How To Color Dye Pasta Noodles For Kids Crafts

Have you ever color-dyed dry pasta? It is surprisingly easy and inexpensive to do and requires very few supplies. Dyed pasta can be used in many different ways like: 

• in sensory bins 
• included in a busy bag activity
• used in an art project 
• use to help teach colors
• counting & math activities

Since pasta comes in many different shapes the options for their use once color dyed are endless! My kids have used dyed pasta in art projects and even on homemade cards. 

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How To Color Dye Pasta Noodles

Supplies needed:

• 16 oz. box of dry pasta noodles (here is a variety pack I used)
• zip lock bags
• food coloring
• rubbing alcohol
• baking sheet
• paper towel

Step-by-step instructions:

1.  Divide the dry pasta noodles evenly into zip lock bags.The quantity of bags depends on how many colors you want to make.
2. Add about 1 tablespoon (eyeball it!) of rubbing alcohol and 10-15 drops of food coloring into each bag. Zip the bags closed and gently shake the bag to mix the color making sure all the noodles are evenly coated. Then let the noodles sit in the bag for about 10 minutes.
3. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and pour the colored pasta onto the paper towels. Let the noodles dry completely before letting your children play with them.

Obviously, the pasta noodles are no longer edible since they are coated in food coloring and rubbing alcohol! The rubbing alcohol smell will dissipate after a little while after you have poured them out of the zip lock bag. 

As with all small objects please make sure to supervise your little ones while they are playing with the colored noodles - they can be a choking hazard! 

Fun Projects To Make With Color Dyed Pasta

Here are some great ideas for your kids to try with this new batch of color dyed pasta noodles

Noodle Jewelry 

via: sunshinewhispers.com

Custom jewelry every child loves to make. String hollow-shaped pasta onto a piece of yarn or embroidery floss then tie off the ends to make a necklace or bracelet. 

Pasta Butterfly Card 

via: craftymorning.com

Let your child make a homemade greeting card for any occasion. Glue color-dyed bowtie pasta to the front of a blank card. With a marker add antenna and small dashed lines to show the butterfly flight pattern. 

Color Sorting Activity  

This is a great activity to help with fine motor skills for young children. Combine multi-colored pasta into a large bowl. Provide your youngster with an empty muffin tin and have them sort the pasta into the muffin wells separating them by color. Once they are done help them count how many pieces of each color they sorted.

Pasta Garland 

via: allthingspinkandpretty.com

Kick-off the holiday season with this great holiday craft activity to do with your children. Cut a long piece of yarn and then use holiday-themed colored pasta  (red & green for Christmas or red & pink for Valentine's Day) and string them onto the yarn. Wrap the pasta garland around your Christmas tree or drape across the front of a fireplace mantel.

Colorful Rainbow Pasta Art

via: learncreatelove.com

Let your kids make something pretty to hang on their bedroom wall! On a sturdy piece of cardstock lightly draw one arch of a rainbow to use as a guide. With craft glue (or hot glue) spread a dab of glue along one side of the pasta and stick it to the cardstock on the pencil-drawn arch. Using the same color pasta continue adding pieces of pasta until the arch is completely covered. Add a second arch under the first arch of pasta with a new color. Continue adding new colored arches until you are satisfied with your rainbow. 

Color Dyed Pasta Mosiac

via: buggyandbuddy.com

This is a great art project to do with a variety of color-dyed pasta shapes. Use stiff cardboard and cut out a large simple shape like a heart or a circle. Spread craft glue thickly over the surface of the cardboard shape. Place a variety of colored pasta into the glue completely covering the cardboard. Once the mosaic is dry hot glue a small piece of ribbon to the back and hang it up to display. 

How To Store Color Dyed Pasta

It is best to store your color-dyed pasta in a large zip-lock bag or air -tight container. If it becomes crushed and broken just toss it out and make a new batch! 

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Don't forget to PIN this post for later! Also, I appreciate your comments and can't wait to hear what projects and activities you used your color-dyed pasta to make. For more great DIY projects make sure to follow me here too!