Dying pasta for crafting is one of the most simple and effective crafts you can do. Bright beautiful rainbow pasta, perfect for play time, is actually super simple to do and takes just a few ingredients and supplies.
Great for sensory play, colorful pasta is a site to beyond and kids from all ages (even teens!) will be inspired to make and create. Plus, with so many plentiful pasta shapes and sizes, the PASTA-BILITIES are endless!
What type of pasta works best for sensory play?
Dying pasta is so much fun and having a variety of pasta shells that represent many shapes can make the full play time that much more fun! Also consider the reasons of play time. For example, if you are making necklaces, you may want to use shells with holes already in the middle like macaroni and rigatoni. If you are gluing the noodles, try something pretty like shells or bow ties.
- Farfalle
- Medium shells
- Penne Rigate
- Rotini
Colorful Pasta Grocery List
- 1lb box of 4 different kinds of pasta
- 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- food coloring
- baggies
How to Dye Pasta for Play & Crafts
Dying pasta for play and crafts is fairly simple but its not the same as dying pasta noodles to eat. Please do not mix up the two! This tutorial is learning how to dye for play time, sensory play, gluing pasta, using in crafts and otherwise simple fun!
- Divide a little bit of each pasta type equally into 5 separate resealable bags.
- Add 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol and 10-15 drops of food color to a bag.
- Seal the bag and knead gently to evenly distribute color on all of the undyed pasta.
- Let bag sit for about 5 minutes for color saturation.
- Repeat the dying process in each bag with remaining colors.
Dry pasta on a baking sheet (adding a bit of wax or parchment paper makes for easier clean up) for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.
To use your colorful pasta, simply mix together all the bags and play!
Play time Pasta Questions
Sensory Play Ideas
Nothing we love more than creativity, so if you are looking for awesome amazing fun, try one of these ideas.
- Sidewalk Chalk Paint – You wont believe how easy it is to whip up sidewalk chalk paint that rinses off with the hose when you are done.
- DIY Spin Art – Kids of all ages will love adding acrylic paints to canvas and tossing it across the yard for a super fun art experience.
- How to make Salt Dough – once you learn how to make salt dough its fairly easy to create holiday ornaments
Dying Pasta for Crafts
Equipment
- 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- food coloring
Materials
- 1 lb box of 4 different kinds of pasta
- SUGGESTED: farfalle medium shells, penne rigate, rotini, macaroni
Instructions
- Divide pasta equally into 5 separate resealable bags.
- Add 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol and 10-15 drops of color to a bag.
- Seal and knead gently to evenly distribute color Let set for 2 minutes.
- Repeat with remaining colors.
- Dry pasta on a baking sheet for 2 hours, or overnight.
- To use, mix together and play!
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