How to Make Colored Beans for Sensory Play

In our family, we’re always on the lookout for simple, affordable sensory bin fillers. One, because I love making them, and two, because this is, hands down, the activity that will keep my kids occupied and sensory regulated for the longest amount of time. And I love a good hot coffee drinking moment. It seems that no matter what we fill our sensory table with, my kids go nuts for it. Colored dried beans are one of our favorite sensory staples because they’re quick to make, endlessly reusable, and perfect for everything from scooping and pouring to imaginative play setups.

If you’ve already made things like colored rice, colored oats, or colored spaghetti for sensory bins, dyed beans are another fun texture to add into your rotation. They use the same concept as these other bases (base+vinegar+color) but they provide a new fun texture to play with. They’re especially great for toddlers and preschoolers who love filling cups, digging with scoops, and creating pretend play scenes.

The best part? Just like our other favorite bases, you only need a few simple supplies and about 5 minutes of hands on prep.

Why We Love Colored Beans for Sensory Play

Colored beans are:

• Budget friendly
• Easy to customize for holidays and themes
• Less messy than some sensory fillers
• Reusable for months (or even years!)
• Great for fine motor skills and independent play

They also mix beautifully with other sensory materials. We love combining them with our colored rice sensory bins, rainbow colored oats, or even adding in strands from our colored spaghetti sensory play for extra texture variety.

If your kids love tactile sensory activities, you can also pair dyed beans with homemade edible dirt, or kinetic sand for an even more engaging sensory setup.

Supplies Needed

• Dried beans (the lighter colored the bean the better if you want vibrant colors)
• White vinegar
• Food coloring (always my favorite vibrant colors)
• Large zip top bags or containers with lids
• Baking sheet or tray
• Paper towels or parchment paper

Best Beans for Coloring

You can use almost any type of dried bean, but some absorb color better than others. If you want to really get the most out of coloring beans, the white or light colored beans work best. But don’t let that stop you! There are some great ways to use the darker colored beans as well.

Here are a few favorites:

• White beans or great northern beans for bright vibrant colors
• Pinto beans for earthy sensory bins
• Black beans for outer space or construction themes
• Lima beans for larger scooping activities

Different bean types also add a fun mix of shapes and textures to sensory play.

How to Color Dried Beans

Step 1: Add Beans to a Bag

Pour about 1 to 2 cups of dried beans into a large zip top bag or airtight container.

Step 2: Add Coloring Ingredients

Add:

• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• Several drops of food coloring

The more food coloring you use, the more vibrant your beans will be. I usually start at 3 drops of these colors per cup of beans and go from there.

Step 3: Shake to Coat

Seal the bag tightly and shake until all of the beans are evenly coated.

This is a fun step for kids to help with too.

Step 4: Spread to Dry

Pour the beans onto a lined baking sheet or tray and spread them into a single layer.

Allow them to dry completely before placing into sensory bins. This usually takes 1 to 2 hours depending on how much coloring was used.

If you are lazy, or busy, or just over the novelty of making these at this point and your brain doesn’t care anymore, you can always leave them in the bag and let them dry there as well. Just open the bag to let some air move around and stir or shake them up occasionally. I usually leave them overnight and they’re good the next day!

Step 5: Play!

Once dry, your colored beans are ready for sensory play.

Sensory Bin Ideas Using Colored Beans

One of the best things about dyed beans is how versatile they are. You can easily customize them for seasons, holidays, or learning themes.

Try using them for:

• Rainbow sensory bins
• Farm themed sensory play
• Construction sensory bins
• Dinosaur digs
• Space sensory bins
• Fall harvest sensory play
• Christmas sensory trays
• Spring gardening sensory bins

Add in scoops, funnels, cups, toy animals, mini trucks, or alphabet letters for even more learning and play opportunities. Check out some of our favorite sensory bin accessories here.

If your kids enjoy hands on sensory activities, they’ll probably also love our homemade shower paint, fluffy slime, or ice cream in a bag activity for another fun texture experience.

Tips for Sensory Play with Beans

Rotate Fillers

Kids tend to stay more interested when sensory fillers change occasionally. Rotating between colored rice, dyed oats, colored spaghetti, and dried beans keeps sensory bins feeling fresh and exciting.

Store for Reuse

Once dry, colored beans store really well in sealed containers or zip top bags. We often reuse ours for months.

Supervise Young Children (!!)

Because dried beans can be a choking hazard, always supervise toddlers and younger children during sensory play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do colored beans stain hands?

Once fully dry, they typically do not stain hands. If too much food coloring is used or they are not completely dry yet, slight transfer can happen.

How long do dyed beans last?

If stored dry in an airtight container, they can last for a very long time and be reused over and over again.

Can I mix sensory fillers together?

Absolutely. Mixing beans with colored rice, oats, or even edible dirt can create really fun texture combinations for sensory bins.

More Sensory Play Ideas Kids Love

If you’re building a collection of easy sensory activities, here are a few other fun ideas to try next:

• Colored rice sensory bins
• Rainbow colored oats
• Colored spaghetti sensory play
• Homemade edible dirt
• Oobleck sensory play
• DIY kinetic sand
• Homemade shower paint
• Homemade Kool-Aid Playdough

These simple sensory activities are easy to set up and keep little hands busy for surprisingly long stretches of time.

A Simple Sensory Bin Filler Kids Love

Colored dried beans are one of those easy sensory play activities that always seem to be a hit. They’re inexpensive, quick to prep, and can be reused again and again for all kinds of imaginative sensory bins.

Whether you’re creating a party sensory table set up, a themed preschool activity, or just looking for an easy afternoon activity for toddlers and preschoolers, dyed beans are such a fun addition to your sensory play collection.