Autumn Dyed Rice Play!
An autumn themed play idea for you to create this week that's sure to lead to plenty of on-going play this month!
This how-to can be found in my Sensory Invitations to Play cards and I am demonstrating how to easily adapt that to make it seasonal!
Instructions
Find:
- dry, economy rice
- ordinary kids' paints in Autumnal colours
- large zip loc bags or large jars/ containers with lids
- autumn loose parts eg pine cones, acorns, leaves
- scoops, bowls, tongs etc
Make:
Tip quantities of rice into each bag or container (to match the number of colours you want to make.) Squeeze some paint into each bag/ container, seal and shake or smoosh into all of the rice is covered and coloured. Tip out onto a tray and leave to dry for 1-2 hours. You could add some cinnamon or nutmeg to add a seasonal scent too!
Play:
Tip the rice into a large container and encourage your child to mix the colours up. Now add natural, seasonal loose parts, scoops and containers for investigating with. Place an Autumn themed story book nearby. Maybe try adding some woodland creatures for some small world imaginative play too.
Your child will be able to do some wonderful imagining and playing in this play space. Worried about mess? Teach that the rice stays in the container or it goes away. If the need for tipping OUT of the bowl seems strong, try adding a second container alongside and do the whole play set up on a drop cloth for easy clear up.
If you haven't taken a look at my Invitations to Play Activity Cards, come and take a look!
There are two themes - sensory and literacy - and both have 52 different fun activities in each for you to do at home :)