Making homemade kinetic sand is a great project to do with your kids. It's a fun and creative activity that's especially great on rainy days or when boredom strikes.
Instead of sitting them in front of the television or letting them play video games, why not offer them a stimulating creative activity ?
Among the many projects that children can participate in, creating kinetic sand stands out for its simplicity and its fascinating side. This activity is in line with other creative projects, such as making homemade play dough.
What is kinetic sand?
Kinetic sand is a wonderful, moldable sensory craft. Sensory crafts like kinetic sand can help build fine motor skills in children, and provide a calming creative outlet for kids playing with kinetic sand alone or in social groups.
Kinetic Sand™ is a trademarked brand of toy sand made of sand and silicone. Its unique feature is its ability to be molded and reshaped indefinitely, like beach sand, without ever drying out.
Although it is available in several stores, it is entirely possible to make similar sand with a few common ingredients that you probably already have at home!
If you prefer a ready-made option, take a look at our selection of sensory games, which includes various fascinating textures for your child's tactile development.
How to make your own kinetic sand?
Here are step-by-step instructions to make your own kinetic sand:
Ingredients :
- 2 cups colored sand
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 tablespoon liquid soap
- 1.5 to 2 cups of water
Instructions :
- Check that your sand is dry. If necessary, sift it to remove the larger pieces.
- In a container, carefully mix the sand and cornstarch.
- In another container, mix the soap and water.
- Add 1 cup of the soap solution to the dry mixture and stir well.
- Gradually add the rest of the liquid to the sand, stirring constantly. You may not need all of the water you call for, or you may need to add a little more.
The consistency you want: moist, but not liquid. The sand should be able to hold its shape for a few seconds to a minute. If the mixture is too wet, let it dry out a little or add more sand.
Coloring your homemade kinetic sand
While single-color sand can be fun, it can become boring over time. Feel free to experiment with different colors to make the experience more fun. However, we don't recommend using food coloring, which can stain skin and containers and make the sand look cloudy.
An easier alternative is to use pre-colored sand. You can find this at craft stores and garden centers. The wedding section of craft stores is often a good source, as colored sand is commonly used for unity candle ceremonies.
Pet stores may also offer colored sand in their aquarium section. Some dollar stores also sell it. Don't hesitate to explore different options, you might be surprised by where you can find it!
To make it easier for you, we offer a complete line of craft supplies right here in our online store!
To conclude
Making homemade kinetic sand is a creative and educational activity that will delight young and old alike. Not only does it offer an economical alternative to commercial products, but it also allows you to spend quality time with your family while stimulating your children's imagination.
So, don't hesitate any longer: gather your ingredients and embark on this tactile and colorful adventure that promises hours of play and discovery!
