Homemade Moon Sand: A Fun Sensory Activity for kids.
Making moon sand is a fantastic way to keep kids entertained and engaged in sensory play. It’s surprisingly simple, requiring only two ingredients with an optional step to enhance safety!
Ingredients:
Play Sand (for colored sand, not taste-safe)
Cornstarch (not taste-safe)
Vegetable Oil, Canola Oil, Olive Oil, or Liquid Coconut Oil (for taste-safe moon sand)
Baby Oil (not taste-safe, but a good alternative)
Instructions:
Optional Step: Baking the Flour (for Extra Caution)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it preheats, spread out 8 cups of flour on a baking sheet.
Bake the flour for 5 minutes to kill any potentially harmful bacteria.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the flour to cool completely before making your moon sand.
Main Steps:
In a large bowl, combine the cooled flour (or unbaked flour if you skipped the optional step) and baby oil (or your chosen taste-safe oil).
Mix well using a dough blender or spoon until everything is thoroughly combined.
The ideal consistency should allow you to mold the sand while still feeling slightly crumbly.
Playing with Moon Sand:
Space Adventure: Spread the moon sand on a tray and add star and planet shaped cookie cutters. Let your child explore the lunar landscape!
Sensory Fun: Fill a tub with the moon sand and add measuring cups, spoons, molds, and other interesting objects. This is a great way to work on gross motor skills.
Animal Encounters: Create a zoo scene with animal figurines!
Dino Days: For the dinosaur enthusiast, build a prehistoric world with dinosaur toys and plants.
Tips:
Solid coconut oil isn’t recommended as it can solidify the moon sand.
Store your moon sand in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Additional Notes:
Baking the flour is an optional step for added safety, especially if you’re concerned about young children putting the moon sand in their mouths.
Mixing can take some time. Be patient and keep working the mixture until it reaches the desired consistency.
Moon sand is a versatile and fun sensory activity that will keep your kids entertained for hours!
