Almost all kids love to play with playdough, so we’ve used preschool playdough mats a lot with our kids.
And that started us thinking about how to include more sensory play on a regular basis.
Basically, moon sand is crumbly sand that’s moldable. I’d seen it for sale in stores, but I’d never thought about making it myself.
Turns out it’s pretty easy! We decided to include a fun twist by adding some color with this DIY Colored Moon Sand Recipe!
Read on to see the full moon sand recipe. And, if you’d like more ways to play with moon sand, read our roundup of ten different moon sand recipes to try!
Plus, don’t miss our fun sidewalk chalk math game for more outdoor play!
DIY Colored Moon Sand Recipe
To make colored moon sand, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)
- Play sand
- Cornstarch
- Food coloring
- Water
FYI, play sand comes in a super heavy bag. If you buy a bag at a store, be sure to grab one of those rolling handcarts to transport it to the register.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with super sore arms the next day….like me.
Just mix the play sand, cornstarch, and water together with about a 4 to 2 to 1 ratio.
Then add any choice of food coloring. You’re done!
Scroll down for the printable recipe!
Here’s another FYI: Do not make this on your dining room table, unless you really want a scratched table.
(We found this out the hard way.)
This is definitely an outdoor activity. We finally wised up when it was time for the kids to sink their little hands into it.
The littles liked the fact that the moon sand could change shape.
It could be broken into chunks like bricks.
Or it could be ground into sand – just like beach sand.
By the time we got them into the house, their hands were covered with color dust, but they had a blast with our DIY moon sand recipe!
Be sure to have the shower running when you bring the kids into the house. They’ll need some hot water and soap STAT.
For just 10 minutes of prep, this was an outdoor sensory activity that lasted all afternoon! Perfect for unstructured creative play.
Don’t miss these other fun activities!
>>> Grab the printable DIY Colored Moon Sand Recipe below! <<<
DIY Colored Moon Sand Recipe
Adapted from Wikihow
Ingredients
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 4 cups play sand
- 5-8 drops food coloring (optional)
Instructions
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Pour water into large container. A sturdy outdoor box is best.
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Add the corn starch and stir well to break up clumps.
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Add desired food coloring and mix well.
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Slowly add in play sand, stirring to combine.
