How to Color Rice
How to Color Rice: This decorating trick is easy to do and adds a pop of color to your table. You can customize the rice to fit any color scheme. Follow along as I show you how to dye rice. Do you ever struggle with finding creative ways to decorate for a party? Look no further than your pantry and a box of food coloring! One easy and inexpensive way to add a pop color to your party is with colored rice. Yes, you read that right – rice! So, let’s dive in and discover the endless possibilities of colored rice! Also, scroll down for some ideas for easy ways to create sensory bins.
Ingredient Options
- 1 teaspoon of White Vinegar per 1 cup of white rice
- If you don’t like the vinegar smell, replace the vinegar with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice per 1 cup of white rice
DECORATING IDEAS
I have been using dyed rice for years. The pops of color and the unexpected use of the rice seem to not only elevate the party but sets the tone as well. When a guest walks into a party that has been decorated, it tells them this is going to be a fun party. Pour some of the dyed rice into a mason jar, add a votive candle or tea light and you have an instant party decoration!
CREATE A RAINBOW OF COLORS
- Divide into one cup of dry rice per color. NOTE: You can increase the one cup measurement the amount of rice is up to you.
- Add enough rubbing alcohol to coat the rice and a drop at a time of food coloring.
- Rub the food coloring into the rice. Keep adding food coloring until the rice reaches your desired color.
- For best coloured rice I like to use gel food coloring instead of the regular food coloring you find in the grocery store.
- Pour wet rice onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper to dry. To help with the drying process, move the rice around every hour.
- Continue with different colors.
- Store rice in a sealed bag.
- The color will remain for well over a year and can be used over and over again.
- Keep the color separate or combine them the choice is up to you.
- NOTE: It’s going to take bags of rice to fill a large bin so maybe start out small.
How to Store Dyed Rice
There are a couple ways to store your rainbow rice. Airtight container or a large zip top bag are the best choices. What ever way you choose make sure it is airtight. Keep the open air out of the rice will help preserve it longer (at least a year).
The Perfect Tool for a Sensory Bin
GATHERING SENSORY MATERIALS FOR THEMED SENSORY ACTIVITIES
Different types of sensory bins are everywhere. Have fun customizing your bins to your kids needs.
- Uncooked rice, food coloring, plastic bags, and trays.
- Parchment paper, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or lemon juice
- small toys to match the theme. This is a great idea for Holiday themed sensory bins. Example: Easter, small plastic eggs, small bunny toys etc. I love using Oriental Trading for this. They have a great selection at affordable prices.
SENSORY BIN ACTIVITIES-FIND IT GAME
TINK’S LOST THINGS GAME is one of my favorites. The game was included in the Tinker Bell Woodland Kids Birthday Party I created for my granddaughters. The base was sand but can easily be played with colored rice. CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE FUN→FINDING TINK’S THINGS GAME.
OTHER SENSORY IDEAS
How to Color Rice
Add a pop of color to a party table or create a colorful sensory bin.
Ingredients
- white long grain rice
- rubbing alcohol
- zip top bag
- food coloring (I like to use gel food coloring for an intense color)
Instructions
- Pour rice into a zip top bag.
- Add enough rubbing alcohol to coat the rice.
- Add food coloring to the bag, rub the food coloring into the rice.
- Pour colored rice on to a baking pan lined with wax or parchment paper.
- Move rice around as it dries so the bottom has a chance to dry.
Notes
Other Ingredient Options:
PER 1 CUP OF RICE: 1 TEASPOON WHITE VINEGAR OR 1 TEASPOON LEMON JUICE
Thank you for this wonderful information. I had no clue and now holidays
will be more awesome knowing this trick.
Thank you for sharing!!
I’m so happy you like it Sherrill!
Thank you for this great idea. How fun! Can’t wait to try this next weekend for my party.
Once you start Linda you’ll be coloring rice for every occasion. I just made a fresh batch tonight for my pool party!
And I don’t have any rubbing alcohol. Now what?
Hi Lynda, You can use either 1 teaspoon white vinegar or 1 teaspoon lemon juice per 1 cup of rice.
Just 1 tbsp or tsp of rubbing alcohol? To 1 cup rice ?
Hi Sabina, Add enough rubbing alcohol to coat the rice.
Is this only for decoration (of raw rice) or can you cook it too?
Hi Osako, Decoration only…it has rubbing alcohol.
Anyway to dry it faster? Could I put it in the oven on a low heat perhaps??
Hi Teri, I don’t know about the oven. You could try using less alcohol.
I just want to commend you on answering these questions. I sense no sarcasm whatsoever from your responses as you repeated yourself multiple times. Your instructions are pretty clear. So kudos to you Sheryl & thank you for this great hack! ❤
Thank You!
I’m going to use this for my wedding table decorations and tea lights and votive cups. Neat idea
That’s going to be beautiful Valerie! Congratulations!♥
DO you have any suggestions for a food safe option? I wanted to put unwrapped pretzel rods in it but an concerned about the alcohol.
Thanks!
Hi Mandi,
1 teaspoon of White Vinegar per 1 cup of white rice
1 teaspoon of lemon juice per 1 cup of white rice
What brand of food colouring did you use for this rice? Thanks
Hi Laura, Most of my gel colors are the Sunny Side Up Bakery Brand from Hobby Lobby. Some of them are Wilton.
Hey there! I have made the rice before but am having trouble with it staining the kids hands or the objects I put in the bins. Any suggestions?
Hi Amy, Try using white vinegar instead of rubbing alcohol.