Colored Sand

A.K.A Dyed Salt 

One of our favorite sensory activities is Dyed Salt, or as my kids call it, COLORED SAND! It's not only quick to make, but you probably already own all the materials. 

I've noticed when we're having the kind of day that is filled with BIG emotions, you know the day! These are the days that are best tamed with a simple sensory bin. 

Did you know that sensory play aides with the development of motor skills, language development, awakening/utilizing the senses, building nerve connections in the brain, problem solving, and in our case - calming the wildest of emotions! 

Here are some of our favorites uses for Dyed Salt:

1. Language: We like to use the dyed salt to practice letters and sight words. Just place a flash card for them to duplicate with their fingers or paintbrush on sand!     *use old shoe box or sandwich container to hold sand

2. Art: Use over frozen ice cubes and watch the salt melt the ice into beautiful colors. 

3. Theme Bins: Add animals, fairies, sea creatures, dinosaurs, trucks, etc. You get the point! Any toy and create a theme.

4. Fine Motor Skills: Add pom poms to and use tweezers or tongs to practice fine motor skills to fish them out of the salt. 

5. Counting/ Practical Skills/ Fine Motor Skills: Use measuring spoons and pour into recycled containers or tupperware. 

*we love to use metal containers to hear the thumping sound of salt hitting metal. Glass or clear are also great because we can see the salt traveling down into container!

The uses are endless and the batch will last a VERY, VERY, long time when stored in airtight container/bag. 

What you'll need: 

* A ziplock bag a sandwich size or similar 

* Salt 

* Food coloring 

Instructions: 

*I start with a 1/2 cup at a time. 

1. Pour 1/2 cup of salt into ziplock bag and add 2-3 drops of food coloring into rice. *if your salt is bleeding, add more salt to absorb the dye. 

2. Seal bag and make sure to squeeze out excess air

3. Kneed the salt in bag (or have your child mix it up for you 😉) until all the salt is evenly dyed. 

*Repeat for every color you choose to make. 

All done! Pour into a tray, large Tupperware or empty shoe box and play! 

The sand should not bleed on hands or surface, if it does just add some more salt and blend well in bag until no more bleeding.

May we all stay healthy, happy, and creative!