In honor of Global Kinetic Sand Day on August 11th, I have an easy sand art DIY kinetic sand for you to make and enjoy. Also, look at ideas on my post Desert Sand Art: Day 2 Hands-on Learning (Colors of the Desert).
I have 12 other fun sand art activities.
Summer just gets you thinking about sand and everything that it entails.
So, even if you can’t make it to the beach there are lots of ways to enjoy playing with sand.
We all remember the cool activity of layering sand in a bottle, and we know there are many ways to create art with it.
Kinetic sand is a super fun sensory activity, but that stuff can get crazy expensive.
Making it yourself saves a lot of money and allows you to customize it with fun colors.
Besides the fun of making it, you can then use it for fun layered creations, in sensory bins or trays, and with cookie cutters and mold.
5 Sand Facts
What exactly is sand anyway?
The definition of sand is any material made up of grains within a certain size range. Sugar and salt can qualify as sand.
- The most common material to make up sand is silica, which is made of quartz crystals that have broken down as far as they naturally will.
- Beach sand is silica sand mixed with fragments of coral, shell, and other materials.
- Sand is commonly used in making concrete, glass, mortar, paint, and brick.
- In over 3 dozen deserts around the world, there’s a phenomenon known as “singing sand.” As wind passes over the dunes or when the sand is disturbed, it creates a deep, humming sound. It is believed to be the vibrations of the grains of sand.
- The recommended ratio for the perfect sandcastle is 8:1, that is 8 parts dry sand and 1 part water.
Then, here are some fun art ideas.
12 Easy Sand Art Ideas
Here are 12 more easy sand art activities to try for kids of all ages and their parents.
- I remember having something similar to this Easy Aqua Sand Recipe and it was a blast, like a sand lava lamp that you customize.
- I love the pretty layering in this Colored Sand Art, I also like that it will be a unique art piece every time you make it.
- Desert Sand Art: Day 2 Hands-on Learning (Colors of the Desert).
- We had to include a simple DIY Colored Sand tutorial for you to make your own and do whatever you want with it. It works great with several of the activities here or make up your own ideas.
- Create Sand Castle Sand Art during a beach study, for summer fun, or to mark a family beach trip.
- This Ocean Sand Art For Kids has limitless possibilities to create beautiful ocean scenes with colored sand.
- Faux sand still counts right? Make your own Sand Art With Salt, salt is very inexpensive and easy to find, making it a good alternative to sand.
- Doubling as a pretty art piece and a planter the Rainbow Sand Art Terrarium is a really fun sand art piece.
- How Accurate is a Sand Clock?
- These DIY Sand Art Candles are unique and would make a great handmade gift anytime or a colorful addition to a teen’s bedroom.
- This Glow in The Dark Sand will no doubt be a big hit with everyone for creating sand art.
- Of course, I had to include something tasty, how about this Edible Sand Art Recipe? What a fun party favor or co-op activity this would be.
There are so many good ideas here, unique ways I never thought to use sand to make art.
How to Make DIY Kinetic Sand
You will need:
- 2 cups fine white sand (dollar tree)
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon clear dish soap
- ½ cup white school glue
- Food coloring
First, combine the sand and the cornstarch until thoroughly mixed, I find it is easier to get a better mix when you don’t stir everything in all at once.
Next, stir in dish soap and glue, mixing them in for several minutes until all ingredients are well combined.
Separate sand into as many containers as you would like to make different colors.
Add food coloring until satisfied with the color, we left one natural. A fork makes a great tool for mixing color into the sand.
Spread out the sand in a container as much as you can for drying.
Allow mixture to “dry” for 15-30 minutes until it becomes a texture that is not super sticky and flows well in your hands.
You want to be able to squeeze it into a solid mass that slowly flows out of shape.
Transfer to containers with a lid (or you can use baggies).
Add a tray to keep the mess contained and cookie cutters.
You can press through the kinetic sand with cookie cutters, but it is also fun to lay down the cutter and add sand, watching it “ooze” to fill in the entire space.
Even after the colors become mixed up, it is still a pretty and fun kinetic sand.
Store in a sealable container like a zipper baggie or mason jar with a lid.
