Sensory Toys

Kinetic sand is a type of play material that looks like wet, compacted sand. It’s different from traditional sand because kinetic sand sticks together in your hand, and it’s easy to mold into shapes. Kids love playing with this stuff! And the best part about kinetic sand is that you can buy it at most toy stores or online retailers.  Let look a the cool things to do with kinetic sand.

So, what fun things can you do with kinetic sand? We’ve come up with a list of cool activities and crafts for you, your friends, and your kids!

Is Kinetic Sand Safe?

Kinetic sand is a type of play material made up of tiny grains of sand held together by a water-based adhesive. It has gained popularity in recent years because it is easy to mold into shapes, and when it dries, the sand does not stick to your hands.

So, is kinetic sand safe? The answer to that question depends on who you ask. Kinetic sand has been known to cause skin irritation in some people, so if you have sensitive skin, it may be a good idea to test out the product on a small part of your body. And because kinetic sand is a type of play material, it should not be ingested – so make sure to teach young children not to eat the product.

Cool Things to Do with Kinetic Sand

Here are some cool things you can do with kinetic sand:

1.      Sand Playdough

Kinetic sand is a great material to play with because it’s so soft and malleable. It’s also fun to make things with, and you can create all sorts of shapes and designs. One great activity to do with kinetic sand is to make playdough out of it.

To make kinetic sand playdough, you’ll need:

• Kinetic sand
• Water
• Food coloring (optional)

To make the playdough, start by adding a few tablespoons of water to your kinetic sand. Mix it until the water is fully absorbed. If you want, you can add food coloring at this point to give your playdough a fun color. Once the water is mixed in, add a few more tablespoons of water and mix again. Continue doing this until the playdough has reached your desired consistency. You can make it as thick or thin as you want.

Once the playdough is ready, you can use it in all sorts of creative ways. You can roll it into a ball and smash it flat again to create a pancake shape, for example, or build mini sandcastles with it.

2.      Sand Slime

Another fun activity to do with kinetic sand is making slime. If you haven’t made slime before, it’s easy to make and really entertaining. Kinetic sand slime is a little different from most other types of slime, but it works the same way, and kids will love getting their hands messy and playing around with it. To make kinetic sand slime, you’ll need:

• Kinetic sand
• Borax
• Water

To make the kinetic sand slime, start by adding your desired amount of kinetic sand to a bowl or bucket. Add some water and mix it in thoroughly to make sure every grain of sand is wet. It should be damp but not sopping wet; if it’s too wet, you’ll need to add some more sand.

Next, measure out your borax and set it aside. Add a half cup of water to your sand mixture and stir it in well. Pour the borax on top of the sand mixture slowly; it will react with the water and start forming clumps. Keep adding borax until you have a big clump of goopy sand in your bowl.

Once the mixture has turned to slime, take it out of the bowl and play around with it. It’s not quite as heavy or wet as regular kinetic sand, but kids will still enjoy making things with it or smashing it into pieces.

If you want, you can add a few drops of food coloring to your slime to make it even more colorful. If you do this, be sure not to put the borax on top of the slime until all the water has been absorbed, or else it will react with the liquid and form clumps too soon.

3.      Sand Candle Holders

Sand candle holders are another exciting thing you can make with kinetic sand. You can easily make shapes to hold your candles with kinetic sand, and the finished project looks great too. The best part is that you can use it as decoration or light the candle inside. To make a kinetic sand candle holder, you’ll need:

• Kinetic sand
• Thick candle (optional)

To make your candle holder, start by rolling out your kinetic sand on a flat surface. If you want, you can press the candle in it to make an impression before adding water. Once your shape is roughly how you like it, add some water and let the mixture soak in until it’s damp but not wet throughout.

Once your sand is damp, pull the mold apart at the edges and slip out the piece of sand that you just made. This will give it a nice smooth edge that looks decorative when displayed. You can also use this technique to create simple shapes or designs if you put them into individual molds instead of taking them right off after they’re done mixing.

4.      Kinetic Sand Stamping

Stamping is a fun activity that you can do using kinetic sand. You can press all sorts of objects into the sand to make different designs. The best part about this activity is that kids can work together to create their own custom stamps by using whatever objects they happen to have lying around.

To make your kinetic sand stamp, you’ll need:

• Kinetic sand
• Objects (like beans or spices)

To start, simply fill a shallow container with enough kinetic sand for your design. Once you’ve done that, lay down some paper and put your object on top of it. Using something heavy like a book, push down on the object until an impression has been in the sand below it; this will create your stamp.

With this technique, you can make any design you want, so get creative learning cool things to do with kinetic sand!

5.      Treasure Hunt

One fun activity that kids will enjoy is a treasure hunt. Most parents have done this before with their children, but it’s always a hit because kids love finding hidden treasures. You can make treasure hunting even more fun with kinetic sand by adding clues and riddles to figure out where the next spot is.

To create a kinetic sand treasure hunt, you’ll need:

• Kinetic sand
• Treasure rewards

To start your hunt, place some of your desired amount of kinetic sand into a plastic container or Ziploc bag—the bigger the container, the longer your hunt could be! Add in some small objects like beads or marbles to add weight and give it some purpose; these should be different from anything your child would normally find around the house so that it’s more exciting.

Once you have the container filled with sand and objects, place it somewhere your child will find it but won’t be able to see inside—underneath their pillow, between the sofa cushions, etc. After doing this, create a small map or riddle for them to follow, so they know where to go next. You could also leave some hints along the way to make sure they don’t get lost or give up too soon.

6.      Fun Math and English Activities

Kinetic sand can also be used to make math and English more fun for kids. Rather than just memorizing the alphabet, let your child create letters or numbers with kinetic sand and learn how it works—they’ll have more fun memorizing things this way! To make a kinetic sand letter, you’ll need:

• Kinetic sand
• A small glass (like an old jam jar)

To start, take some kinetic sand and place it at the bottom of the glass. Once you’ve got the right amount, press down on it until there’s about two inches of solid material at the bottom. Then, use something sharp like a toothpick to carve grooves into the surface along all its edges. Be careful not to break through any of the pieces, though.

If you want to make a number instead of a letter, use something pointy but not sharp like a toothpick or eraser end of a pencil to carve dots into your kinetic sand. Make as many as you need on the lines already there for each groove to create whatever number or shape, you’re trying to make. You can then turn this into math practice by having your child count them aloud while ensuring they didn’t mix up any dot placements!

7.      Cook Up Pretend Meals

If you’re a parent, chances are that at least one of your kids has asked you to play with them in the kitchen. You can turn this into an educational activity by having them use kinetic sand! More cool things to do with kinetic sand.  Kids love playing with food even if they don’t know how cooking it works, so your kids will greatly enjoy this while also learning about fractions and measurements.

To create kinetic sand food, you’ll need:

• Kinetic sand
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Pint containers or other small plastic bowls for serving things like ice cream scoops

Pending the foods your kids want to make, you can make this a learning activity from start to finish! You could teach them how you would make a bowl of cereal, a hot dog, a cup of tea, etc.

You could also use this opportunity to incorporate some lessons on hot stoves and ovens. For example, walk them through how to make a cupcake or a 2-layer birthday cake!

If you have kids interested in cooking or baking but are still too young to do so themselves, let them practice making pretend versions of their favorite foods with kinetic sand!

8.      Model The Solar System Planets

One fun thing you can do with kinetic sand is make a planetary model to learn about the solar system. To make your custom planet models, you’ll need:

• Kinetic sand (2 colors)
• Small bowls or cups
• Rolling pin (optional)
• Cardstock sheet (optional)

To start this activity, set up two small dishes of different colored kinetic sand—one blue and one orange are great choices for this demonstration. Put them next to each other. If you want to, you can roll up some cardstock sheets and place them on the floor or table as well, so your kids don’t have to worry about cleaning after this activity.

Once your setup is complete, tell your child you’re going to show them the planets in the solar system using kinetic sand! Have them come closer and watch as you take their first color of sand and place it in the center of the surface—this will be where your sun goes. Then, slowly add each individual planet as it orbits the sun or lines up next to it. You can tell your kid a little bit about each planet along the way!

Final Thoughts:

Kinetic sand is a versatile material that can be used for many different activities, both educational and recreational. In this article, we’ve shared just a few of the possibilities, but there are countless other cool things to do with kinetic sand out there waiting to be explored. Have fun with your kids using kinetic sand in new and exciting ways!

Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates your child’s senses. The five human senses are hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch. By cultivating your child’s five senses, you are encouraging brain development and social growth.  Today let’s look at water beads sensory play benefits.

There are many benefits of sensory play outside of growth and development. How can you stimulate the senses safely and productively? With countless research studies, scientists and toymakers have made sensory play easily accessible!

Sensory play items can be anything that introduces new ideas to the five senses. Some sensory items can include bubbles, flashing lights, musical instruments, painting, and more. And an increasingly popular sensory play item is water beads!

Water beads are a great way to stimulate your child’s senses! Want to know more about the benefits of sensory play and water beads? Keep reading to learn how to use water beads and which popular water bead kit is for you!

Benefits of Sensory Play

It Encourages Growth and Development

When participating in sensory play many things are happening for a child. For example, they are being confronted with new sights, textures, and sounds. While this may seem overwhelming, it is the way that their brain develops and intakes information.

Introducing a new texture to a child allows them to store that memory and later recognize similar items in the future. Another way that sensory play encourages growth and development is through problem-solving skills.

Very few children lack imagination and wonder. When presented with new items, they will want to observe, explore, and create. Observing and exploring new sights and sounds will ignite an idea. This exploration and creation force the child to practice their problem-solving skills to achieve their desired action.

Sensory play also encourages the development of motor skills, both fine and gross motor skills. Gross motor skills are basic bodily movements that require the body’s large muscles. Gross motor skills in children can include crawling, sitting, walking, running, jumping, etc. Fine motor skills are bodily movements that require the body’s smaller muscles. Fine motor skills in children can include pinching, snapping, grasping, tapping, etc.

It Builds Connections

Sensory play can build two different types of connections: social connections and nerve connections. While participating in sensory play, children are building brain nerve connections. As stated earlier, introducing new senses allows children to store memories and recognize future similarities.

Social connections can include language skills, peer relationships, and communication abilities. Allowing a child to experience multiple sensations (sight, smell, touch, etc.) at once prepares them for future situations. The introduction of multiple senses is a similar experience to being around other playing children.

Another way sensory play builds connections is through communication. It is always a good idea to allow your child to experience sensory play with others and peers. By introducing others to their play area, it gives children a chance to communicate their ideas and wants. With instruction, they can learn new words and meanings.

 Most Popular Water Bead Sensory Play Accessories

Leeche Nontoxic Water Beads Kit

Leeche’s Nontoxic Water Beads Kit comes with 300 giant gel beads and 20,000 smaller gel beads. These water beads were specifically designed for sensory toys and decorations.

To protect your children, these water beads are toxic-free and intended for children three years and older (due to potential choking hazards). Not only are they toxic-free, but they are also non-flammable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly.

To aid in your child’s sensory exploration, these water beads are a tool to introduce colors and textures. Leeche describes their product as follows,

“Fully expanded, smooth, squishy water beads create a soothing tactile experience. Ideal for keeping kids happy and busy for hours, playing a fun game, [and a] great learning tool”.

You can introduce color recognition, counting practice, imagination training, and communication skills!

Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Ocean and Sand

With this brand, you receive more than just various-sized water beads. The Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Ocean and Sand come with the following items:

• Sensory Bin
• Two Pounds of Soft Sensory Sand and Water Beads
• Ocean Animal Toys
• Scoop
• Sand Sifter
• Sand Molds
• River Rocks

This kit provides all the necessary items for your sensory bin. According to Creativity for Kids, their water bead kit promotes sensory development, fosters imaginative play, and develops fine motor skills. This kit is intended for children three years and up.

UWEAONTIME DOTH: Water Beads Pack with Sensory Toys

This company provides its customers with a plethora of water beads and sensory tools! Each kit comes with the following items:

• 30,000 small water beads
• 150 large water beads
• 15 balloons
• 2 scoopers
• 1 tweezer

By soaking these beads in water, customers can grow their water beads up to ten sizes their original size! With many small water beads available, the manufacturing recommended age is 8-13 years old.

This water bead kit is geared toward elementary/middle school ages in mind. Because it comes equipped with older tools such as balloons and tweezers. The tweezers aid with hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Sensory toys and bins are applicable for all children growing up. There is always room to grow!

The balloons and tweezer can aid older children in creating stress-ball balloons. This new creation allows children to squeeze, pull, feel, and explore. The UWEAONTME DOTH Sensory Toys can ignite imagination and internal ideas.

Which Water Bead Option is for You?

With so many water bead options out there, it can be hard to choose the right one for your child. When choosing water beads for sensory play, consider their age and capabilities.

For toddler-aged children, they will need to be monitored closely. Water beads start extremely small. Small children, who are still learning, may try to eat or explore in other unhealthy ways.

Younger children are learning what is food and what is not food, it is vital to let them safely explore sensory bins. With that, always make sure your water beads are nontoxic!

For children that understand the difference between food and non-food items, they can explore with more advanced water bead kits. Many water bead kits are equipped with intricate tools that require concentration and focus. Fine tip tools and other similar mechanisms may work better for older children.

After considering your child’s age and capability, look for what they are interested in! Many water bead kits come with tools and toys; some items may align with your child’s interests. If not, you can always add small molding toys, vehicles, tools, etc.

We hope this explanation of water beads sensory play benefits helped you! Which water bead sensory play kit will you buy? Let us know!

In this post we will be talking about Bunmo Poppin Pipes.

What Are sensory toys?

Sensory toys are toys that offer an interactive experience. They engage your seven senses
– sight, smell, taste, sound, touch, body awareness, and movement. All children, teens, or adults
can find benefits when using sensory toys. Sensory toys are especially beneficial to individuals
who have trouble with sensory stimuli (individuals with Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing
Disorder, and more).

Sensory toys help with cognitive development, memory, multi-tasking, and hand eye
coordination. They also help with motor skill function and development.

What are Bunmo Poppin Pipes?

Bunmo Poppin Pipes are colorful tubes that are designed specifically to engage multiple
parts of your sensory system. They are described as ‘fun and functional sensory toys that pop,
stretch, and connect making these tubes the go-to toy for play time.’ They’re vibrant in color and
connective!

There’s multiple different options when purchasing. They come in packs of 4, 8, 30. This
makes it easy for parents, students, therapists, and physical therapists to buy in bulk if they need
to! This also allows for ease of gift giving, making them fantastic stocking stuffers.

How do they work?

Bunmo Poppin Pipes provide a sensory experience for the user. The vibrant colors
engage your sight. The fun noises engage your sense of sound. The way they are interconnect
engage touch. This provides stimulation for 3 of your seven senses!

You could also engage two more senses depending on how you utilized them. If you use
them to play with others, this could engage your sense of body awareness and movement.

They come in a box that makes storage easy. You can play with just one or all of them at
the same time. You can connect them all together, make shapes, and even wear them on your
wrist if you’d like!

What is the purpose?

Bunmo Poppin Pipes were created with individuals who struggle with sensory processing
and motor skill functioning in mind. All of these things collectively involve the nervous system.

Your sensory system is a part of your nervous system. It is tasked with deciphering your
environment and the world around you. Sometimes, a person’s sensory system might not be able
to correctly decipher this information. As a result, they can be sensory hypersensitive or
hyposensitive. When this happens, an individual may be over stimulated or under stimulated
sensory wise.

Many individuals who struggle with these difficulties have to engage certain parts of their
nervous system in order to self soothe. When our nervous system is under stimulated, it can
cause distress or anxiety. Bunmo Poppin Pipes helps alleviate this distress by providing a multi
functioning sensory experience.

What are the benefits?

Bunmo Poppin Pipes provide a fun and interactive sensory experience. This sensory toy
allows for group play and can be utilized for many different games. My six-year-old niece and I
used them like light sabers! We also connected them together and made a huge circle. It was an
activity we could do together, that we both enjoyed, despite our wide age range.

The fun sounds were super engaging. You can stretch them all the way out and then push
the ends back together, providing two different pitches of sound.

They’re also portable. If you’re feeling stressed and need them to fidget with, they can
easily be concealed inside a bag. Although, the noise benefit to them may not make them
beneficial in a quiet space.

What are the disadvantages?

It’s important to remember that not everyone is going to desire the same sensory
experiences. Being hypersensitive can cause some forms of stimulation to be overwhelming to an
individual. They may enjoy engaging their sense of sound, but dislike the sense of touch.

Bunmo Poppin Pipes would not be desirable for individuals who struggle with their sense
of sound. The sound is loud and pleasing to some, but distressing to others. If loud noises are a
trigger for you, then I would find a different sensory toy.

What do others think of them?

Bunmo Poppin Pipes holds a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon!

Positive Reviews

Many of the reviewers enjoyed that they were durable. They held up through multiple
play sessions and they were easy to sanitize. Reviewers also liked the functionality of them.
Many stated that their kids could wear them as belts or bracelets and that they helped fuel their
imaginative mind.

A good number of the reviewers also enjoyed the fact that they were a multifunctional
toy, which allowed for them to be played with in water.

The other positive point many made were that they were enjoyed by the whole family.
They described watching their spouses play with their kids. Teenagers were playing with
toddlers. It was a toy that everyone benefitted from to some capacity.

Negative Reviews

Many reported issues with the sharp edges. Though they contain no small pieces, if a
child were to chew on them they could result in cuts in their mouths. Other individuals stated if
two people are hitting each other with them, they can cause cuts on the face or body.

The other complaint revolved around kids or adults who played rough with sensory toys.
They stated that they could be easily crushed if you weren’t watching what you were doing.

The other important review I saw on the lower side of ratings regarded chewing. If you
have a child that likes to chew on toys, this may not be the option for you. As I stated above, the
edges are sharp, but the ends of the tubes fall off fairly easily when chewed on. This could
potentially be a choking hazard.

Conclusion

To sum it up, Bunmo Poppin Pipes are great for the right person! If you enjoy engaging
your sense of sound and your imagination, these are the toy for you. If you or your child is
hypersensitive to noise or likes to chew on items, then this toy may not be for you.

Bunmo Poppin Pipes appeals to all age ranges and was designed specifically with
individuals who struggled with sensory cues or motor skills in mind. Happy poppin!

Parents understand the importance of providing for their children. Providing for their needs includes their brain development. One of the most common ways to aid a child in expanding their mind is a sensory table!  In this post we will be talking about a sensory table for 1 year old.

A sensory table is provided to children to develop their skills and understanding of the world. In other words, a sensory table makes new experiences accessible to children of all ages in a supervised setting.

Sensory tables can be incorporated in children as young as one year old! It is crucial to introduce sensory processing into your little one’s life. But how do you know which sensory table to buy, or can a sensory table be a DIY project?

Keep reading to learn about the importance of sensory tables and which one to choose!

What is a Sensory Table?

When looking for sensory table for 1 year old’s, a sensory table can refer to a container, a bucket, a table, etc. You can purchase manufactured sensory tables, but it’s the inside that makes a sensory table!

To make new experiences accessible, sensory tables often contain materials and items foreign to the child’s senses. It introduces new textures, smells, sights, sounds, and sometimes tastes.

Many parents and teachers choose to incorporate their own materials for their sensory tables. For others, it’s far easier to purchase a ready-made sensory table.

By incorporating new items, children will begin to explore and expand their knowledge.

Why Should You Use a Sensory Table?

There are countless benefits of introducing a sensory table into a child’s life. In addition to expanding their knowledge, you are aiding cognitive development with sensory tables.

When presenting items to stimulate their senses, you are contributing to their physical, emotional, and mental development.

Physical Development

With new textures to explore and items to play with, children can develop their fine motor skills and gross motor skills. They can practice picking up items, moving them, and rearranging them.

With practice, they will use their muscle memory when building and creating. This skill will eventually seep into everyday life. If they can practice in a controlled environment, their abilities will grow.

Emotional Development

Some new textures and sights may prove to be calming to a growing mind. Many researchers report that using a sensory table can teach a child calming skills. Sensory tables can contain soft, mesmerizing items.

For example, kinetic sand and soft items can be extremely soothing to handle. Children begin to understand the calming effects of these items as they spend more time with them.

Not only can it calm their mind, but it gives them an outlet to practice their social skills; especially when playing with other people. Children can learn about sharing, delegation, communication, and more.

Mental Development

A sensory table helps children understand and localize problems. With new items at their disposal, little ones will begin exploring and playing. Children that actively seek out these new experiences will logically experience small, child-like problems; problems such as maneuvering and building. The great thing about experiencing these problems is that they will develop problem-solving skills!

Another example of mental development is the development of pretend play, imagination, and creativity. With senses stimulated, children will begin to play, and their minds will continue to expand.

What Should Be in Your Sensory Table?

The things in a sensory table should address at least one of the following senses.

• Hearing
• Sight
• Smell
• Taste
• Touch

The purpose of a sensory table is to introduce new items for sensory processing. For hearing, parental figures can use jangly keys, maracas, music, etc. Items that are great for touching are as follows: cotton balls, rice, sand, water, beans, odd textures, etc. For sight, bright colors, unknown animals, and inviting shapes can help!

Before using tastes and smells, it is crucial to supervise and aid children in these exploration sessions.

Sensory Table for 1 Year Old’s

UNIH Kids Sensory Table

The UNIH Kids Sensory Table was originally created for the snow and children one to three years old. With this snow table, children can explore the snow in their own way. Many parents saw the potential which caused this to become an increasingly popular sensory table without the snow!

The UNIH Kids Sensory Table comes with 19 accessories that children can use as they are exploring. The following accessories are included:

• A Boat
• Beach Sand Table
• One Tree
• A Pinwheel
• Some Kinetic Sand
• 5 Beach Tools (sea creature molds, etc.)
• 9 Beach Toys Models and Tools (spade, shovel, trowel, boats, trains, cars, etc.)

According to UNIH, their Kids Sensory Table improves children’s hands-on abilities, grasping abilities, color perception, brain development, and allows physical exercise.

Step 2 Kids Water Play Table with 13-Piece Accessory Set

The Step 2 Kids Water Play Table with a 13-Piece Accessory Set is also a great sensory table for one-year-olds. This spacious water table is great for multiple children to play together; helpful while encouraging social skills. With each water play table, there are thirteen accessories and toys.

• One Large Bucket
• Two Mini Buckets
• Scooper
• Fish
• Frog
• Rubber Duck
• Sifter
• Three Open Rain Maze Pieces
• Spinners
• Boat

According to Step 2, their sensory table is perfect for sensory exploration, STEM learning, language + social skills, and physical + motor skills. The water sensory table is an excellent way to introduce textures, temperatures, sights, and sounds.

Best Choice Products Castle Sandbox 2 in 1 Sand and Water Table

The Best Choice Castle Sandbox 2 in 1 Sand and Water Table is extremely versatile. There is a detachable play center for each sensory table. With the play center attached, children have access to castles, bridges, and a moat.

When the play center is not attached, there are two large buckets for parental figures to customize. Parents can incorporate their own sensory tools and items.

Each sensory table also comes with a shovel, rake, boat, and bucket; these items can be used with water, sand, or your own sensory tools!

In Conclusion

Finding a sensory table for a one-year-old doesn’t have to be complicated! There are many choices to choose from while shopping. And if you can not find a sensory table that matches your vision, create your own!

A sensory table is only a holder for much more exciting things. Children can be easily amused, and a sensory table is guaranteed to keep their attention and keep their brain growing!

Will you buy a sensory table for 1 year old, or will you make your own? Let us know what you decide!

Are you looking for an activity that is new and exciting for your child to enjoy? Look no further than sand! You may be wondering how sand can qualify as a new and exciting activity, but you should be aware that scientists around the world have done amazing things with sand.  Let’s look at Magic Sand vs Kinetic Sand.

To clean up oil spills, scientists and researchers developed water-repelling sand. The sand was intended to soak up the oil and debris and leave the water behind. After much time creating, many recognized the genius behind water-repelling sand.

Shortly thereafter, toy companies developed something known as Magic Sand and Kinetic Sand. By coating sand in various materials, scientists created fun and stimulating toys for children of all ages!

Both Magic Sand and Kinetic Sand are used mainly as sensory tools for children. Sensory play is extremely important in brain development. With sensory play, you are introducing tools that stimulate the senses. For example, Magic Sand and Kinetic Sand cultivate sight (with its colors) and touch (with its mind-boggling textures).

How do you know which is for the children in your life? Should you choose Magic Sand or Kinetic Sand? Keep reading to find out which one you should buy for your children!

MAGIC SAND

All About It

Magic Sand often comes in many vibrant colors. Depending on the brand, you can purchase Magic Sand that is pink, red, yellow, blue, purple, green, and many other colors.

When handling Magic Sand, it feels exactly like normal sand. If you did not know better, you would think you were holding typical beach sand. However, Magic Sand is coated in a chemical that is called trimethylhydroxysilane. Trimethylhydroxysilane is a chemical used to make objects hydrophobic. To be hydrophobic means to repel water.

So how does trimethylhydroxysilane affect Magic Sand? It makes this sand waterproof!

Unique Features

The unique thing about Magic Sand is that it is made to be used underwater! When you pour Magic Sand in water, it takes shape. However, when you remove the sand from the water it returns to its natural granular texture.

After pouring the Magic Sand into the water, you or your child can begin to shape and mold various sculptures and designs. It is a great way for individuals to construct their creative ideas.

Why Should You Buy It?

Magic Sand is the perfect summer activity. Take the Magic Sand and a bucket of water outside on a warm day, and you can have a blast without ever having to go to the beach.

When you are done playing with your Magic Sand, you can simply scoop it out of the water and into a bucket or bag. You don’t have to worry about dragging in water because it will be completely dry! A benefit of Magic Sand is that it is reusable, ready to use again and again.

Another reason to purchase Magic Sand is that it is a great way to learn about water molecules and hydrophobic products. Many teachers and parents use Magic Sand as a way to demonstrate hydrophobia.

Brands to Buy

Some of the most popular brands of Magic Sand are the following:

• Kicko Magic Sand
• JULAN Magic Sand
• Steve Spangler’s Magic Sand

KINETIC SAND

All About It

Kinetic Sand is extremely similar to Magic Sand because it is also coated in a material that distorts its natural properties. Kinetic Sand is beach sand coated in a chemical known as poly(dimethylsiloxane). Poly(dimethylsiloxane) is used to make this beach sand hydrophobic.

Parents will be glad to know that poly(dimethylsiloxane) is not a harmful toxin for children. Kinetic Sand is completely toxin-free and hypoallergenic. Kinetic Sand is typically free from the following items: casein, wheat, gluten; although, it is always best to check with the manufacturer before purchasing.

Unique Features

In addition to being water-repellent, poly(dimethylsiloxane) makes this beach sand fluffy and sticky. Unlike Magic Sand, Kinetic Sand does not fall apart into singulair granules.

The sticky property allows users to mold and sculpt impressive designs and creations. Many Kinetic Sand kits come with tools and molds for building.  See our post on the Kinetic Sand Castle Kit.

This fluffy and sticky texture allows parents and children to clean up their Kinetic Sand effortlessly. Many love how easy it is to clean up after playing with this.

Why Should You Buy It?

Parents often purchase Kinetic Sand because it is easy to clean up and it is ideal for sensory play. Because it is often colorful and uncomplicated to play with, parents use it to stimulate their child’s senses.

Children can use their imaginations and hand-eye coordination to create spectacular structures. Kinetic Sand is a way for children to further develop their senses and problem-solving skills.

Brands to Buy

Some of the most common Kinetic Sand brands are as followed:

• CoolSand
• Play-Doh
• Kinetic Sand

WHICH SHOULD YOU BUY: MAGIC SAND OR KINETIC SAND?

Now that you understand the properties and individually unique features of Magic Sand and Kinetic Sand, how do you know which one you should buy?

While each has its benefits, there is one defining feature between Magic Sand and Kinetic Sand.

Magic Sand

Magic Sand is more appropriate for older children. For example, children that are able to learn about hydrophobic products and other water property facts. Many teachers use Magic Sand to compare normal beach sand and hydrophobic sand.

Working with Magic Sand underwater can be more stimulating for those that have a more expansive imagination and more developed fine motor skills. While younger children may engage and benefit from Magic Sand, older children will learn more effectively.

Kinetic Sand

Kinetic Sand is more appropriate for younger children. Typically, preschoolers and elementary-age children enjoy Kinetic Sand more than older children. The fluffy, sticky nature of the sand aids children in their sculpting and maneuvering. Not only does it help with construction, but Kinetic Sand can be used as a sensory play tool. By engaging the child in new textures and problems, they can problem-solve and process their thinking. Kinetic Sand can be used to promote thought-processing skills and fine motor skills.

In addition to stimulating the senses, Kinetic Sand is easy to clean up! Younger children can help clean up Kinetic Sand because it can be clumped together without falling apart. While Magic Sand returns to its normal state, Kinetic Sand typically stays together as one piece making it easy for little hands to clean.

The Verdict

Will you buy Magic Sand to help teach your child hydrophobia and water properties or will you buy Kinetic Sand to promote sensory play and brain development? Let us know if this assessment helped you!

Finding toys and activities for children’s busy hands can be difficult for any parent! It is a parent’s dream to keep their children occupied and have them learning while they do it.  Today we’ll dig into the Kinetic Sand castle kit.

For many parents and babysitters, this can be a daunting task. Many toys and activities do not provide adequate learning or engagement. Likewise, other toys can be too advanced for children.

When you are trying to keep your child engaged and access their learning abilities, there are a few toys and activities to try.

For example, the Kinetic Sand Castle Kit. The Kinetic Sand Castle Kit is sculptable play sand for children; this kit encourages sensory play and creativity.

Want to know more about sensory play? Keep reading to see if the Kinetic Sand Castle Kit is perfect for the children in your life!

SENSORY PLAY

What Is It?

Sensory play is any activity or object that engages an individual’s senses; such as sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. Many parents are encouraged to introduce sensory play into their child’s daily habits.

If various sensory play is presented to a child, they can build nerve connections that further develop the brain. Sensory play is essential for brain development and growth.

Why Is It Important?

Sensory play is extremely important for a child’s mind and development. By introducing sensory play, you are presenting new ideas and thought processes.

Engaging in sensory play creates new and unfounded reactions to stimuli in a young mind. Not only does it introduce new ideas, but it further develops problem-solving abilities.

How Can You Incorporate It?

You can incorporate sensory play in many different ways. Bright colors and new patterns can engage the sense of sight. Things such as animal sounds and songs can develop their hearing. When presented with diverse foods and drinks, a child engages in textures and tastes.

Incorporating sensory play is as simple as changing a child’s environment and introducing new toys and activities. Kinetic sand is a great sensory tool for creativity, sense of touch, and thinking abilities.

KINETIC SAND

All About It

Kinetic sand is a type of sand that can be molded and sculpted into different shapes. This sand is squeezable and fluffy. It is a texture, unlike normal sand. With kinetic sand, children can craft whatever they want without the hassle of the beach and seawater.

Kinetic Sand describes their creative sand product as the following, “fluff the sensory toy sand, feel it flow through fingers like slow-moving liquid! Satisfying oozes, moves, and melts!”

Benefits

Kinetic sand is a great sensory play tool for children; it can develop social and emotional capabilities. The fluffy sand has a calming and relaxing effect on many of its users. Children can make the connection between the satisfying texture and their mood.

Not only does it aid in social and emotional development, but physical coordination as well! Kinetic sand allows children to bring their ideas to life. By molding, moving, and building, children can increase their mobility and hand-eye coordination.

Children are also able to be as creative as they wish! By using kinetic sand, they can create and invent original sculptures. Keep reading below to learn how the Kinetic Sand Castle Kit is the ultimate creative sensory play tool!

THE KINETIC SAND CASTLE KIT

The Sand

The Kinetic Sand Castle Kit comes with all-natural sand. The sand is 100% free of casein, gluten, and wheat. Those that have dangerous allergies to these items do not have to worry.

Not only does it not contain major allergens, but it is also nontoxic. This hypoallergenic sand is safe for making crafts and getting your hands dirty.

With the Kinetic Sand Castle Kit, you receive ten pounds of Kinetic Sand! With 10 lbs of Kinetic Sand, you can be sure that your child will enjoy the endless amount of fun. The ten pounds of Kinetic Sand is divided into three colors: blue, brown, and green.

Each kit comes with one pound of blue, one pound of green, and eight pounds of brown sand; this allows children to imitate land, sea, and beach. However, these colors can be used for many other creations when you use your imagination.

The Sandbox and Tools

The Kinetic Sand Castle Kit comes with its sandbox. This sandbox is three feet long and portable! When your child wants to play with their Kinetic Sand, unfold the sandbox and add the sand; this makes playing and cleaning easier for both the child and the parent!

Not only does the folding sandbox make it easy to store, but easy to travel with as well! Parents and babysitters can simply pack their sand castle kit in preparation for rainy days, vacations, or show-and-tell!

In addition to the giant sandbox, this kit comes with ten castle-themed molds and tools. With these tools, your child can build many things for their castle! Your child can build castles, rivers, bridges, moats, towers, walls, and so much more.

Things Included

Each castle kit comes with many accessories to accompany the sand and sandbox! Each kit comes with the following items:

• 1 lb of Blue Sand
• 1 lb of Green Sand
• 8 lbs of Brown Sand
• 10 Multi-Use Molds and Tools
  • Rake / Sand Cutter
  • Shovel / Scooper
  • Steps
  • Walls
  • Bucket
  • Various Building Molds
• 1 Catapult
• A Dragon Character
• The Folding Super Sandbox
• 1 Instruction Sheet

With all of this included with your Kinetic Sand Castle Kit, you can be sure that your kid will love it!

WHY DO YOU NEED IT!

The Kinetic Sand Castle Kit is great for many reasons. For one, it is an excellent form of sensory play. The Kinetic Sand Castle Kit allows the child to experience different textures and colors. It also invites them to engage in creative play. Children are able to use their imaginations to conjure up ideas and plans for their sandcastles.

By using the Kinetic Sand Castle Kit, children can improve their problem-solving abilities, thought-processing abilities, and hand-eye coordination abilities.  Here’s some more cool things to do with kinetic sand.

Thankfully, the Kinetic Sand Castle Kit includes nontoxic, hypoallergenic sand meaning that it can make a great gift for any child in your life. The manufacturing recommended age for kinetic sand is 36 months to 12 years old.

Does your child love Kinetic Sand? Tell us who you will give a Kinetic Sand Castle Kit!