Using pasta for preschool arts, crafts, and sensory tables can enhance creative play and increase fine motor skills. Making noodle necklaces, designing pasta collages, and exploring the different shapes and colors make for a super fun time that every toddler is sure to enjoy! Creating a rainbow of colorful pasta is quick and easy. Multi-colored noodles will have early learners playing and experimenting in no time. Here are a few simple recipes to get started dyeing pasta.
How to Dye Pasta for Crafts for Kids
NON-EDIBLE RAINBOW PASTA
- 2 cups dried pasta
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
- 10 drops food coloring (maybe more, maybe less depending on your personal preference )
- Large Ziploc bags or food storage containers
- Newspaper
Mix rubbing alcohol and food coloring of choice in a baggie or container. Add pasta. Shake the closed container or bag until the pasta is evenly coated. Let it sit until the pasta is the desired color. Drain pasta and let it dry flat on doubled-up sheets of newspaper. Drying time varies.
EDIBLE RAINBOW PASTA #1
- 2 cups dried pasta
- 2 teaspoons of vinegar (if needed, adding more vinegar in small amounts will help to evenly distribute color)
- 10 drops food coloring (maybe more, maybe less)
- Large Ziploc bags or food storage containers
- Baking rack or newspaper
Add pasta, vinegar, and food coloring together in a Ziploc bag or container. Mix it around to evenly coat the noodles. Let it sit until desired color is achieved. Drain pasta. Use the baking rack or newspaper to air dry.
EDIBLE RAINBOW PASTA #2
- 2 cups dried pasta
- 2 teaspoons of vinegar (if needed, adding more vinegar in small amounts will evenly distribute color)
- Packets of Kool-Aid
- Large Ziploc bags or food storage containers
- Baking rack or newspaper
Mix pasta, vinegar, and Kool-Aid powder together in a Ziploc bag or container. Try to evenly coat all the pasta. Let sit until pasta is the preferred color. Drain pasta and let dry flat on baking rack or newspaper.
Helpful hints:
~ The longer the pasta soaks up the coloring (dye or Kool-Aid), the deeper and darker the color will be.
~ To prevent dye from staining skin, rub hands lightly with either shortening (for edible versions) or lotion (for non-edible versions) before beginning.
~ Rainbow rice can also be achieved with these same recipes. Simply replace the pasta will your choice of rice.
~ Wearing aprons or smocks will help keep clothes dye free.
~ Speed up drying time by zapping the pasta in the microwave for 5-10 second spurts. This may alter the colors slightly.
~ Try to mix different dyes together to create fun new colors.
~ Try dyeing cooked pasta instead. Once pasta is prepared, rinse with cold water. Evenly cover noodles with food coloring by shaking them in a Ziploc baggie or container.
Now that the pasta has been dyed, it is time to play. Rainbow noodles in a sensory table can be used to learn and practice counting, define shapes, and create patterns or sequences. Early learners will be able to explore and create their own experiences by collecting handfuls of pasta and building noodle mountains. Older students can craft pasta jewelry or design noodle art on a canvas. With the endless options for colored pasta activities, children will have many hours of learning and exploring fun.
Share with us your favorite recipe and craft idea, using pasta, to teach early learners.