Seven Simple Rainbow Activities You Can Do at Home
You’ll be familiar with the importance of keeping things easy when you have to manage a toddler. You don’t want your toddler to lose interest in a craft activity after only five minutes.
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The good news is? The good news is that there are many colourful and simple rainbow-themed activities for toddlers to enjoy without needing hours of preparation. Many of these activities can be created using household items and a few inexpensive additions.
While I cannot promise a mess-free experience, these activities strike a good balance between fun and easy cleanup. Plus, messy play is an important part of early childhood development.
Let’s quickly talk about the materials that you’ll require to create these beautiful rainbow colours before we get started.
Create Rainbow Colours in Craft Activities
Rainbow crafts often require some sort of coloring medium. Think about paints, colored pasta, colored bubbles, etc. While food coloring is the traditional quick fix, liquid watercolors are a better option.
Why?
- More vibrant colours: Liquid watercolors produce brighter colors, making rainbows pop.
- Washable. These are generally washable, and they’re less likely to stain clothes and hands. This is great for working with toddlers.
- Economica: One bottle will last forever, compared to the tiny food coloring drops.
They are available in most craft stores and online. They’re great for sensory play and toddler art.
1. Rainbow Soap Bubbles
Kids love soap bubbles. It’s fascinating to watch those iridescent bubbles pop and float. Did you know that you can transform bubbles into colourful sensory play activities by creating Rainbow soap foam?
How to make:
- Mix two tablespoons of liquid dishwasher detergent with one-quarter cup of water.
- To tint the mixture, add a few drops of liquid watercolour. Each batch should be a different color.
- Whip it with the mixer at the highest speed for about two minutes. It should form stiff peaks.
- For each color, place the foam in shallow plastic containers.
The foam is soft and coloured, so your toddler can swish his hands through it, mix the colours, or play with small tools.
It’s easy to make and clean up. Keep an eye out for little ones to make sure they don’t get the foam into their mouths.
2. Taste-Safe Rainbow Finger Paints
The squishy textures and squelchy surfaces are irresistible for little hands. Many commercial finger paints are made with chemicals that you may want to avoid. You can make edible, safe finger paints with pantry staples.
What you need to know:
- Yogurt or cornflour as a base
- Watercolours in liquid form for colours
- Add a few drops of lemon or vanilla juice to scent the air (optional).
How to make:
- Mix the base until smooth (such as yogurt or cooked cornflour).
- Add a few drops of liquid watercolours to the mixture to create different colors.
- For dipping your fingers, transfer the liquid to shallow containers.
You can let your toddler explore colour mixing and create patterns with rainbows, or simply enjoy the tactile experience by painting with their fingers. There is no need to worry about safety, even if they do taste some.
You can make your paints at home and have them on hand whenever inspiration strikes.
3. Rainbow Ice Balls
This is a great one for those hot summer days or curious children who like a challenge.
You will need ice-ball moulds, which are easily found online or at kitchen stores. Also, you’ll require liquid watercolours.
How to make:
- Fill the molds with water.
- Add a few drops of different liquid colours to different sections. Or mix to create gradient effects.
- Freeze overnight
When frozen, remove the colourful ice ball and let your child explore the slippery, cold textures. Watch the colors melt and mix, or use them to cool off in the water.
This activity encourages outdoor play, curiosity, and sensory stimulation.
4. Rainbow Salt Tray Game
The salt trays are popular in Montessori education because they promote sensory exploration and encourage early writing skills. Even if your child is not yet ready to trace letters, they will still have a lot of fun creating all sorts of shapes, patterns, and squiggles.
How to install it:
- Use a baking tray or shallow pan.
- Pour enough fine salt to cover the bottom.
- Place coloured papers or a rainbow-themed picture at the bottom of the tray so that your toddler can discover it while they are playing.
Toddlers can use a small stick or their fingers to draw the salt, revealing the rainbow beneath. This activity is a great way to stimulate sensory awareness, creativity, and coordination. It’s also cheap and easy.
5. Rainbow Play-Dough
Play-dough is essential for toddlers. Play-dough is a staple for toddlers. It promotes imaginative play and strengthens fine motor skills. There are many recipes for homemade play dough, but this one produces super-soft, non-sticky, that lasts months if stored properly.
You’ll need:
- 2 cups plain flour
- 1 cup of salt
- Cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons
- 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Around 1.5 cups of boiling water
- Watercolours in liquid form for colour
How to make:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, and salt.
- Stirring constantly, add oil and water until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into portions, and then add your liquid watercolour of choice to make vibrantly colored doughs.
- Keep in ziplock bags and store in the refrigerator to keep them soft.
These bright rainbow blobs will delight your toddler as they squish, roll, and shape them. Making it yourself allows you to control the ingredients, and there are no harmful preservatives or colors.
6. Rainbow Spaghetti Sensory Play
This is a great tactile activity for messy toddlers. Rainbow spaghetti is just cooked pasta that has been dyed in vibrant liquid watercolours. It’s then tossed around with some oil to keep it non-sticky and soft.
How to prepare
- Follow the instructions on the packet to cook spaghetti until it is soft.
- Drain and rinse with cold water
- Divide the pasta into separate bowls, and add a few drops of liquid watercolour in each one. Mix until the pasta has been evenly colored.
- Add a few drops of cooking oil to the mixture. This will keep strands supple and separated.
Pour the spaghetti in a sensory bin or large tray and let your child explore it with their hands. The slick texture, mixing colours, and endless possibilities for play will delight your toddler.
This activity is great for hot days or messy indoor games, but it does require close supervision in order to prevent choking hazards.
7. Rainbow Sensory Tray
Sensory trays can be a great way to stimulate multiple senses while encouraging open-ended games. Colored popcorn makes a colourful, simple medium that is easy to use and enjoyable to play with.
How to make:
- Pop plain popcorn.
- Divide the mixture into small bowls, and add watercolour liquid drops to each.
- Pour a good coating and allow to dry on baking paper.
Add small toys, scoops, or containers to a large tray of rainbow-coloured popcorn for your toddler.
Important Note: Popcorn can pose a choking risk. This activity is best suited for toddlers with confidence or preschoolers who are under supervision.
Conclusion
These seven rainbow-themed activities were designed for toddlers. They are easy to set up and safe. The colours will keep their eyes and hands busy.
What’s the best part? These activities can be done at home using everyday items. These activities, whether your toddler is squishing play-dough or squishing paint on paper to encourage creativity and sensory exploration.
Enjoy creating your rainbow moments with your child. Don’t forget to take a camera. These colourful crafts create wonderful memories. Of course, some mess is part of the fun.
