How to Make Colored Rice – Alcohol or Vinegar

If you’re looking for a fun way to get the kids to use their fine motor skills and have sensory play, this How to Make Colored Rice—Alcohol or Vinegar experiment is a great choice.

If you loved this activity, see more Rainbow Activities for Kids.

We’ve had a long long winter this year so what can you do with your children indoors? We made colored rice for sensory play for my toddler. My older two boys saw how much fun the baby was having so they joined in as well, so it’s been a popular activity.

I saw some other posts on Pinterest that used rubbing alcohol or vinegar, so I figured I would give it a try. I’m so happy that I did.

Learning how to make colored rice was a fun experience from which I learned a lot. It also gave the kids something really cool to play with. Plus, it was such a simple process that I now know how to do it easily again next time, too.

This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.

Fun Rainbow Facts for Kids

Rainbows are such a magical part of nature, right? They’re fun to look at, and they always seem to bring a smile to your face. But did you know that rainbows have some pretty interesting facts behind them? Here are some that you might not know.

• Bubble Rainbow – Next time you’re blowing bubbles, try looking through them in the sunlight, you might catch a mini rainbow on the bubble’s surface.
• Different Times of the Day – You’ve probably seen rainbows after a rainstorm, but did you know that rainbows can also appear in the morning or evening, depending on the angle of the sun? The best time to spot them is usually when the sun is low in the sky.
• Outer Space Rainbows – Did you know that scientists have spotted rainbows on other planets? Hazy atmospheres on planets like Saturn and Venus can create beautiful rainbows just like the ones we see here on Earth.

Recommended Rainbow Books

Books are such a fun way to brighten up any day. They’re colorful, engaging, and perfect for sparking a love of reading in kids. They’re a wonderful way to introduce kids to the beauty of nature, all while spending quality time together flipping through the pages.

The Day Crayons QuitBig Book Of ColoursThe Hidden Rainbow: A Springtime Book For KidsThe Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Rainbow ColorsElmer and the RainbowHow the Crayons Saved the Rainbow (1)

 

What are the benefits of a colored rice sensory bin?

Colored rice is a hit with my kids because it’s fun to touch. The smooth, grainy texture keeps their little hands busy as they scoop, pour, and run their fingers through it. It’s surprisingly calming for them, too. It’s also a simple way to work on those fine motor skills without them even realizing they’re practicing.

What I love about it is how creative it makes them. My kids come up with all sorts of ideas. Sometimes, they sort the rice by color, and other times, they build mini worlds or even use it for little art projects.

The bright colors keep them engaged, and I can tell it helps their imagination in a fun and soothing way. It’s one of those activities that can keep them busy for a while, and I’m all for it.

Recommended Rainbow Activity Kits

Activity kits are such a time-saver, especially for busy days. They come with everything you need, so there’s no hassle with gathering supplies. The kids love the excitement of getting a new kit and jumping right into the project. Try one of them below.

Galt Toys, Rainbow Lab, Science Kits for Kids, Ages 5+, MulticolorPlayMonster Science4you – Chasing Rainbows – 13 Experiments to Explore The World of Colors – Fun, Education Activity for Kids Ages 4+Craftikit ® Animal Foil Art & Rainbow Scratch Art for Kids – 2-in-1 Arts and Crafts Kit for Kids Ages 4-10 – Gifts for Girls, Boys & Toddlers Ages 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10ZMLM Scratch Art for Kids Toy: 60 Rainbow Scratch Paper Art Supplies Kits for Boy Girl Birthday Gift Arts Crafts Classroom Supplies for Kids Party Activities Halloween Christmas Stocking Stuffer GiftCreativity for Kids Rainbow Mosaic Craft Kit: Valentine Craft Kit for Kids, Gifts for Girls and Boys Ages 7-10+, Diamond Painting for KidsCreative Roots Paint Your Own Rainbow Stepping Stone Craft Kits for Kids, Ceramics to Paint, Ages 6+

 

Which should you use to color rice: alcohol or vinegar?

I like the idea of using alcohol so it sanitizes the rice and hopefully makes it last longer. I also like the idea of using vinegar but it’s something I always have on hand and it’s super cheap. I also like that it’s not a chemical. I was also worried about the smell that either of them would leave with the rice so I decided to use both.

I don’t really know if they preferred one over the other but I do know that they played with it all without any type of issues. I would say that this activity was a huge hit in our house.

Coloring Rice Supplies

To make your colored rice, you need a few of the supplies below.

• Rice
• Food Coloring
• Vinegar, Rubbing alcohol, or Hand sanitizer
• Ziploc bags
• Tray

How do you make a colored rice?

Dying rice with rubbing alcohol isn’t hard, and here is how I did it.

I added one tablespoon of vinegar and alcohol, and I also tried hand sanitizer since it contains alcohol, to the Ziploc bag and several drops of my food coloring and mixed it up.

Add one cup of rice to each bag. I made four different colors and used four bags. Once you add the rice, close the bag and mix it all up, moving and squeezing the rice. Once the color was mixed in thoroughly, I lined my baking sheet with aluminum foil and set it out on the counter to dry. It took over an hour to dry.

The vinegar and rubbing alcohol dried the quickest, while the hand sanitizer rice took the longest to dry. After the rice dried, the alcohol smell remained strong and more prevalent than the vinegar. 

If I want to make more, I’d prefer to use vinegar. It’s cheap, and I always have it on hand. My rice doesn’t smell like alcohol or vinegar. I love how easy it was to make, and my little one is having so much fun with it.

The kids literally had so much fun playing with this colored rice that it was all they talked about doing over and over again. I loved it because it kept them creative, active, and using their hands and imagination.

I would do this simple activity again with the kids since it was a huge hit the first time.

You can also check out what other things we do for toddler activities.

More Rainbow Activities

More activities are always a good idea when you’re looking for something fresh to keep the kids entertained. Having a variety helps keep things exciting and engaging. It’s always a great way to encourage creativity and learning without much prep work.

• Rainbow STEM Activities
• Rainbow Slime Recipe
• Rainbow Foam Dough
• Rainy Day Activities for Preschoolers
• Disguise A Turkey Rainbow Craft by Simple Everyday Mom
• Melting Rainbow Preschool Science Experiment by Darcy and Brian

Making colored rice is a fun and simple way to brighten sensory play. Whether you use alcohol or vinegar, it’s a simple activity that encourages creativity and provides endless opportunities for exploration.

Try it out today and watch the kids enjoy the colorful fun.