I recently pinned a post from a favorite blogger of mine about colored rice play. Of course, I didn't have a good variety of food color bottles. Or any rubbing alcohol, for that matter. But once I get a bee in my bonnet, it's hard to stop me.
So I used what I had, and witch hazel worked just fine!
I did yellow first, and used WAY too much witch hazel. With the green and then the blue, I used much less, and those colors were almost dry by morning.
Also, you may note in the original pin, she mentions the smell. Witch hazel was not all that stinky, so it might have worked out better this way, after all. (Especially since I did this in my room, and had to live with whatever smells I created.)
The kids, of course, wanted to know what on earth I was doing with bowls of vibrant but damp rice. EVERYTHING is a group activity around here, I tell you.
Once the rice was dry, I let Jack loose with just two colors and told him to write his spelling words in it.
That was fun, but it soon became clear we needed to add the yellow, too.
I can't tell you how many times I came into my room and found a picture or a handprint or a message in the rice tray (which sat on my ironing board until the rice went into the box below).
Then I came across a bag of tiny gold safety pins in the sewing room.
Aha! Fine motor skills! Visual discrimination!
And problem solving, little miss magnet user.
Over the course of several weeks, every single kid in the house played with the rice multiple times, just because it was sitting out in the school room.
Brianna even mentioned to me that she'd seen a pin about using a few drops of essential oils in colored rice play. I made the mistake of saying, "Oh, what a neat idea!" Our rice now reeks of lemon-eucalyptus EO. Thanks, Bri.
I'm planning to have the kids glue it to paper in an art project at some point, to really get our "money's worth" out of this rice, but honestly, I think this has been a fabulous pinned it and DID it for our family.
I've been wanting to try this, too. I feel even more excited to just DO IT since you shared. I was thinking of my younger half (I'm doing more sensory activities with the 7 & younger group) but I think all of my children (Mama, too!) might like to get their hands on (in?) this. What size and type of box did you use?
ReplyDeleteOur rice actually comes in a 20# bag from Costco. ;) I think it's long grain white rice. I just used what we had. That seems to be my theme song, lol.
DeleteI was surprised at how much the bigger kids got into it. I'd find them playing with it while watching a movie, or I'd walk by and see that someone had made a new design in it.
Yeah! Glad you guys enjoyed it!! I love how you improvised & still made it work!
ReplyDeleteWitch Hazel was on the supply list for my first home birth (Brianna) and I don't think I've bought rubbing alcohol since. They're pretty similar in properties.
DeleteLove your blog, Karyn. :)
We made blue rice once and it`s still one of my kids favourite sensory activities! Who knew something so simple could make for so much entertainment. Thanks for sharing, Shecki!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny the things you think will hold their attention don't, and the simplest little thing becomes a favorite. I give up trying to understand it, lol.
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