How to Dye Chickpeas for Sensory Play

Sharing is caring!

We’ve tried dyeing all kinds of sensory bin fillers, and these rainbow chickpeas are the easiest to dye and the quickest to dry.

They’re so bright that my kids played for 45 minutes before we even added toys. They’re great in sensory bins and sensory bottles too.

Ages 3 and up
Time 10 minutes plus 15 to dry
Supplies 3
Not for Kids who mouth things
Rainbow Dyed Chickpeas are a quick and easy sensory bin filler that kids will love!

How to Dye Chickpeas

Rainbow Paper Plate Craft

Get the printable

Dried chickpeas

View on Amazon

Acrylic paint

View on Amazon

Sandwich bags

A sensory bin

Some links above are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Divide the chickpeas

Put 2 to 3 handfuls of chickpeas in a bag for each color.

Add paint

Squirt about a quarter-size blob of acrylic paint into each bag.

Shake

Seal and shake until coated. Shaking is great heavy work for little arms.

Dry

Open the bags and let them dry. Shake again after a few minutes to break up clumps. They’re dry in about 15 minutes.

Play

Pour them in a bin to scoop, pour and sort by color.

Safety note

Painted chickpeas are not food, and dried beans are a choking hazard. My youngest tried to eat them, so this bin is for kids past the mouthing stage, with close supervision.

Tips for Rainbow Chickpeas

  • Use acrylic paint for fast drying and bright color.
  • Store them dry in a sealed container. They last for months.
  • Sort and count: Make a rainbow, sort by color or count scoops.
  • Sensory bottles: Layer the colors in a clear bottle.

More dyed sensory fillers

See all →

Turn sensory play into learning with our play dough task cards.

The rainbow craft includes

  • Printable rainbow craft templates
  • Step-by-step picture directions
  • Instant PDF download, nothing is shipped

Perfect for

  • Color units
  • Preschool and kindergarten
  • Spring and St. Patrick’s Day

Dyed Chickpeas FAQ

How do you dye chickpeas for sensory play?

Shake dried chickpeas in a bag with a little acrylic paint, then let them dry about 15 minutes.

Can you dye chickpeas with acrylic paint?

Yes. Acrylic paint gives the brightest color and dries fastest, in about 15 minutes. It makes them not food, though.

Are dyed chickpeas taste safe?

No. Acrylic paint isn’t edible, and dried beans are a choking hazard.

How long do they last?

Months, stored dry in a sealed container.

Can I use food coloring?

Yes, with a little vinegar, but it takes longer to dry and colors are softer.

More Dyed Sensory Materials

See all →

From families like yours

Did you try it? Tell us how it went!

We love seeing these activities out in the wild: the lumpy letters, the snack breaks, the proud “I made a B!” moments. Leave a star rating, tell other parents what worked (and what totally didn’t), and add a photo of your setup if you’d like.

No stories yet. Be the first family to share how it went!

Stephanie Oswald, early childhood intervention specialist and creator of Parenting Chaos

Hi, I’m Stephanie!

I’m an early childhood intervention specialist and the mom behind Parenting Chaos. I share simple, hands-on activities that help little ones learn through play. Coffee addict, nature junkie and kid at heart.

More about me →

Explore More Activities

Sharing is caring!

4 thoughts on “How to Dye Chickpeas for Sensory Play”

  1. These are so beautiful and colorful! I am considering this activity for classroom use. Does the paint start to chip off at some point, or do the chickpeas start to crumble? Thanks for the idea!

    Reply

    • Hi Chris,

      We didn’t have any issue with either and ours lasted a very long time, however, they also were not being used in a classroom. I do think they would do very well in a classroom, but cannot give feedback as to how well they will last for that level of useage.

      Reply

Leave a Comment