Sort by shape or color and store in plastic baggies. To use allow child to glue colored pasta on construction paper in a variety of patterns and shapes. Construction paper can be cut into shapes as well. Allow to dry and hang. Use an eggbeater to whip ups some big suds.
Kids love to blow into the water with a straw to make really big bubbles.
Food coloring can be added to the water for effect. Most kids will only suck up the water once - once they do they likely won't do it again. If the dough is a little dry add water a little at a time. Make a ball of dough then flatten it to about a one inch thickness in the shape of a circle. Press the hand or the foot or a shell, a leaf or other object into the dough to make an imprint.