Lemon-scented rice is perfect for summer sensory play! The fresh smell of lemons is so invigorating that you might need to make some fizzy lemonade, too! Lemon-scented rice is quick and easy to make. You can easily whip up a batch in the morning and play with your sensory bin after lunch! Enjoy great sensory play with our very best kids’ sensory play activities.
Enjoy Summer Sensory Play
Our simple how to dye rice recipe makes beautiful colors for whatever theme you choose, including this yellow lemon-scented rice.
Then, use it to set up a fun and easy summer sensory bin. Kids will have a blast digging their hands into this sensory bin!
💡Check here for even more Sensory Play ideas and recipes! Including our new 2 ingredient lemon sensory dough recipe!
For this lemon-scented rice sensory bin, I made four batches of rice, all of varying shades, by adding more or less food coloring. I covered and shook until evenly coated. I laid the rice as flat as possible on a paper towel, and in about 30 minutes, I had lovely lemon-scented rice for summer olfactory sensory play!
Watch the dyed rice process video:
Free Quick Start Sensory Bin Guide
Sensory bins are easy to make! Don’t overcomplicate the process, and don’t underestimate the power of a simple sensory bin! Grab the free sensory bin how to guide to get started.
How To Make Lemon Scented Rice
💡 Note: The lemon juice replaces the vinegar or rubbing alcohol that you may use in other methods of dying rice. Of course, the lemon juice gives the rice the special scent you want! Read more tips at the bottom of the page.
Supplies:
Try lime juice too with green food coloring!
- White Rice
- Lemon Juice
- Yellow Food Coloring (for different shades)
- A Bin To Play In With Fun Scoops/Bowl
Instructions:
💡 What else can you do with lemons? Make a lemon volcano.
Step 1: Measure one cup of rice into a container with a lid.
Step 2: Add one teaspoon of lemon juice. (It has a pretty strong scent with this amount; adjust to preference).
Step 3: Add the desired amount of food coloring.
Step 4: Spread on a paper towel and let dry (30 mins for ours).
Step 5: Play!
What Is Olfactory Sensory Processing?
Why? The nose knows! Olfactory sensory play is all about smells and scents. Everyone, including children, is unique and has preferences.
Some smells calm us, like lavender at night, and some alert us, like fresh mint in the morning. Some smells are too strong, some too weak, and some just plain awful.
Likewise, some children will smell anything, and others (my son included) will avoid smelling even the prettiest flowers.
Be mindful of activities using different materials and what they smell like. It might not be that your child doesn’t enjoy painting; it might be the smell of the paints!
Want more lemon-scented fun? Grab this instant lemon activities page!
Tips For Easy Colored Rice Every Time
- If you stick to one cup per paper towel, the rice should be dry in an hour. This method also distributes the color the best.
- For some sensory bins, I have made graded shades of colors for a fun twist. This has also allowed me to experiment with how much food coloring per cup of rice to achieve the desired shades!
- Store your rice in gallon zip lock bags when finished, and reuse it often!
More Helpful Ideas For Sensory Bins
Sensory play is an amazing tool for young children. It’s the perfect hands-on play for early learning. Sensory bins are so versatile and easy to use and create. Make sure to check out the resources below for more on sensory bin and sensory play!
- Everything you Need to Know About Making Sensory Bins
- Easy Clean Up Of Sensory Bins
- Ideas For Non Food Sensory Bin Fillers
- Rice Sensory Bin Ideas
More Easy Sensory Play Recipes To Try
Click on the image below or on the link for more fun sensory play recipes for kids.
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