Since I posted yesterday about our sand table, and that you could use a shallow Rubbermaid type container for sand play, I thought I would give you a couple of sand alternatives that my children have enjoyed for several years.
Colored rice is pretty easy to make and is lots of fun for the kids (or the kid in each of us). This is also a very frugal craft which is always a bonus around here.
Colored Rice
1 Cup White Rice (not minute rice)
1 tsp. Rubbing Alcohol
Liquid Food Coloring (a couple of drops only)
In a zip-top plastic bag (or other lidded plastic container) mix the rubbing alcohol and food coloring. Add the rice, seal the bag and shake. Once the rice is colored spread it out on waxed paper to dry.
Repeat this process with other colors. I like to mix several colors of rice together. Keep the rice in a lidded plastic container. You can use this in place of sand for tactile play. I might recommend putting an old sheet or tablecloth under the container to catch any rice that will more than likely spill (unless your kids are much neater than mine). Then you can just put that rice back into the container when the kids are finished playing.
Cornmeal Sand
Cornmeal
Salt
Combine equal parts of cornmeal and salt. Mix well. Use like sand.
Other Sand Alternatives
Beans
Oats
Corn
Colored Stones (or plain rocks/pea gravel)
Beads
Buttons
Pasta
Disclaimer: Watch small children carefully when playing with any of these sand alternatives as they can be choking hazards.
