TinyStepper
Child poking at a large ice block with colourful toys frozen inside

Shake and Rattle Play

Shake sealed containers filled with rice or pasta to make rhythmic sounds.

Activity details

12m–2y7 minsmediumindoorMusical InstrumentsPlastic ContainersRice or Pasta

Instructions

Get ready
  • Fill several plastic containers with different materials: rice, pasta, beans
  • Seal each container tightly with tape so it cannot open
  1. Fill several plastic containers with different materials: rice, pasta, beans
  2. Seal each container tightly with tape so it cannot open
  3. Hand one container to your child and shake one yourself
  4. Listen together: 'This one sounds loud! This one sounds soft'
  5. Shake to the beat of a familiar song
  6. Try shaking fast, then slow, then in a pattern
  7. Let them hold two at once, one in each hand
  8. Always check that lids remain secure throughout play

Parent tip

Set out musical instruments and plastic containers before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Toddler sitting back from a sensory tray looking calm and satisfied after focused play

What success looks like

Watch for focused exploration — fingers digging in, pouring back and forth, or sorting by feel. Even a few minutes of this builds concentration.

Shaking homemade rattles engages multiple senses: sound varies with intensity, contents shift visually inside containers, and vibrations travel through little hands. This multi-sensory loop strengthens neural connections supporting auditory processing and motor coordination. Experimenting with fill materials and shaking speeds introduces early scientific thinking.

Why it helps

Shaking homemade rattles engages multiple senses — sound varies with intensity, contents shift visually, and vibrations travel through little hands. This multi-sensory loop strengthens neural connections supporting auditory processing and motor coordination. The EYFS framework encourages sensory-rich play as a natural way for children to explore the world and make sense of new textures, sounds, and sensations.

Variations

  • Fill containers with different amounts of the same material to hear pitch differences.
  • Shake along to different songs and try to match the rhythm.
  • Play a guessing game: shake two containers and ask which is louder.

Safety tips

  • Seal container lids with strong tape so they cannot open during play.
  • Check containers regularly to ensure they remain sealed.
  • Use containers that are too large for a child to put in their mouth.

Want to try another?

Banana Smushing

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