How to Dye Oats for Sensory Play

This super easy step by step tutorial shows you how to quickly, and easily, dye oats for sensory play. Perfect as a sensory bin base for babies. 

Sensory play can provide wonderful and rich learning experiences to kids. Sensory bins are a really fun way to do this. By creating an inviting base, you can add so many different toys and tools to make for a fun themed bin! Dyeing materials are a really great way to inspire play, and the process in and of itself is really fun for kids! 

How to Dye Oats for Sensory Play

Did you know you can dye oatmeal? We love to use oats as a base for farm and Fall themed sensory bins, but by coloring it, you can open up the opportunities to use oats year round. They have a really nice sensory feel to them and can help your sensory bins become taste-safe for babies and toddlers. 

What you need to dye oats for sensory play:

1 cup of uncooked old fashioned oatmeal 

2 tablespoons of hand sanitizer

Food Coloring

Paper Towels

Zipper Seal Bag

How to dye oats for sensory play:

1. Place 1 cup of uncooked oatmeal into a zipper seal bag.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of hand sanitizer (or vinegar to make is safe for babies) and 10-15 drops of food coloring.
3. Seal the bag, carefully letting the air out by squeezing the bag as you seal it.
4. Shake the oatmeal, sanitizer and food coloring well until all of the oatmeal is coated with vibrant color.
5. Dump and spread the oatmeal on several paper towels and allow them to dry for 2 to 4 hours.
6. After the oatmeal has dried it is ready to use for supervised sensory play.

How will you play with your dyed oats? Maybe with some tractors, or forest animals? Don’t forget to add basic tools such as spoons and bowls, or even large kitchen tongs to encourage even more fine motor fun! Get creative with your setups! You can save these in an airtight container and use them over and over again.

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