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Instructions for Moon Sand Mixing

Moon sand is a popular children's play material that is slightly pliable and easy to use for building. The mixture is like a cross between play sand and play dough. You can buy moon sand at most toy stores, but if you want to save money, try mixing your own moon sand at home. Kids will not only enjoy playing with the sand, but they get the added bonus of learning how to make their own play material. You can get the materials to make play sand at general merchandise stores, hardware stores and even from your grocery store.

Things You'll Need

Large plastic tub
Five pounds cornstarch
Seven cups cold water
10 pounds of fine play sand
Colander or strainer
Food coloring

Instructions

- 1
  Pour five pounds of cornstarch into a large plastic tub, such as a plastic storage container. You can buy cornstarch in one pound boxes at any grocery store.
- 2
  Pour seven cups of cold water in with the cornstarch and mix with your hands until it is smooth and free of lumps.
- 3
  Sift any small pebbles out of the sand with a colander or strainer if you can't find fine play sand. The sand should feel smooth in your hands without any coarse rocks.
- 4
  Add one pound of fine sand to the cornstarch mixture and use your hands to mix it.
- 5
  Mix in the rest of the sand one pound at a time until all of the sand is incorporated into the cornstarch mixture. The sand should be just barely wet.
- 6
  Add additional water to moisten the sand if needed.
- 7
  Divide one-pound portions of the moon sand into smaller buckets with lids.
- 8
  Add drops of food coloring to change the color and mix until all the sand is colored. This is an excellent activity to teach kids about mixing colors to create new colors.
- 9
  Store with a tight-fitting lid between uses.
- 10
  Add a small amount of water to revive the moon sand if it seems dry the next time you play with it.

Childrens Toys