30+ Easy Taste Safe Sensory Bins for Babies & Toddlers - Happy Toddler Playtime (2024)

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Looking for taste safe sensory bins for your baby or toddler? You have come to the right place! Here is a collection of amazing taste safe Sensory Bins that you can do with your baby aged 12 months, 15 months or 18 months and up.

Sensory Bins for Babies and Toddlers

Learning starts when all the senses are engaged. Here is a list of the best taste safe sensory bins you can do with your little baby or toddler from 12 months, 15 months, 18 months and up.

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Finding sensory bins that are appropriate for your 12 month old can be challenging. And finding ideas for even younger babies can be even more challenging. It is perhaps the number one question I get from parents – “Do you have any sensory bin ideas for babies as young as 9 months?”.

RELATED… 50+ Baby Activities for 3- 15 Month Olds

Although, these ideas are best done with babies 12 months and older they can be adapted for younger babies. I did them with my twins when they were as young as 10 months. However, I kept a very very very close eye on them but they absolutely loved them!

Why Taste Safe

When I did sensory bins with my 1 year olds, I never encouraged them to eat the sensory bin filler. One of my rules for sensory bin play is no eating, however, when doing sensory bins with young children putting things into their mouth is how they learn about their environment. It’s going to happen. It is our job to let them know what is safe and what isn’t safe to put in their mouth. The idea behind using taste safe sensory bin fillers for 1 year olds is not to let them eat the filler but so that they can be safe if some happens to get into their mouth.

READ MORE…

Sensory Bins with Babies

Generally, what happened when I played with these types of sensory activities with my toddlers is that they played with the filler first, feeling it in their hands dropping it, smushing it, scooping it, then testing it in their mouths. When this happened I would gently remind them that we don’t eat the sensory bin filler and redirect them to something else. If it continued, I gently reminded them again, and again and again. This process will take a long time, just like learning a new skill, but it will come once they mature. It is continues and no amount of redirection helps, its time to move on to another activity!

Another tip is to set up sensory bin play like this after a snack or lunch or nap when your 1 year old is full and content.

READ MORE… 21+ 2-INGREDIENT SENSORY PLAY RECIPES

REMEMBER ADULT SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES WHILE DOING ACTIVITIES BUT ESPECIALLY WITH BABY TODDLERS.

This list is separated into two parts. The first section shares taste safe sensory play recipes ideal for babies and toddlers. You can use these recipes to create taste safe sensory bins for your baby or toddler.

The second section shares taste safe sensory bin ideas for babies and toddlers.

Taste Safe Recipes for Babies and Toddlers

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  • Taste-Safe Playdough Recipe for Babies and Toddlers
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  • How to Make Taste-Safe Kinetic Sand
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  • How to Make Oobleck for Kids
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  • How to Make Apple Pie Oobleck for Fall
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  • Taste Safe Sensory Bin Happy Toddler Playtime
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Sensory Bins for Babies and Toddlers

  • Rainbow Pouring Station Sensory Bin for Kids
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  • Easy Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin
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  • Under the Sea Sensory Bin by Happy Toddler Playtime
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  • Cereal Sensory Bin by Happy Toddler Playtime
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  • Frozen Vegetable Sensory Bin by Happy Toddler Playtime
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  • Rock Soup Sensory Bin by Happy Toddler Playtime
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  • by Happy Toddler Playtime
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  • Spring Sensory Bin by Happy Toddler Playtime
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  • Simple Christmas Sensory Bin for Babies by Happy Toddler Playtime
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  • Baby Valentines Sensory Bin by Happy Toddler Playtime
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  • Snow Kitchen Sensory Bin – Happy Toddler Playtime
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  • Vegetable Soup Bath Happy Toddler Playtime
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Age Suitability

These sensory bins are good for babies and toddlers aged children 12 months old and up. My kids are 5, 5 and 8 years old.

Mess Level

The mess level for these sensory activities varies.

Difficulty to Create

Low to medium.

Skill Development Opportunities

Sensory bins are great for Colour Recognition, Language and Vocabulary Development, Hand-Eye Coordination, Fine Motor Skills, Problem Solving, Emotional Development, Trial & Error, Visual Perception, Cognitive Development, Imaginative and Sensory Play.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit mydisclosure policyfor more information.

(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit mydisclosure policyfor more information.

for Curious Toddlers

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlersincludes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschoolwhich includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years.That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!

Thesetoddler and preschool lesson plans and activitieswill definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

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Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book:Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more informationExciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy atAmazon.

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

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Book:Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.

Find out more and grab your copyhere.

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

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Book:Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast?The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.

  • 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
  • Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
  • Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 yearsold and up.

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TV Show:Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to finally share my new crafting TV showCurious Craftingwhich launched July 1 at onTVOkidsandTVOkids YouTube!

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.

WILL YOU TRY ONE OF THESE TASTE SAFE SENSORY BINS WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE? Pin it for Later!

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FAQs

What age should you start sensory bins? ›

At the toddler stage, from ages 2 to 3, kids are typically ready to engage with more toys. A great place to start are sensory bins—literally, a bin or box filled with various materials meant to stimulate the senses.

Are sensory bins safe for toddlers? ›

Short answer: yes. Creating sensory bins for toddlers allows them to build skills and understanding through play-based, hands-on learning. Sensory bins are easy, in-expensive, and effective for supporting toddler in their growth and development – but (spoiler alert) they don't have to be messy to be fun.

What age is sensory play for? ›

From birth, children are ready for sensory play. Children are natural explorers – they're constantly learning and taking in what's around them. Sensory activities can be adapted for different ages, needs and abilities.

Are sensory bins good for autism? ›

Sensory bins are growing in popularity—and for good reason! Parents are realizing sensory play is crucial toward enhancing child development. Sensory play is great for neurotypical children and children with sensory processing disorder and autism.

Are sensory bins good for babies? ›

Benefits of Sensory Bins

A sensory bin gives kids an opportunity to engage in dump-and-fill, hide-and-seek type of play, which helps develop their cognitive skills for learning, says Keriann Wilmot, OTR, a pediatric occupational therapist and play expert. Fine motor skills.

What toys are not appropriate for toddlers? ›

Watch for Toy Dangers
  • Sharp edges and sharp points. Toys for older children may have sharp points or edges that can hurt a small child. ...
  • Small toys and toys with small parts. ...
  • Loud noises. ...
  • Cords and strings. ...
  • Toys that fly or shoot objects. ...
  • Electric toys. ...
  • Toys with magnets.

What do kids do with sensory bins? ›

Sensory bins provide children with the opportunity to explore and learn through hands-on tactile play that engages their senses. These bins encourage and support various types of development and are great activities to have in your home.

Do toddlers need sensory play? ›

Sensory play has an important role in your child's development. Not only does it help your child engage their five senses—sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—but it also boosts their language skills and motor skills. Sensory play also promotes exploration, creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving.

Is uncooked rice safe to play with toddlers? ›

On many forums and groups, practitioners use dried rice in play which is plain or coloured. We have been advised that we remove rice from our provision for all ages as it is not suitable for any child to play with due to the potential risks it can present.

What is pluffle? ›

Playfoam Pluffle is a range of sensory toys for kids that's perfect for tactile, creative play. When children touch, grab and squish this feelgood fluffy stuff, they get to grips with fine motor skills. Playfoam Pluffle's slow motion lava-like flowing action is mesmerising to watch.

What is a homemade sensory bin? ›

Lay out a sheet, tablecloth or towel. Not only does this protect the floor, but it makes cleanup much easier. Fill the bin or bowl with dry pasta, rice or beans. Add spoons, scoops, toys and whatever else you have on hand into the bin. Play!

What are the 5 sensory play? ›

In this article, we'll give you some ideas to help early learners explore their sense of touch, sight, smell, sound and taste. While of course we know there are more than five senses, these are the easiest ones to set up inside a classroom. So we'll keep things simple and stick with those.

Do all kids need sensory play? ›

Sensory play is more than just fun and games. It's a vital component of childhood development. The rich neural pathways formed through sensory play facilitate learning and growth in all children, regardless of their neurotype.

How do I start sensory play? ›

It's simple for children to enjoy sensory play when you create a sensory bin for them to explore. To create a sensory bin, simply fill a small tub or container with objects from nature such as leaves, rocks, and sand that have different textures for your little one to explore.

Is sensory play good for 3 year olds? ›

Builds Fine Motor Skills

Whether your child is squishing modeling clay, finger painting, or sorting blocks, sensory play is essential in building fine motor skills. Babies and young children need a lot of practice to build these skills, and incorporating sensory play is a great way to do so!

Are sensory bins Montessori? ›

While not technically Montessori, you can find sensory bins in many Montessori classrooms.

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