This is the easiest ever method for how to dye pasta for sensory play using just one step! Just like my super-simple dyed rice tutorial, I guarantee you won’t need to use the old way again after trying this! Just takes a few minutes to prepare, an hour or so to dry and then it’s ready to play with over and over again indefinitely!

I keep seeing people share quite laborious methods for dyeing rice and pasta for sensory play and it reminds me that I must share my much easier way to do it! Mostly I try and cut corners in these things because I just don’t have the time and I’m always sure there’s a quicker way to do it. I’m pretty certain that most of you would also prefer all activity prep to be as quick and easy as possible, right?!

How to dye pasta for sensory play

In just one easy step!

Materials needed:

dry pasta (any shape)

regular paint (tempera or acrylic both work fine)

zip loc bags or lots of mixing bowls

paper towels or baking sheets

Method:

Simply tip your chosen pasta shape (uncooked) into a series of zip loc bags or bowls. Squirt        over the desired paint colour and mix thoroughly. Tip out onto paper towels or a baking tray and leave to dry for 1-2 hours. Done!

You can watch the super simple video here!

I promised it was easy and I wasn’t lying! The pasta will be bright, colourful and last indefinitely. The paint does not come off as you play. You do NOT need vinegar or alcohol gel to set these colours (phew, as they smell awful too!)

Now think of countless fun ways to play and learn using your new sensory bin filler material! Yay!

For a first introduction, simply fill a tub with it and let them fill and empty containers using scoops or spoons. Add cardboard tubes so they can start to drop them down and see where they go! Mini muffin tins are a fun addition as are ice cube trays and paper cake cases.

Try using coloured paper cups for natural colour sorting to start happening. Add giant tongs or tweezers to encourage some fine motor skill development as they play too.

Add small animal toys and make a small world play scene!

The possibilities are endless and this dyed pasta can be used in so many ways from sensory play to counting, ordering, sorting and collaging.

I’ve got a whole archive full of SENSORY PLAY IDEAS here to get you started with more inspiration! They’re all simple and achievable I promise!

How about making some DYED CHICK PEAS next?!

And here is how to DYE RICE FOR SENSORY PLAY using the same method!

If you love this method for how to dye pasta for sensory play PLEASE do share it with your friends and colleagues and send them over to visit too!

Thank you 🙂