Sensory bin for 1-year old, and a question about markers

uncjules

I like the idea of a sensory bin for DD (think dried beans in a tub, with items of other textures for them to search for). But, I'm wondering if it's a bad idea to have her playing with such tiny beans. She would always be supervised while playing with it, so she should be OK, right?  Other suggestions on what to use to make one, if dried beans aren't the best option?

Also, I've thought about letting DD play with ColorWonder markers and paper to give her something "artsy" to do that wouldn't make a mess. Again, she would always be supervised while using them. Would it be too hard for her to hold those markers? I know Crayola makes "baby markers," but they don't make them as part of the ColorWonder line. (Which makes no sense to me. Who wants to let their one-year-old loose with regular markers?!?)

Any other ideas for fun things to do would be great. I loved the website Racey posted the other day, but many of the crafts are just too advanced (or messy) for DD right now!