DIY: Kinetic Sand Recipe | Tinkerer Box Blog

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Kinetic Sand Recipe

Stem Activities

Ages: 3-5

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Want to know how to make safe and eco-friendly kinetic sand? Using just 4 common household ingredients including salt and cornflour, you can create soft, mouldable sand that provides hours of sensory play.

Materials Needed

Glass bowl
Measuring cup
Tablespoon
Spoon
Cornflour
Salt
Food colouring
Baby oil (or cooking oil)
Laundry detergent
Plate

An assortment of ingredients and tools are laid out on a light woodgrain table, suggesting preparation for baking or a science experiment. A large clear glass bowl sits to the left. In the center, a white rectangular tray holds several smaller clear glass bowls containing what appears to be flour, sugar, and water. Two small bottles of red and yellow food coloring are also on the tray. To the left of the tray are a set of black measuring spoons and a cream-colored mixing spoon. The overhead view presents all items clearly, giving the impression of organized preparation.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Add 1 cup of cornflour and 3 cups of salt to the bowl.

A hand holds a black measuring cup containing white powder, likely flour or sugar, over a clear glass bowl on a light woodgrain surface. The bowl already contains some of the white powder. The image suggests baking or cooking preparation. A plain off-white background keeps the focus on the action.

Step 2

Mix the cornflour and salt thoroughly with a spoon.

A clear glass bowl containing a white powder, likely flour or cornstarch, is being mixed with a small amount of liquid using a cream-colored spatula. A hand holds the spatula, stirring the mixture. The bowl sits on a light woodgrain table, and a plain off-white background keeps the focus on the process. The image suggests baking, cooking, or a science experiment involving mixing ingredients.

Step 3

Add 2 tablespoons of baby oil and 4 tablespoons of laundry detergent to the mixed ingredients.

A hand pours a clear liquid from a small, black measuring spoon into a clear glass bowl containing a white powder, likely flour or cornstarch. The bowl sits on a light woodgrain table. The scene suggests a step in a recipe or a science experiment where ingredients are being combined. A plain, off-white background keeps the focus on the action.

Step 4

Add drops of food colouring and mix the contents thoroughly with a spoon. Your kinetic sand is now basically ready. Note that if the sand feels too dry, you can adjust by adding another tablespoon of laundry detergent.

A clear glass bowl filled with a crumbly, light pink mixture sits on a light woodgrain table. A cream-colored spoon is being used to mix the contents, and a hand is visible holding the spoon. The image suggests a baking or cooking process, perhaps involving dyed sugar or a similar ingredient. A plain, off-white background keeps the focus on the bowl and its contents.

Step 5

Pour the finished kinetic sand onto the plate.

A white rectangular tray contains a layer of predominantly white powder with streaks of light pink mixed in. The tray rests on a light woodgrain surface. The image suggests a baking or cooking process, perhaps involving dyed sugar, flour, or a similar ingredient being prepared or spread out.

Step 6

Time to play!

A hand uses a butter knife or small spatula to cut into a circle of light pink dough or mixture that is dusted with a similar light pink powder. The mixture and powder rest on a white surface. The scene suggests a baking or cooking activity.

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