Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to welcome the season than with a bright and cheerful craft? Coloring rice green is a simple, satisfying way to celebrate the fresh green grass and all things springtime. My own lawn is slowly shifting from brown to green, and this fun project captures that seasonal transformation perfectly. It’s hands-on, kid-friendly, and super satisfying.
Coloring Rice Green for a Fun Spring Craft
Coloring rice is a simple, fun craft that’s great for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re making a sensory bin, decorating a spring display, or creating colorful Easter crafts, this quick project is a must-try.
Supplies:
- dry white rice – any kind
- rubbing alcohol – this helps rice dry faster
- green food coloring
- plastic zip baggie
- paper towels
- tray
Instructions:
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Place 2–3 cups of dry rice into a zip-top plastic bag.
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Add 3–4 drops of green food coloring.
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Pour in 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol.
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Seal the bag and shake well until the rice is evenly coated with color.
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Spread the rice out onto a tray lined with paper towels to dry.
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Stir after about 20 minutes; it should be dry within an hour.
Safety Tip: Food coloring can stain skin and surfaces, so protect your workspace and wear gloves if needed. Be sure the rice is fully dry before using it in any craft or display.
You’ll want it completely dry before you start to work with it again, as you don’t want any color to drip. After 20 or so minutes, give it a stir with a spoon. It should be dry within an hour.
Spring Display Idea
For my spring display, I filled a pink bucket with crumpled paper towels to reduce the amount of rice needed, then poured in the green-colored rice until it reached the top. It made an adorable base for my spring decorations!
Now it’s ready for a fun Spring time display. I told you it turns out super cute!
Check out what we’ve placed inside our cute bucket: Easter Candy Lollipops
More Springtime projects for you to try:
- 6 Spring Caterpillar Kids Crafts
- 7 Spring Flower Crafts to Brighten Your Day
- Crafty Popsicle Stick Baby Chick for Spring
- Spring Flower Airbrush Doormat
*Originally posted 3/18/10
I tried dying grass green for Christmas with this method. The dye is coming off on my son’s hands and is getting all over his clothes. What have I done wrong? Is there any way to remedy this problem?
That’s an awesome idea!
this is fun.
It might work to color the rice (for eating) by boiling it in colored water. It works for pasta…
Love this idea! Featured it on my site http://ificould-ificould.blogspot.com/2010/03/green-spring-rice.html
Thanks!
This is a very cute idea. And I never use alcohol to color pasta or rice. I add color to rice in a large bowl, stir until it’s colored and then then dump on a large tray to dry. Takes no time because it was such a small amount of liquid. Perfect every time.
Maybe this is completely superficial, but thank you for having non-name brand food coloring. It seems like so many cooking blogs always show all the name brand spices. Like the other kind doesn’t work.
I like this – you can really do lots of fun activities with the green rice!
Infarrantly – I love the idea of this rice in all colors in a clear glass bowl or vase. What a fun display!
Maya & Tegan and Tage – You can color the rice without the rubbing alcohol, you just need to make sure it dries quickly some how. You could place it in the sun or mix it around and not let it sit too long.
The reason for the alcohol is so the rice dries quickly and doesn’t start to make the rice soggy. So if you could get it to dry fast without the alcohol, you could probably cook it as is.
If either of you try this, let me know how it goes!
It’s too bad the rice becomes inedible. I wonder if there is a way to die the rice naturally? And I’m sure the rubbing alcohol could be excluded, it would just take the rice longer to dry. Hm…
Oh, so sweet!
Not safe for eating I guess?
Colored cooked rice would be so much fun too :)
That would be adorable to do different colors and layer them in a clear glass bowl. LOVES!