Smell Good Supplies

Random title, I know! I have been busy all Summer gathering different supplies that I like to use. Yes, we have a resource room but there are some things I like to have for myself in my room and a few different types of supplies that no one else uses. A big thing for me this Summer has been finding the perfect ways to dye rice and alphabet pasta. We use both items for art projects with our letters as well as I use them in tupperware containers for the children to go on scavenger hunts. I like to fill up the tubs with the rice or pasta and hide magnetic letters or numbers and let the children go on a hunt for a center.

So, obviously, I needed a significant amount of rice for this activity and why would I want to leave it plain white?! So I set out to dye it all different colors. My first attempt was with a small amount of alcohol mixed with Wilton's gel food colors so I could achieve vibrant colors. Well, it worked well but upon drying left an alcohol odor which I was not a fan of. Plus, when they tell you to lay out and make sure it is completely dry before sealing in an airtight container, listen! I put them in and to my surprise, a few weeks later, a slight bit of mold began to grow on the moist rice which I thought was dry!

So, I found another method where you dye with packets of Kool-Aid. Not only does it work but it leaves your rice smelling good and fruity! Here are the steps I took to achieve my "Smell Good Rice":

1. Below you will find the supplies I used - packets of Kool-Aid, a 4 cup measuring cup, rice and water (not pictured).

2. Pour a packet of Kool-Aid into the measuring and add a small amount of very hot water to dissolve the Kool-Aid completely. Remember, the more liquid, the longer it will take to dry.

3. Begin pouring rice - generally around 2 cups but sometimes I do more if I have to much liquid.

4. After you get your rice poured, you need to stir it all together making sure to coat all the rice well. I use a small rubber spatula and it makes it easy to mix.

5. After you have it all stirred together, it should look like this!

6. Then, spread it all out onto parchment or wax paper to dry. I ran out and used paper towels tonight and it worked just as well!

7. After you have done all the flavors you would like, you will have this fun finished product! Oh, FYI... my brown rice was made with cocoa powder and very hot water. It took a while to mix well and dissolve but it worked! Just do it the same way as the Kool-Aid packets.