Rice - Page 2 of 3

The Aluminium Pan Sifter Shake

Steps:

Place the Aluminium Foil Pan upside down on a table.
Use a pencil to poke ten holes through the bottom of the pan.
Flip the pan over and set it on top of a large bowl.
Pour a cup of dry rice and a handful of beads into the pan.
Hold the edges of the pan with both hands.
Shake the pan side to side to sift the rice into the bowl.
Use your pinching fingers to pick up the remaining beads!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children during this activity. The pencil has a sharp point, and the rice and beads are small objects that can be a choking hazard.

The Rice Pan Bridge Cross

Steps:

Pour Rice into the Aluminium Foil Pan.
Place three Craft Sticks across the pan width to form narrow bridges.
Put a few small Blocks on the table next to the pan.
Give your child the Tongs to pick up one Block.
Challenge them to walk the Block across a Craft Stick bridge.
If the Block falls into the Rice, try again!
Deliver all the Blocks to the other side to win.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when playing with small blocks or rice. These materials can be a choking hazard. Ensure the pan is on a flat surface to prevent spills.

Sticky Rice Push-Through

Steps:

Prep the Pucks: Squeeze a small circle of glue onto an Index Card. Sprinkle a thick layer of dry Rice onto the glue and press it down firmly. Let the glue set for 15 minutes until tacky.
Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut a tight, narrow slot (about 1.5 inches long) into the Container lid. Secure the lid tightly onto the container with Masking Tape.
Tear the Index Card into small squares, making sure each rice/glue spot stays centered on its own small piece.
Stabilize: Ask the child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand on the table.
Load and Deliver: Pick up one Craft Stick. Use the stick to push the resistant, sticky rice puck straight through the narrow slot. Repeat this until all pucks are delivered!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry rice is a small material and poses a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Sensory Squeeze Lines

Steps:

Mix Tempera Paint and a tablespoon of dry Rice in a bowl. Use a Spoon to stir until it is a thick, chunky paste that offers some resistance.
Scoop the paint mixture into the bottom corner of a Ziplock Bag. Squeeze all the excess air out and seal the top of the bag tightly.
Place the Construction Paper onto the Cardboard for a firm surface. Use scissors to snip a tiny corner off the Ziplock Bag (this creates the nozzle).
Have your child use their non-dominant hand to hold the top of the bag steady. This provides proximal stability for the working hand.
Encourage them to use their dominant hand to squeeze the bag firmly, pushing the paint out. Challenge them to control the squeeze to make textured lines and shapes.

Safety Tip:
Use non-toxic tempera paint and supervise closely. Due to the small size of the rice grains and the snipped Ziplock bag pieces, constant adult supervision is necessary to prevent choking or ingestion.

Treasure Hunt Sensory Bin

This sensory bin activity provides the child with a fun chance to build trust with messy textures through play.

Preparation:

Step 1: Pour sensory bin fillers (cornmeal was used in this photo but you can also use sand, beans, and rice).

Step 2: Hide gems/coins in the sand.

Step 3: Provide tongs for your child to use to retrieve the treasure & place in a separate bowl/treasure box. For an increased challenge, have the child close their eyes and search for the treasure with their hands.