Bring the Beach Home: DIY Kinetic Sand

With summer just around the corner, what could be better than a trip to the beach? If you love the beach but can’t make it to the sunny shores, bring the beach home with our DIY kinetic sand activity! Kinetic sand is a special type of sand that is moldable like clay yet still silky like sand. This combination makes it fun for both kids and adults! Note that kinetic sand can get messy—take it outside for worry-free play and a splash of sunshine! Dive into our kinetic sand activity, and get ready for hours of sensory fun.

Learn how to make kinetic sand with this activity from Little Passports

Supplies:

Large bowl
2 cups fine sand or cornmeal
1 cup cornstarch
½ cup oil

Instructions:

Step one: In a large bowl, mix sand and cornstarch together.
Step two: Add oil one tablespoon at a time, mixing as you go. Keep adding oil until you reach your desired consistency.
Step three: Play! Store kinetic sand in an airtight container.

Play Prompts:

Take turns burying small toys or figurines and see who can dig them up the fastest
Have a contest to see who can create the funniest beach scene
Build a sandcastle
Sculpt your favorite foods

If your child loves hands-on activities, check out our Science Junior (ages 5-8) or Science Expeditions (ages 8+) subscriptions for more fantastic experiments and projects! Shop here.