MOM Tip: Looking for some fun and busy activities for the kids at an affordable price? Check out these Noodle Beads. The kids will have fun for hours.
Items Needed:
- 1 Cup dry, uncooked pasta per color
- 2 Tablespoonsrubbing alcohol
- 4-5 drops food coloring (I found that the gels (like Wilton coloring gels) produced more vibrant colors)
- Sandwich baggies
- Toothpicks, if you are using gel colorings
- Large cup
- Surface to lay the wet beads on to try (I used a baking sheet covered with foil)
Place a sandwich baggie inside your cup and fold the top over the edge to hold it in place. This holds up your bag while you place everything inside. Add your pasta, rubbing alcohol and food coloring to the bag.
Zip it shut and gently shake or mix together with your hand to coat all of the beads. If you have any excess liquid, try to drain that out the best you can.
Spread the beads out on your drying surface to dry. I think this took about 3-4 hours if I remember right. Repeat with each color.
I purchased some kids jewelry braiding cord for a couple of dollars in the craft aisle at Walmart but any string that will fit into the size of pasta you are using will work. I cut a few necklaces sized pieces of string and tied one of the beads to the bottom of each so the rest of the beads would stay on the string. It’s a great sensory/coordination activity and only costs a couple of dollars to make!
This tip from Fabulessly Frugal.