This is great. I will have to share it with the preschool.
My daughter has a similar sensory bin. I always wondered how to make one.
Cute idea!
I LOVE sensory bins and I LOVE fall! My little guy is having a blast with the insane amount of acorns this year – what a wonderful idea! Pinning now…
Thanks for the pin Lauren!
I never would have thought of something like this! Thanks for sharing.
I love rice sensory bins. They calm me! This one is so pretty, what great ideas.
I love this idea! I feel like there’s simplicity but so much room for creativity, and what a gorgeous result you have!
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