Taste-safe Sensory Play Recipes for Babies

These taste-safe sensory recipes are perfect for babies 6 months + (or recommended weaning age/stage) who are exploring textures and learning through touch. They’re designed to complement the play activities in our early childhood play series, which you can read here on the Everyday website.

Always supervise your baby or child closely during sensory play and remember: these activities are ‘taste safe’ not ‘edible’ meaning they’re okay if a small amount is ingested but are not to be eaten in large quantities.

Puffy Paint

How to Make

Mix 1 tablespoon of self-raising flour, 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of water until you reach a paint-like consistency. Add a few drops of food colouring and mix again.

How to Play

Let your baby explore with their hands, fingers or safe tools on a high chair tray, baking paper or a washable surface. This paint is safe if they accidentally taste it while exploring.

What You’ll Need

• Self-raising flour

• Salt

• Water

• Food colouring

Puffy paint is taste safe for weaned babies

Taste-Safe Sand

How to Make

Mix 4 cups of flour with ½ cup of oil until it reaches a sandy texture.

How to Play

Pop it in a shallow container for your baby to squish, scoop and feel. It’s soft, malleable and safe for little mouths.

What You’ll Need

• 4 cups flour

• ½ cup oil

• Shallow container

Taste safe sand recipe is fun to explore at any age

Sensory Bottles

How to Make

Combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup of baby-safe oil in a clear bottle. Add glitter, sequins or small safe objects and secure the lid tightly.

How to Play

Shake, roll or watch the glitter float and swirl. Babies enjoy tracking movement while developing focus and early visual skills.

What You’ll Need

• Clear plastic bottle with lid

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup baby-safe oil

• Glitter, sequins, or small objects

Sensory bottles can be filled with different resources and objects

Coloured Rice

How to Make

Put uncooked rice in a plastic tub, add a few drops of food colouring and a little white vinegar, then shake until evenly coated. Spread on kitchen roll to dry before play.

How to Play

Once dry, your baby can scoop, pour, and explore the coloured rice safely. Great for developing fine motor skills and introducing early sensory experiences.

What You’ll Need

• Uncooked rice

• Food colouring

• White vinegar

• Plastic tub/bottle with secured lid

Uncooked rice dyed with food colouring

These taste-safe recipes are designed to complement sensory play activities and encourage exploration, creativity and early learning in a safe and enjoyable way. Please ensure your baby is closely supervised during all activities.

Find more ways to play with your baby here.

Hi, I’m Emma, Early Childhood Expert and founder of Everyday. My goal is simple: help parents understand their children better, so connection deepens, guidance becomes clearer and every stage feels a little brighter. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the extraordinary - it’s about the everyday.