Dried Bean Bin Scoop and Transfer

A large bag of dried beans (pinto, navy, or a mix)

A plastic storage bin

Small cups, scoops, and a funnel

Wooden beads or small plastic animals (for hiding)

A towel to catch spillover

Pour a big bag of dried beans into a plastic storage bin — fill it deep enough to bury a hand.

Add scoops, cups, funnels, and a few hidden objects like beads or small animals.

Set the bin on a towel on the floor or at a low table.

Show your toddler how to scoop beans with a cup and pour them into another container.

Demonstrate the funnel — pouring beans through it makes a wonderful rattling sound.

Encourage your toddler to hunt for hidden objects buried in the beans.

Step back and let them explore — scooping, pouring, and burying their hands.

Dried beans are a choking hazard. Supervise closely and choose this activity only when your toddler is no longer putting everything in their mouth.

For younger toddlers who still mouth, swap beans for large pom poms or crumpled tissue paper.

The cascading sound of beans pouring through a funnel is incredibly satisfying and worth the cleanup.

Add a few dump trucks or construction vehicles for a building-site theme.

Store the bean bin sealed — it lasts for months and gets pulled out again and again.