Water Bottle Shaker for Baby

A small empty water bottle (the smaller the easier for baby to grip)

Dry rice or small pasta

Strong tape — duct tape or packing tape to seal the lid securely

Take a clean, empty small water bottle and fill it about one-quarter full with dry rice or small pasta.

Seal the cap tightly and wrap tape around the lid several times for extra security. This is critical — the lid must not come open.

Sit with your baby and shake the bottle gently near one ear, then the other. Watch their eyes follow the sound.

Place the shaker in your baby's hands and help them grip it. A small bottle is easier for little hands.

Shake the bottle and sing a familiar song, encouraging your baby to shake along with you.

Try tilting the bottle slowly back and forth so your baby can watch and hear the rice shift inside.

Shake fast, then slow, narrating the tempo: "Fast fast fast! Now slooow."

Always supervise closely with this toy, even though the lid is taped. Check the seal before every play session.

Try different fillings for different sounds: rice makes a soft shh-shh, dried beans are louder, and small pasta makes a clicking sound.

Add a few drops of food coloring to the rice before filling for a visual element that catches baby's eye.

For very young babies, you do the shaking while they watch and listen. Around 5-6 months, most babies can grip and shake on their own.

Make two shakers with different fillings so you and baby each have one. Instant jam session.