Have fun with rice these school holidays!
With the holidays in full swing it’s time to think of some fun activities to keep the kids busy! And what better way to do this than by using things you can easily find in your kitchen cupboard. At Spekko we know you love to spend time with your family, so we have compiled 3 great activity ideas to keep the kids entertained and, considering the winter weather, they are all perfect for indoor play!
Activity 1: Rainbow rice!
Ideal for sensory play, rainbow rice is both easy to make and fun to use! Once you have made it you can also store it indefinitely for future activities. With the winter weather settling in this is the ideal activity to brighten the day. Appropriate for a range of ages, you can either divide into different containers for your little ones to learn about colours, or your older kids can make beautiful collages by sticking the rice onto cardboard. Not all activities need to be expensive or involve you driving your kids around all day and this is something that will certainly bring the sunshine indoors.
What you will need:
- Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice
- Vinegar
- Food colouring
- Food storage container
Process:
First decide on how many different colours you want. Then use 1 cup of rice, half a teaspoon of vinegar and a few drops of food colouring. Take an old margarine container (or any similar container with lid), pour the cup of rice into it and use a knife or toothpick to mix in a few drops of food colouring. Then drizzle the vinegar over it, pop on the lid and shake! Remove the lid and you will see the beautiful results. Repeat the process in separate containers for the other colours and soon you will have a rainbow of rice with endless opportunities for play!
Activity 2: Rice shakers!
If you’re a mom of babies under 2 you know the need for toys they can shake, touch and generally make a noise with! Making your own fun shaker for your baby is easy and will provide lots of entertainment.
What you will need:
- An empty plastic milk bottle
- Spekko rice
Process:
Wash out the bottle and once it is dry fill it about the third of the way with the Sepkko rice. Put on the lid and give it a shake. It makes for an excellent and inexpensive rattle! Want to get your older kids involved? Why not get them to decorate the bottle for their brother or sister? For extra fun you can also use a clear plastic water bottle and fill it with rainbow rice.
Activity 3: Make your own Bean bags!
Small bean bags are ideal for kids to play with inside the home. These are also a fun thing to make with an older child who you are teaching how to sew!
What you will need:
- Fabric that you can cut into squares of around 17cm
- Spekko rice
- Tape measure or ruler
- Ziploc bags
Process:
Take your fabric and cut it into squares, you will need 2 squares per bean bag. Place them together and sew along three sides so that you have a pocket (one side is open). Then put half a cup of rice into a Ziploc bag and seal. Place the bag into the pocket and then sew up the open side. Repeat these steps for as many bean bags as you would like. They can be made in a variety of colours and are great for young and older kids to play with!
We hope you create some wonderful memories with your children these school holidays and enjoy trying out these fun activities!