Halloween Sensory Spaghetti = Epic Sensory Play

Halloween sensory spaghetti is a total show-stopper (and surprisingly easy to make!). Your kids will beg you to make this year after year.

Orange, lime green, and purple cooked spaghetti noodles are layered next to each other.

Halloween sensory spaghetti is pasta-tively amazing

These are three words you never imagined going together before, but ohhh they go together in the most perfect way.

In the voice of Joey Tribiani…

Halloween? Good.

Sensory? Good.

Spaghetti? Good.

Halloween sensory spaghetti? SO, SO, SO GOOD.

Related: Our GIANT 10-foot Halloween banner is a hit for Halloween fun!

A mix of colorful cooked spaghetti noodles are swirled together with googly eyes sprinkled in.

Why you should try Halloween sensory spaghetti

This activity is easy to make, it doesn’t cost much, and you likely have all the ingredients you’ll need.

If you don’t have all the materials, they’re at your local grocery store (and are inexpensive).

Halloween sensory spaghetti is colorful, squishy, smooth, dazzling, and loaded with tactile and fine motor exploration.

Materials

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Spaghetti noodles – or, use whatever shape pasta you have
Liquid watercolors orfood coloring
Vegetable oil
Water
Stove
Pot

Three colors of Halloween sensory spaghetti sitting next to each other (orange, lime green, and purple)

Directions

Making Halloween sensory spaghetti is so much fun.

NOTE: Some steps involve the stove, hot water, etc., and those are only for adults to do.

1. Boil water and add a generous amount of liquid watercolors or food dye. Add in pasta and cook following the directions on the package.

2. Drain pasta and rinse with cool water (don’t worry, the color won’t rinse off). Wait until the pasta is cool to the touch and safe for kids’ hands.

3. Pour your cooled pasta into a shallow container and add a tiiiiny amount of vegetable oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together.

4. Play! Invite your kids to hold, swirl, mix, scoop, and play with the incredible sensory spaghetti.

TIP: Store your spaghetti in a zippered plastic bag in the refrigerator when it’s not in use, and it will last for a few days.

Colorful halloween sensory spaghetti sits in a shallow container while a hand pulls orange spaghetti and cuts it with kid scissors.

What can you do with sensory spaghetti?

There are TONS of ways to elevate your play.

Googly Eyes: It makes the play feel a little spooky, and (my favorite part) it adds a fun sound to the spaghetti. When kids lift and shake the spaghetti, the little googly eyes make a fun, silly sound.

Add props: Think of small Halloween trinkets like eyeball ping pong balls, spider rings, mini witch brooms, mini plastic bones, etc.

Scissors: Learning to use scissors is an essential skill for young learners, and cutting cooked pasta is fantastic.

Related: Make scissor practice more fun by trying one of these nine things for kids to cut beyond paper.

A hand holds a mix of colorful cooked spaghetti noodles.

Halloween sensory spaghetti is where it’s at

It will be an instant hit and a fun activity to do every Halloween.

Have fun!

FAQ

How long does the cooked spaghetti last for?

I store mine in a zippered plastic bag in the refrigerator for a few days in between uses.

What age is this activity recommended for?

Any that can safely use the materials (and kids who do not have gluten allergies)

Is it okay for kids to play with food?

The answer usually depends on the population that you serve and are working with. When I worked for Head Start (the federally funded program for children whose families qualify for low income), I did not use food in the classroom. When working with kids who are food secure, food can be a fantastic learning tool and experience.

Looking for more Halloween activities? Check these out: