HOW TO DYE SALT FOR SENSORY PLAY: FUN AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
When it comes to sensory play ideas, it really doesn’t take much to excite and impress little ones. As easy as they are to please (at times, right?), that doesn’t stop us from wanting to incorporate new and engaging materials into activities. This doesn’t have to be a difficult task, though! With a little creativity and imagination, you’d be surprised at how many household items you can incorporate into playtime.
We’ve discussed how to dye spaghetti, how to dye beans, and now, we’re exploring an easy way to dye salt! Colored salt for sensory play is hands-down one of the easiest and most versatile materials you can use. So, naturally, it’s one of my favorites!
Although you can just pick up store-bought dyed salt, where’s the fun in that? Turn this experience into a bonding moment by letting the kiddos help squish, squeeze, and blend the colorful salt. Plus, making this play recipe at home allows you to use ingredients you know are taste-safe. Although this seems like a small detail, it gives you that extra peace of mind during play.
That’s why today, we’re going over a simple step-by-step on how to dye salt at home. And, make sure you stick around until the end! I’m also providing a roundup of easy and enjoyable colored salt play ideas that your kids are sure to love.
How to Dye Salt for Sensory Play: Fun at Your Fingertips
I’m a fan of pretty much all sensory play activities—whether the setup takes a couple minutes or a few hours. But when I find one that’s easy to make, offers long-lasting entertainment, and can be reused a few times? Sign me up. Trust me, the prep time is much easier than you may think!
Ingredients:
Table salt
Food coloring
Gallon-sized Ziploc bag
Bin, bowl, or bag (depending on what you want to put it in!)
Instructions:
Step 1: Add as much salt as you think you’ll need to a Ziploc bag. My rule of thumb is about 3 cups to 1 gallon-sized bag—but you may need more or less depending on the activity. Entertaining more than one child? No big deal! Just use an extra bag or two.
Step 2: After you’ve put the salt into a bag, add a few drops of food coloring. Again, I usually add about 3 or 4 drops, but you can add as many as you want. You can also get creative and mix colors! Just remember, the more you add, the deeper the color of the sand will get.
Step 3: Remove all the air from the bag and close it shut. Then, use your hands to knead the food coloring evenly into each little grain. Feel free to give the bag a few shakes for good measure.
Step 4: Let it dry for a few minutes, and then you have DIY-dyed salt! Take a look at some of the play activities below and enjoy.
Colored Salt Sensory Play Ideas
Colored Salt Tray: When it comes to practicing writing skills, this salt tray activity is truly the best. Just pour your salt into a shallow tray, shake it to create an even layer, and let kids practice their writing!
Construction Zone: Anyone here with little ones in their, what I like to call, “construction obsession” phase? If so, they’ll love this activity. Simply place orange or brown salt into a tray and add in a few mini cat construction machines! (They’re actually cake toppers, but they’re just the right size for this activity.)
Salt-Painted Flowers: Transform simple salt flowers into liquid watercolors with this salt painting activity! You can actually just use regular salt and a little food coloring mixed with water. Once your kids drop water onto the flower outlines, they get a fun DIY watercolor garden.
Pond-Themed Sensory Box: Add blue salt to a small bowl to create a fun indoor “pond”. Make sure it’s deep enough so kids can scoop, stir, and run their hands through the salt. Then, add in little pond decor items that kids can play with as they explore.
Rainbow Layer Jars: Creating a layered salt jar isn’t just an exciting activity; it’s also a cute keepsake! Just add various colors of salt to bowls and let little ones pour the colors to achieve their desired effect. It’s the perfect activity for letting their creativity run wild.
Mini Zen Garden: Zen gardens are fantastic stress-reducing activities, but why buy one when you can make it? Dump a vibrant-colored salt into your tray, lay down a few mini zen garden rakes, and place a few smooth, colorful stones in the corners. It’s calming, engaging, and super fun!
Make playtime magical with these fun and easy dyed salt sensory activities!
When you dye salt for sensory activities, you open up a whole new world of imaginative play. The salt naturally creates an engaging tactile experience, and each of the activities above offers a unique range of benefits. From fostering fine motor skills to creating an outlet for open-ended creativity, colorful salt can do it all.
For more fun and imaginative independent play, order our new book, Playful by Design—out NOW! It’s a guide to transforming your home into a place of creativity and connection, igniting kids’ imagination, and fostering independence.
Also, don’t forget to check out the Mothercould blog for more engaging and developmentally beneficial sensory activities. You’ll find everything from simple, independent activities to more hands-on projects that stimulate new (and old!) skills. And, don’t forget to check out Mothercould In Your Pocket for helpful tutorials, fun recipes, and exciting activity packs!
