Sensory Bin Rice

Sensory Bins! They are new to me in kindergarten. This was my 8th year teaching kindergarten and I had never used a sensory bin. What was I thinking? The kids love these centers and they aren't as messy as I thought they were going to be...AND it is super easy to make!

Here is what you need to make some simple sensory bin rice. 

Materials Needed:

1 cup white rice

1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol

Food Coloring

Zipper Plastic Bags

Cookie Sheet

Wax Paper

Place rice, rubbing alcohol, and food coloring in the plastic bag. I just do a drop or two of food coloring at a time until I get the desired color. I ran out in my example picture!  Normally I would make the color much brighter.

Increase the white rice and rubbing alcohol as needed. I do about 6 cups/6 teaspoons per bag.

Mix the bag until all of the rice is colored. Pour the rice out on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper to dry.

When the rice is dry you are done! Place it into a sealable container to keep down the mess. I like these Sterilite bins from Amazon (this is an affiliate link) with handles on the sides. They are small enough for students to carry from a center and seal up nicely to avoid spills. I don't have an "open" bin for our sensory bin. They seal up when not in use. 

I have this batch of rice ready to go for our September apple unit . I'm on the hunt for some plastic worms and such to make it extra fun! 

What do you put in your sensory bins? I love the option of rice because #1 it is cheap and #2 it stores nicely. My orange and black from last October is still in good shape!

Interested in the literacy centers? You can see them in my store HERE. 

Want to pin this for later? Here you go!