sensory bags

When I read the thread title I thought the OP was referring to bags containing different textured objects for dementia patients. You can buy these and blankets with different materials sewn on the same as babies have only larger.
They would make a relatively easy craft project for someone. I'm sure local care homes would be interested.

God luck with your project nannykiss

Reminds me of this josiegransnet recipe. Follows a similar principle with edible results.
www.gransnet.com/recipes/dish/5394-Squidge-and-plop-spaghetti-fritter-recipe

Could sharp baby teeth bite through the plastic?

nanny that's quite a clever concept. I'll give it a bit of thought but I think it can work. It would obviously not be a "toy for keeps" more something to keep a toddler amused for a while.

I had great fun a few years ago with 2 children I was looking after for a day, they were +- 4 and 5 years old. One of the activities we did was took a length of cheap loo paper and we made "glue" out of flour and water, and lightly glued seeds (carrot and tomato if I remember correctly) in the middle of each paper square. It was proudly labelled with their names and presented to mum when she came to pick them up, and later easily planted. The loo paper of course decomposes/disintegrates in the soil and the seeds germinate, perfectly spaced apart.