Are you able to do sensory tray activities without baby eating everything?

The toddler group I took baby to this morning had a little table with tray of sensory things, like dry rice with scoops and seives etc. I had been thinking for a while to make something similar for baby at home but worried he may still try to eat things. Which is what he tried to do at toddler group, so I had to distract him with other toys. He does play most of the time, but will occasionally just shove things in his mouth, so I'm worried things like rice or sand won't be safe. Does anyone's else's baby still do this? And do you have any suggestions? Maybe taste safe options? I seen some on Pinterest with cereal etc