HOW TO DYE SPAGHETTI FOR SENSORY PLAY: HANDS-ON HAPPINESS
As parents, we view sensory play much in a much different light than our little ones do. To us, sensory play is a unique and engaging way to teach kids new skills all while supporting their development. But to our children? It opens up a whole new world of unique play possibilities. They’re smelling, tasting, touching, and hearing things they’ve never experienced before!
That’s why discovering new materials feels SO exciting… and, let’s be honest, a little overwhelming, too. We want every sensory play activity to spark that same level of excitement as the one before. But, how do we keep that spark alive when our creativity hits a wall? Enter dyed pasta. This taste-safe material is perfect for kids of all ages, abilities, and developmental stages.
That’s why today, I’m sharing a list of activities you can create using two of my favorite ingredients: cooked spaghetti and food dye. Whether you’re looking to foster fine motor skills or provide a rich tactile experience, sensory play never disappoints.
How To Dye Spaghetti for Sensory Play: Hands-On Happiness
I’ve talked about rainbow spaghetti for sensory play on the blog many times before. From my “How to Make Colored Pasta” post to my “How to Make Colored Noodles” post, it’s no secret that pasta for sensory play is an unmatched ingredient. I don’t just love it because it’s easy to incorporate and create ideas with, though.
Playing with noodles actually supports key areas of growth. Hard to believe, but it’s true! Not to mention, from toddlers and preschoolers to school-aged children, it’s hard to find a kid who would pass up the opportunity to play with slimy, colorful noodles. That’s why below, you can find a list of my favorite play recipes using dyed pasta. Each activity is easy to set up and will spark hours of joy—for you and the kiddos!
How To Dye Spaghetti for Sensory Play
Never made colored spaghetti noodles before? Don’t worry—this easy step-by-step guide is here to help. It’s quick, convenient, and requires just a handful of household items you probably already have lying around the kitchen!
Ingredients:
2 cups water
½ cup cooking oil
3 tbsp salt
One box of spaghetti noodles
1-2 drops of food coloring
Instructions:
Step 1: Fill a medium-sized pot with two cups of water and place it on the stove over high heat to boil.
Step 2: Once the water is boiling, add in your oil, salt, and choice of food coloring. You can even get creative and mix colors! Mix yellow and blue to make “green grass,” or red and yellow to make “sunsets.” Have fun with it and see what you can do!
Step 3: Once your pasta is fully cooked, drain and rinse it with cold water.
Step 4: If you notice your pasta is still warm, you may have to run it under cold water a few times. This just prevents it from being super sticky, saving you time in the long run. Plus, the quicker it cools down, the sooner the kids can play!
Step 5: Drain any excess water again. Once you feel like your pasta is cool enough, place it in a bowl for little ones to play with!
Now that you know how to make dyed spaghetti, it’s time to figure out what to do with it! Let’s explore a list of sensory play ideas using colored noodles that are fun, engaging, and packed with developmental benefits.
Colored Spaghetti Sensory Play Ideas
Spaghetti Pull Jello Activity: I started doing this activity with Nicky when she was a baby, and it’s one we still use time and time again! Just add your colored pasta into a bowl of Jell-O and let your little ones pull out each strand! This is fantastic for hand-eye coordination and problem-solving.
Dyed Pasta Sensory Bin: If you’ve been a part of the Mothercould community for a while now, then you already know just how beneficial sensory bins can be. In this case, you’re just using colored pasta and letting your kids sort through it. You can hide any number of items within the pasta, making this activity versatile and easy to customize.
Spaghetti Garden: It’s never too early to introduce kids to the wonders of the outdoors. To make things a little easier to understand, just use spaghetti “grass”, plastic bugs, fuzzy worms, and waterproof butterflies. While they dig through the spaghetti and pull items out, they can practice their language development skills as they describe how everything feels.
Alphabet Noodles: This activity is perfect if you have a kiddo who’s working on their letters (or numbers.) Just lay the noodles out on a flat surface and ask your child to use them to create their name, letters, words, etc. They won’t even realize that they’re practicing important skills—they’ll be having too much fun!
Cutting Practice Rainbow: When I originally created this play recipe, I used yarn instead of noodles. But, how much more fun would it be to have your child practice their scissors skills with colorful noodles? Not only will they love the texture, but you’re guaranteed to get a few laughs out of the experience, too.
Looking for a new sensory play material? Just dye spaghetti!
Using pasta for sensory play is like a golden ticket to success. It’s colorful, fun to touch, and super easy to play with—kids will never not love it! Not only does pasta add an extra layer of benefits to sensory play, but it also adds an extra layer of fun. And, at the end of the day, that’s all we really want!
For more fun and imaginative independent play, order our new book, Playful by Design—out NOW! It’s a guide to transforming your home into a place of creativity and connection, igniting kids’ imagination, and fostering independence.
Don’t forget to check out the Mothercould blog where you can find endless engaging sensory play activities. Whether you’re looking to achieve a goal or just have a little fun, scroll through the play recipes for tons of options!. And, for more play recipes, in-depth tutorials, and exciting activity packs, download the Mothercould in Your Pocket resource.