Safe dried grasses and hays for foraging?

[Lullx]

So, good news is that Nephele comes home next week! I'm so very excited and relieved that the time is nearly here. I wasn't expecting her to be ready for another 3-4 weeks, so I was caught off guard a bit, and haven't quite finished preparing for her yet!

I want to give her a foraging box that she can dig around in safely. I was planning on filling a cat litter pan (or something similar) with some sort of dried material that she can dig and root through for toys and treats, and just for fun.

I was wondering if you would suggest using any dried grasses or hays?
If not, what sorts of materials can I get to mimic the effect of dried grass and hay? I'm drawing a bit of a blank, other than shredded paper (I don't own a mechanical paper shredder to make the strips), and maybe crinkle paper.

Also, any ideas on activities for baby greys? I'm always looking for new things to try with my flock
I want her to get comfortable with playing on the floor, so unique things that I can do with her on a carpet would be amazing and greatly appreciated! We have some things in mind, but I really love hearing what you all have to suggest

 

[Bandespresso]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BB0C9K2/ref=mp_s_a_1_20?qid=1433137369&sr=8-20&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_FMwebp_QL70&keywords=easter+grass&dpPl=1&dpID=51RxFamhgOL&ref=plSrch]Amazon.com: 1/2 LB Crinkle Cut Paper Shred - Light Ivory: Toys & Games[/ame]
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6067+10375+26556&pcatid=26556
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And sand would be fun too if you can find a way to sterilize it! Just be careful because grass and shredded paper can encourage nesting behaviour when Nilly hits maturity.

 

[Christinenc2000]

A friend of mine has a couple Budgerigars. She puts a square of indoor outdoor carpet down for them to forge in. She sprinkles seeds on it and they love it.

 

[Dewfield]

We use a product called "Carefresh" in our cage bottoms. It's a recycled paper pulp product. It comes in small and large bales and you can get it at most larger pet stores. It's safe for birds and they love to forage in it.
We put it about an inch and a half deep in the bottom of the cages. Their poop clings to it so it can be spot cleaned.
It used to only come it "natural" form but now it comes either bleached white or in different colors. I would only use the "natural" (grey) color. It also makes an excellent nesting material.
Dewfield