How To Make A Magnet Sensory Bin Using Rainbow Rice

Create a vibrant magnet sensory bin using colorful rainbow rice, magnet treasures, and STEM fun. Perfect for sparking curiosity and learning!

Looking for an easy and fun activity to entertain your little ones while sneaking in a little learning? Say hello to the magnet sensory bin!

This colorful and engaging setup combines the magic of magnets with the sensory fun of rainbow rice. Whether it’s for a rainy afternoon, a science-themed play session, or just because, this activity is bound to be a hit.

Why Magnet Sensory Bins Are Awesome

There’s something amazing about magnets! The way they stick, repel, and pick up objects feels like magic to little hands. Combine that with the fun sensory experience of running their fingers through colorful rice, and you’ve got an activity they’ll ask for again and again.

A magnet sensory bin is a container filled with sensory-friendly materials (like rainbow rice) and magnetic items for your child to explore. Kids can dig, scoop, and experiment with magnets to discover what sticks (literally) and what doesn’t.

This isn’t just another activity; it’s a blend of sensory play and STEM learning. Your child will explore science concepts like magnetism, engineering, and problem-solving—all while having a blast.

How To Make A Magnet Sensory Bin

What You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to whip up your own magnet sensory bin. The great thing about this bin is how customizable it is, so don’t stress if you don’t have every exact item on this list—you can get creative with what you have on hand.

• Rainbow Rice: You can either make it at home (which I’ll show you how to do in a sec!) or buy pre-made rainbow rice. It’s just as fun to make it as it is to play with it!
• Magnets: Magnet wands, U-shaped magnets, or any kid-friendly magnets.
• Magnetic items: Think paperclips, magnet bingo chips, magnetic marbles, magnet letters, or any other magnetic toys you have laying around.
• Non-magnetic Items: Add variety with plastic toys or wooden blocks to encourage experimentation.
• Sensory Bin (or any container big enough for your child to play in): My favorite options are a sensory bin with lid for a smaller setup, or a larger sensory table for more expansive play.
• Scoops, Tongs, and Funnels: Kids love exploring with tools, and this adds an extra layer of motor skill development.
• Small bowls or silicon muffin cups: Perfect for sorting the items once they’re found.

How to Make Rainbow Rice (Quick and Easy!)

If you’ve never made rainbow rice before, you’re in for a treat! It’s so simple, budget friendly, and takes only a few minutes to prep. Plus, it adds a fun sensory experience before the bin even comes together. Here’s how you can whip up a batch in no time.

Check out our full blog post on how to make rainbow rice with step-by-step directions, along with helpful tips and tricks for dying rice.

1. Grab some uncooked rice

Go with the budget-friendly kind! You’ll need about 1-2 cups of rice per color. About 8-10 cups total, depending on the size of your bin.

2. Add food coloring

Divide the rice into ziplock bags, one for each color you want. Squirt a few drops of food coloring into each bag along with a teaspoon of white vinegar or rubbing alcohol per 1 cup of rice (this helps the color set).

3. Shake it up!

Shake the bags. Let your kids help shake them—this part is really fun! Shake until all the rice is evenly coated in bright color.

4. Spread out the rice to dry

Lay the colored rice on a parchment paper or a baking sheet to dry. It usually takes about 1-2 hours to fully dry, but it’ll be good to go once it feels nice and dry to the touch.

Now, you have beautiful rainbow rice! You can store it in an airtight container and use it over and over again for different activities.

Instructions

Now for the fun part—putting it all together!

1. Fill your bin

Pour the rainbow rice into your container, spreading it evenly across the bottom.

2. Add your Magnetic items

Scatter magnetic items like paperclips, magnet bingo chips, magnetic marbles, magnet letters, or any other magnetic toys you have laying around. Mix them up to make it more intriguing and encourage exploration. Resist the urge to overfill your bin. A few key items go a long way!

3. Add Your Non-Magnetic Items

Mix in non-magnetic objects such as pom-poms or wooden blocks. These provide contrast and encourage your child to test and compare.

4. Add the magnetic Tools

Set out a few magnet wands or other kid-safe magnetic tools for easy exploration. Adding scoops, tongs, or small bowls to make the activity even more versatile, allowing kids to sort items into magnetic and non-magnetic piles.

Creative Play Ideas For Your Magnet Sensory Bin

The beauty of this activity is that it’s open-ended. Here are a few ideas to get the fun started:

1. Magnetic Treasure Hunt

Use the magnet wand to “fish” for magnetic items hidden in the colorful rainbow rice. They’ll love the thrill of discovery as they uncover paperclips, magnetic chips, or other treasures sticking to their wand.

2. Experiment Time

Test a variety of items to see which ones are magnetic and which aren’t. Before each test, ask your child to make a guess—do they think it will stick or not? It’s a great way to introduce the concept of hypotheses.

3. Sorting Game

Encourage your child to sort the objects into magnetic and non-magnetic piles. Take it a step further by asking them to explain why they think certain items are magnetic while others aren’t.

4. Building Structures

Get creative with the magnetic items and create shapes, towers, or even abstract designs by sticking magnetic pieces together.

Safety When Playing with Sensory Bins

Sensory bins are amazing, but it’s always good to keep a few safety tips in mind:

• Supervise younger kids: Always supervise young children when using magnets or small items. If you have young children playing with the bin, always keep an eye on them to make sure they’re not putting any small objects in their mouths. Choking hazards are a real concern, so be mindful of the size of the objects you include.

• Keep it clean: Sensory bins can get messy! Lay down a sheet or tablecloth underneath to catch any runaway rice or small pieces. This makes cleanup a breeze.

Why Kids Love The Magnet Sensory Bin

A magnet sensory bin isn’t just an activity—it’s an experience! It’s fun, engaging, and educational. Whether your kids are discovering the mysteries of magnetism or simply enjoying the sensory play, this bin will be a hit!

Ready to make your own magnet sensory bin? Let me know how it goes in the comments.