One Dollar Wednesday: Hey Macaroni!

Today's fabulous one dollar idea came about because I had almost an entire box of whole wheat macaroni that was not going to be eaten by anyone here. So get yourself a box of macaroni from the grocery store (usually on sale so you can get it for less than a buck) and get ready to make a couple of fun projects.

I found good directions for the first project here. Get a few baggies, some food coloring, white vinegar, and your macaroni. Put the desired amount of macaroni in the bags, add less than a teaspoon of vinegar and a few drops of food coloring to each bag, and shake it up to get the noodles covered in color. Then, leave the bags open and let air dry. I must have used a little too much vinegar so I had to lay my macaroni out on paper towels to dry completely. You will probably need to dry them overnight, and you should end up with colorful, dry, and hard macaroni pieces. Put them all in an empty bottle or container and hot glue the lid shut.
ABRACADABRA: Macaroni Maraca 

Wish I would have used more macaroni for this one.

So curious.

The other "experiment" came about after Camp had so much fun with the water play bin. This idea is perfect for curious children who are eating finger foods. Boil your plain macaroni noodles til fully cooked, drain and rinse them with cold water, and put them in a dishpan or other container. Add some kitchen utensils and measuring cups, and let your little one go wild!
ABRACADABRA: Noodle Sensory Bin

The materials (I cooked about half a box of macaroni which made more than enough!)

Feeling the macaroni

Putting noodles in the muffin tin

This bin kept the little man happy and busy for over 30 minutes. Win!

Trying to pour it all out...

Whoa, Macaroni!

Shoveling them in...turns out maybe he does like the taste after all