Taste Safe Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are a wonderful way to keep your kiddo engaged and entertained. But what do you do when your children are putting everything and everything in their mouths?!
Taste safe sensory bins are what! Letting them expand and explore the world through touch while not being worried if they put it in their little mouths.
Here are 15 ideas for taste safe sensory bins your kids will love!
Jello:
Jello is such a simple and taste safe sensory bin to try. You can either make jello from a box or make water and gelatin together. You can also dye the plain gelatin mixture. It is not tasty but it is totally taste safe!
Make blue jello, grab some toy sea creatures and make a ocean sensory bin! Once the jello is solidified, you can also add crushed graham cracker or cheerios to half of it to mimic a beach.
Then allow your kids to have at it and play!
Chickpea foam:
This is an easy one, and so much fun. Whip some of the juice out of a chickpea can in your KitchenAid until it creates a foam. You may add some dye into the foam to make it a different or fit a theme.
Let them scoop, or even add toys to it. It is a very simple clean up as it is just chickpeas and so so fun!
Chia Seeds:
Chia seeds are so healthy for you, but such an interesting texture. Let your little ones explore their world by playing. Your kids will have fun with this slimy, strange sensory bin.
This bin also only takes two ingredients. Chia seeds and water! It does need some prep time. Add 1 cup of water to every 1/4th cup of chia seeds for a taste safe AND healthy sensory bin.
For an added touch add food dye while you mix the water and chia seeds together. Then let sit for at least two hours to allow it to thicken.
Frosting Playdoh:
This is another simple one with just two ingredients. I would not say it is healthy by any means. It is straight sugar. When we made it, I told my kids to not eat it and reminded them several times that it was yucky.
The ingredients are just frosting and powdered sugar. Mix a can of frosting with powdered sugar until it is not sticky. Dye if you so desire. Then give it to the kids with some spoons and sprinkles for a ice cream fun day.
Oatmeal:
You can cook the oatmeal or just allow the kids to play with it raw. This is a perfect fall sensory bin, add some painted read chickpeas and cinnamon sticks for a fall scented sensory bin!
Give the kiddos some cupcake holders to make “pies” out of the sensory bins, or pretend the red chickpeas are apples and pluck them out of the oatmeal.
Cooked Couscous:
Allowing your kiddo to play with cooked couscous will definitely be a fun time. Get ready for some squishy fun!
Another one where if they eat it, it’s actually healthy for them! What could be better am I right?
Smashed Graham Crackers/ Cheerios:
This texture will mimic sand for your little one to explore and play with. You can always add this one to the jello to create a beach theme.
Another easy one to add toys, scoops, or even other textures to mess with.
Rice:
Rice is a classic sensory bin. Easy to scoop and pour. Now raw uncooked rice won’t taste good.
But it’s safe for them if they do put it in their mouth. Rice is also another bin that’s easy to dye or add paint to. Changing the colors will add extra fun elements for them to use their creativity with.
Pudding:
Use chocolate pudding and add animals or cars to make taste safe mud.
Kids love to play with mud already so taste safe mud that isn’t difficult to clean up. Win win.
Dried/cooked pasta:
Dried or cooked pasta makes a fantastic sensory bin. Cooked spaghetti will be a blast to play with.
Dried pasta may be easier to clean up due to being able to sweep up. While cooked may be a little harder to clean. But just as fun.
Water and fruit:
Add fresh or frozen fruit to a bowl of water and let them splash or scoop away.
Have them scoop out berries or even freeze some strawberries and watermelon for them to mess with.
Yogurt:
This one is fantastic for little kids and babies. They love to eat with their hands and letting them go ham with a food that is tasty and easy to eat.
Yogurt is also a great food to introduce utensils with. Add in spoons, forks, or even a spatula for them.
Tapioca:
Another crazy texture to mess with. You can always leave it uncooked or cook it.
It will have a more interesting texture cooked for them to play with.
Cereal:
Let them scoop, smash, or even string cereal for an entertaining time. Fruit loops, cheerios, Apple Jacks are all cereal that you can string.
Stringing cereal like beads will also help fine motor skills! Another win win.
Oobleck:
Seriously what is cooler than oobleck?? Liquid and a solid?
Dye it different colors if you want or add toys and utensils. Or don’t and just play with this wonder with your hands!