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Remember when I tried to make WABA Kinetic Sand and ended up creating Borax-Free Slime Dough a few weeks back? Well while we were on vacation, I got to see and touch some Living Sand
(which I think is a similar product). It was SO COOL! It was super fluffy and soft and reminded me so much of Cloud Dough. Anyway, I was determined to try making some sand that at least felt the same - and that's how I came up with this Beach Sand Cloud Dough. Though it feels nearly identical to me, I am sad to say that it does not behave the same as Living Sand. Bummer, right? I think there must be something crazy that they do to the sand since both Kinetic Sand and Living Sand are quite pricey. Sigh.
(which I think is a similar product). It was SO COOL! It was super fluffy and soft and reminded me so much of Cloud Dough. Anyway, I was determined to try making some sand that at least felt the same - and that's how I came up with this Beach Sand Cloud Dough. Though it feels nearly identical to me, I am sad to say that it does not behave the same as Living Sand. Bummer, right? I think there must be something crazy that they do to the sand since both Kinetic Sand and Living Sand are quite pricey. Sigh.
Buuuut, our Beach Sand Cloud Dough is moldable, and the fluffiest lightest and smoothest sand we've played with. So we still love it. :)
I set up an invitation for S to play with a dish full of our Beach Sand Cloud Dough and a container of sea glass (the sea glass we'd used to make our Giant Beach and Ocean World) and some shells (the larger of which were involved in our Baby Beach Sensory Bin with Edible Sand). What can I say? We've been feeling beachy around here - ha!
Just like regular Cloud Dough, the Beach Sand Cloud Dough is moldable, despite being dry to the touch.
S just loved the feel of the fluffy and light sand. She created a large mound and decorated it with several shells and sea glass pieces before declaring she needed some "guys"!
We added some sea creatures from our Safari Ltd Ocean TOOB and lots of storytelling and home-making ensued.
I even got a (short) turn to make some sandcastles. :)
To make your own Beach Sand Cloud Dough, combine:
1 cup sand and 1 cup flour and mix thoroughly. Once well combined add 4 tablespoons of baby oil. You can double or triple the recipe as you see fit!
Make sure you mix the baby oil in throughly (little hands are REALLY good at the mixing). It should be dry and crumbly, but hold its shape when squeezed/pressed together. If it's too wet, add more sand/flour; if it's too dry and not moulding, add a touch more baby oil. This dough will keep for weeks, if not months. It just needs to be stored in an airtight manner.
This recipe is definitely NOT edible, but don't worry! If your child is still tasting things, we have a Beach Sensory Tub with Edible Sand and we also have a Baby-Safe Cloud Dough Recipe.
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All activities here are activities I feel are safe for my own children. As your child's parents/guardians, you will need to decide what you feel is safe for your family. I always encourage contacting your child's pediatrician for guidance if you are not sure about the safety/age appropriateness of an activity. All activities on this blog are intended to be performed with adult supervision. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when activities call for the use of materials that could potentially be harmful, such as scissors, or items that could present a choking risk (small items), or a drowning risk (water activities), and with introducing a new food/ingredient to a child (allergies). Observe caution and safety at all times. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any of these activities on this blog.
Looks so fun! Where did you get the sand?
ReplyDeleteThanks, dmsmith! We used the same sand we used to make our Giant Ocean World - they sell big 50 lb bags at hardware stores around here for $3.99. It's called Play Sand and it's next to the concrete section! :)
DeleteWe made a similar recipe recently but we did not try it with baby oil! I'll definitely have to give it a try and see how it comes out. I think my kids would love it. :)
ReplyDeleteThe baby oil works super well! I hope they love it! :)
DeleteI was told at a toy store that Kinetic Sand has polymers in it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think you are right, Tori B! Must be why I can't replicate it. Boo. It's really cool stuff!
DeleteHow did you get your sand to look dark gray in color instead of white?
ReplyDeleteWe used Play Sand from a home improvement store...it's just naturally that color!
DeleteDoes the sand stick to the hands? I like how the kinetic sand doesn't stick.
ReplyDeleteIt does stick a little, yes. I know what you mean - I LOVE kinetic sand. I so wish I could figure out how to make it myself!!!!!
DeleteI recently saw this Kinetic Sand at the local kid's museum. So after finding your recipe for homemade(cheaper) version with oil, I started googling. This 2% magic(Polydimethyl siloxane) seems to be also called DIMETHICONE( as per Wikipedia), which may already be in your bathroom. It's used in hair products...shampoos, conditioners and my favorite....ant-frizz products! My hair dresser told me about dimethicone YEARS ago and I've found it in TONS of products for hair and skin, so no pricey name brands needed. Just read your labels in the hair product aisle, especially the frizz free products. I'm wondering if this would work with the sand???
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm cautious on using any old play sand. After recently purchasing a sand box and finding out about colored sand from Crayola, I also learned about other sands containing respirable/crystalline silica and/or asbestos!!! There are a few others that will be comparable to being "safer", there's tons of information on which sand is better or safer for you. I liked the Crayola for it's colors, being safer and cheaper on sale at Walmart!
Thanks for sharing your project and spiffy sand castle!
Good research!!! Yes, I bought a bottle of that chemical and mixed it with sand - but no dice. I'm not sure why it didn't work, but it deeeeefinitely did not. And I agree about sand, though in this case, I rinsed it before use and with the added oil it wasn't dusty at all (the dust is the stuff you need to worry about). Having said that though, I'm all for using safer sand if you can afford them!
DeleteI kiddy made a version of this. I just put food coloring in the oil then mixed it in. But mine called for 1 cup of oil ans differ measurements
DeleteHi Asia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for such an inspiring blog! I want to try all of your projects!
I have a chemistry question for you. I am making a version of this sand with just sand, corn starch and water. Can I sub some of the water I use with white vinegar to keep bacteria and mold at bay? Will it be safe to do that? How would you suggest storing this?How long will this store since the corn starch is a food item?
THANKS FOR YOU HELP!
It won't really work with water or vinegar...is there a reason you can't use oil? We haven't had trouble with it spoiling - we just keep it in an airtight container when not in use. Our has lasted over a year. :)
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