Rainbow Quinoa Sensory Bin (with Video)
A fun rainbow sensory bin for kids, today’s Rainbow Quinoa Sensory Bin is an affordable sensory bin that can be used over and over again, providing countless hours of play and learning.
Rainbow Sensory Bin
Rainbow sensory bins are always a hit in our house, and our latest addition is today’s rainbow quinoa sensory bin!
You can use this method of dying and assembling the rainbow quinoa to make rainbow rice, rainbow barley, or even rainbow pasta.
Most dyed rainbow sensory bins use rubbing alcohol to help dye the material and most people claim that they can’t smell it afterwards. However, I am really sensitive to the smell and have always been able to smell it when used in sensory bins. I’ve found that distilled water or vinegar works just as well, and I prefer the lack of scent from using water.
You can even add flavor extracts to enhance the smell of your sensory bin. You can stick to one flavor extract, or with a rainbow bin like this one you could use a variety of flavor extracts to distinguish the different colors.
Rainbow sensory bins are a great way to allow kids to familiarize themselves with color while experiencing the wonderful benefits of sensory play, including:
- hand strength and fine motor skills
- scientific concepts like observing, experimenting and noticing changes (ie., how does the appearance of the sensory bin change when the colors are stirred together)
- language building by using descriptive words to describe the sensory bin and their play
- social and emotional development in playing cooperatively with others and feeling confident in their creations
You can start out by exploring the rainbow sensory bin as we show it in the pictures, and then add in different toys or tools to extend your child’s play. (Think kitchen tools to measure, pour, stir, etc.)
You can also re-use your rainbow quinoa to make rainbow sensory bottles or add to writing trays.
More Fun Rainbow Sensory Bins:
- Edible Rainbow Waterbeads
- Edible Rainbow Sensory Bin for Toddlers
- Rainbow Barley Sensory Bin
- Rainbow Quinoa Sensory Bin (with video)
- Rainbow Gelatin Sensory Tub from No Time for Flashcards
- Rainbow Pasta Sensory Bin from Fun a Day
Check out our video to see how to dye quinoa and make your own rainbow quinoa sensory bin – and then don’t forget to scroll down to grab your free printable instructions:
Rainbow Quinoa Sensory Bin Ingredients
- Quinoa
- Distilled Water
- Food Coloring <– this set of food coloring has lasted me forever and I love that it creates highly saturated colors with just a drop
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: you can alternatively use rubbing alcohol or vinegar to dye the quinoa instead of water.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowls
- Mixing Spoons
- 6 Cookie Sheets or Trays
- Large Storage Container
How to Make Rainbow Quinoa
We used 18 cups of quinoa to make our rainbow quinoa bin, so I portioned 3 cups of quinoa into the mixing bowl (divide the amount of quinoa you are using by 6 to determine how much quinoa will be dyed each color).
I used approximately 1 Tablespoon of water per cup of quinoa. Add several drops of the food dye to the water and then stir into the quinoa.
Stir the dyed water well in the quinoa until fully coated, adding more water and dye as needed.
Pour the dyed quinoa out onto a cookie sheet or tray and flatten into an even layer.
Allow to dry overnight.
Once the quinoa is completely dry, pour into bands in the storage container. You may want to use the storage container lid or a cutting board to hold the last band in place as you pour in the next band of color.
You can just let the kids play with their hands or provide kitchen tools for them to stir, scoop and play with their rainbow quinoa sensory bin.
Pin this Easy Rainbow Sensory Bin for your next rainy day sensory play activity:
Grab your free printable instructions for how to make our rainbow quinoa sensory bin:
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.
Rainbow Quinoa Sensory Bin
A step-by-step tutorial for how to make rainbow quinoa for a sensory bin, without rubbing alcohol. This vibrant, silky sensory bin is so much fun to play and learn with!
Materials
- 18 cups Quinoa
- 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Distilled Water
- Food Coloring, as needed
Tools
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowls
- Mixing Spoons
- 6 Cookie Sheets or Trays
- Large Storage Container
Instructions
- We used 18 cups of quinoa to make our rainbow quinoa bin, so I portioned 3 cups of quinoa into the mixing bowl (divide the amount of quinoa you are using by 6 to determine how much quinoa will be dyed each color).
- I used approximately 1 Tablespoon of water per cup of quinoa. Add several drops of the food dye to the water and then stir into the quinoa.
- Stir the dyed water well in the quinoa until fully coated, adding more water and dye as needed.
- Pour the dyed quinoa out onto a cookie sheet or tray and flatten into an even layer.
- Allow to dry overnight.
- Once the quinoa is completely dry, pour into bands in the storage container. You may want to use the storage container lid or a cutting board to hold the last band in place as you pour in the next band of color.
- You can just let the kids play with their hands or provide kitchen tools for them to stir, scoop and play with their rainbow quinoa sensory bin.
Notes
After the kids have explored the plain bin, add in toys or kitchen tools to extend their play.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I hope your kids have as much fun exploring and playing with this rainbow sensory bin as mine did!
For more fun sensory bin ideas, check out our full collection of sensory play ideas here:
