Homemade dough · Sand
Homemade moon sand
Homemade moon sand molds and holds its shape: fine sand, cornstarch, and a little water or oil. Ratios, play ideas, and how to store it.
- DifficultyVery easy
- Time5 minutes
- Makes1 bin
- Recommended ageAges 3+, with an adult
Moon sand is even simpler than magic sand: sand, cornstarch, and a little water or oil. It molds well and doesn’t harden like clay. Perfect for a space-themed sensory bin, with stars and aluminum foil “meteors.”
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480 ml) fine play sand
- 1 cup (240 ml) cornstarch
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water or oil
Supplies: a big bin, molds.
Steps
- Pour the sand and cornstarch into the bin.
- Add the water or oil and mix by hand.
- Adjust with a little liquid if the sand won’t hold a shape.
- Mold, build, decorate.
How do you know it worked?
Moon sand is ready when it packs into a cup and holds its shape once you turn it out, yet crumbles under your fingers when you break it. If it falls back into powder, it needs a little more water or oil: add one spoonful at a time and mix well. If it sticks to your hands or forms wet clumps, add a little sand and cornstarch. Test it before you fill the whole bin: a small castle or a star print shows right away whether the texture is right.
The most common slime fails
- It crumbles
- A little more water or oil.
- It’s muddy
- Add sand and cornstarch.
Variations and ideas
- With oil, it dries out more slowly; with water, it’s less messy but doesn’t keep as long.
- For a texture that flows through your fingers: magic sand.
How to store it
Closed container. The water version dries out in a few days: just add more water.
✅ I made it! Add it to my logbook
