Sensory Activity: Multicolored Pasta

Even a handful of dry pasta can be changed into another color! 

We received a bag of elbow macaroni and I knew just what to do with it. CHANGE IT COLORS! This activity is great to do with younger children because the measurements don’t have to be precise and shaking bags of pasta is fun!

Here’s what you need: 

• Pasta (any shape will do!) 

• Vinegar

• Food Dye

• Sandwich bags
  

Here’s how we did it! 

1. If you are making multiple colors, separate your pasta into a bag for each color. 

2. Add 4-5 drops of food dye (fewer drops=lighter colors, more drops=darker colors)

3. Add 1-2 Tablespoon of vinegar to the bag. 

4. Mix the contents by shaking and massaging the bag until all of the pasta is coated. 

5. Open bags and spread pasta in an even layer to dry*

6. Let pasta dry overnight or place a pan in a low temp oven and monitor for dryness. 

7. Dry time depends on many factors including the amount of vinegar used, how thick of a layer of pasta you put on the pan. 

*Helpful Tip: if you accidentally use too much vinegar, you'll notice it pooling in the bag. I like to tip the bag so that all of the liquid is in one corner so that I can cut and drain the bag of excess liquid before layering things out to dry.

Use pasta with cups to practice pouring or use the pasta to create a fun picture! 

Watch a video of us making the multicolored pasta below and let us know what you make!