Moon sand is one of our favorite sensory recipes to play with and make! I bet you have most of the ingredients you already need at home! We could also call this space sand as we added a fun space theme to our play below. Read on to find out how to make moon sand to add to a space theme sensory bin.
What is moon sand?
Moon sand is an unique but simple mixture of sand, cornstarch, and water. It can be packed together to make great sand castles, formed into mounds and mountains and molded. It stays moist while you play with it and doesn’t harden like clay!
What is the difference between moon sand and kinetic sand?
If you are wondering whether moon sand and kinetic sand are the same thing, no they are made from different ingredients. But both start with sand as the main ingredient and make for moldable, tactile fun.
CHECK OUT: Kinetic Sand Recipe and Colored Kinetic Sand
Can you make colored moon sand?
Yes, you can make moon sand any color you like by varying the color of the play sand you add.
For our moon sand space sensory bin below I chose to use a package of black-colored sand instead of regular white play sand. If you are like me and have a reluctant mess maker, do the mixing yourself!
I have learned it is best to prepare the dough or sand beforehand and then let my son experiment with playing in it at his own pace. It is less intense that way and the messiness doesn’t turn him off before he even has a chance to play.
I even resist washing my hands during play now (less pictures were taken) to encourage him and model for him that it is okay to get your hands dirty. I had this ready for when he got home for school as an invitation to play and get messy.
Also check out this fun space sensory bin we set up with aquarium rocks!
Moon Sand Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of play sand
- 1 cup of cornstarch (all I had)
- 1/4 cup of water or oil
Instructions:
STEP 1. Add all the ingredients to a large container and mix well.
STEP 2. Add some cups and spoons to use for play or set up a fun space theme sensory bin like we did below.
How To Set Up Space Sensory Bin With Moon Sand
What You Can Add:
- Add silver or iridescent glitter to mimic stars or cosmic dust.
- Toy Astronauts and Spaceships
- Glow-in-the-dark stars, planets, or moon shapes
- Add small rocks or pebbles to represent asteroids or meteorites. (We used tin foil to make our meteorites)
- Alien Figures hidden in the sand
TIP: Print out images of constellations (see below) and laminate them for durability. Scatter these cards throughout the sensory bin for children to explore and identify different star patterns.
I added some Imaginext space people, tinfoil “meteors” and glow in the dark stars. I also added some silver glitter to our container of homemade moon sand.
He started out using the spoon I provided to help his play. I showed him he could pack little castles and enjoyed dumping them on the men and covering them, making a mound. All the men got “stuck” and needed rescuing before the next meteor hit! Then he got messy!
My favorite part is watching him test his boundaries and squish into the moon-sand mixture. Once this happens, I know he is coming to an end and will be ready to wash his hands, but I am so glad that he takes the time to feel it, even if it is just a couple of minutes!
Check out more fun sensory bin ideas here!
Free Printable Constellation Cards
Download and print out these free constellation cards.
More Fun Play Recipes To Try
We had fun playing with homemade moon sand; check out these fun sensory play ideas…
More Space Theme Activities To Try
- Another space sensory bin
- Constellation playdough mats
- Galaxy slime
- Galaxy in a jar
- Puffy paint moon craft
- Fizzing moon rocks
- Moon craters
Printable Space Projects Pack
With 250+ pages of hands-on fun space themed fun, you can easily explore classic space themes with your kiddos including moon phases, constellations, the solar system, and of course the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar landing with Neil Armstrong.
⭐️ Activities include supply lists, instructions, and step-by-step pictures. Also Includes FULL Space Camp Week. ⭐️
Celebrate the 1969 lunar landing with easy-to-do activities at home, with groups, at camp, or in the classroom. Read up on this famous event and learn more about Neil Armstrong as well.
- Moon STEAM activities combine science, technology, engineering, art, and math with supply lists, set up and process photos, and science information. Craters, fizzy moon rocks, edible moon phases, watercolor galaxies, a DIY planetarium, bottle rocket, and so MUCH MORE!
- Printable Moon STEM challenges that are simple but engaging for home or classroom. Also included, is a Moon theme STEM Story with challenges perfect for going on a STEM adventure inside or outside!
- Moon phases & Constellation activities include charting moon phases, oreo moon phases, moon phases mini book, and more!
- Solar System activities include a solar system lapbook template and plenty of information to learn about the solar system and beyond!
- Moon extras include I-Spy, algorithm game, binary code project, 3D rocket building, thaumatropes, and MORE!
Love all the little special touches you did to make this a cool space theme!
This is so beautiful and fun! It looks so inviting, I want to go play with it 🙂 Pinned!
Looks like fun! I love the stars and space men with the moon sand!
My sons would love this, great idea!
Oh, how fun!! We have seen moon sand at stores but have not tried it yet. I didn’t know it was so easy to make. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
So much fun!! I am pinning this for later. Thanks!
Can you use actual sand and not store bought sand and mix it with black food coloring and the other ingredients?
It’s going to be super messy! I wouldn’t recommend it and just stick with uncolored sand!