DIY Kinetic Sand

Materials you'll need

• Play sand
• Cornstarch
• Vegetable oil
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cup
• Shallow bin or tray for play

 

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 1 ½ cups of play sand with ¾ cups of cornstarch until fully combined.

Step 2: Slowly pour in ¼ cup of vegetable oil, stirring as you go.

Step 3: Use your hands to knead the mixture together until it feels smooth and holds its shape when squeezed. If it feels too dry and crumbly, knead in a little more oil.

Step 4: Scoop your magic sand into a bin and start molding, squeezing, and shaping it. watch how it holds together but never feels wet or sticky.

Learn more

This "magic" comes down to two ingredients teaming up. The cornstarch is a superfine powder that coats every grain of sand and soaks up the oil, so the mixture never feels greasy. The oil, meanwhile, acts like a very mild glue. It makes the coated grains cling loosely to each other so you can squeeze them into a shape, but it doesn't make them stick to your hands. Store-bought kinetic sand uses this same coating trick, just with a special silicone oil instead of cornstarch and cooking oil, which is why it stays squishy for years without ever drying out.