Does Kinetic Sand Dry Out? (Explained)

 

Kinetic sand has become a popular item for many children to play with.

It is relatively inexpensive and can keep kids busy for hours.

Kinetic sand can provide endless activities and allow children to work on their motor skills and use their imaginations.

Whether you have kinetic sand at home for your kids or are thinking about purchasing it, you might be wondering if kinetic sand will dry out after long periods.

Let’s discuss what you need to know about kinetic sand and whether it will dry out.

 

Does Kinetic Sand Dry Out?

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No, kinetic sand does not dry out.

If you do notice that your kinetic sand is starting to feel dry, this is most likely due to the humidity where it is being stored.

When the humidity begins to affect the kinetic sand, it will feel like the texture is off and it may not hold its shape as it should.

However, kinetic sand does not typically dry out due to the oil that it is made with.

 

How Does Kinetic Sand Stay Moist?

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Kinetic sand is made with silicone oil.

Unlike water which will dry out quite quickly, the silicone oil will stay moist.

The silicone oil is what enables kinetic sand to be moved and formed into different shapes while staying moist.

Oil never dries out, and therefore, the kinetic sand will retain its moisture fairly easily even when played with outdoors for long periods.

 

Does Kinetic Sand Get Moldy?

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Kinetic sand can get moldy if it gets wet and is not dried out properly.

You may notice that it will start to smell weird, and you might even see mold growing on it.

Once kinetic sand gets moldy, it will need to be thrown away and replaced.

 

Will Kinetic Sand Hold Germs?

 

Just as with any other children’s toy or activity, it is common to wonder if kinetic sand will hold any germs.

Because kinetic sand does not contain water, it is not prone to harboring bacteria.

Many kinetic sand products that are purchased over the counter have antimicrobial properties in them.

It is not impossible for kinetic sand to hold germs, but it is unlikely.

If you are worried about kinetic sand holding onto germs, then the best thing you can do is have your kids wash their hands before playing with it.

This will ensure they do not transfer any germs that are on their hands into the kinetic sand.

There is no way to sanitize or clean the kinetic sand, but this is typically not a problem with kinetic sand.

 

What If Kinetic Sand Gets Wet?

 

If your kinetic sand gets wet, then you need to be sure to dry it out properly to prevent mold growth.

You can do this by placing the kinetic sand on a cookie sheet or tray and letting it dry for several hours.

After it is completely dry, you can place it back in its bag or storage container.

In the event that you leave your kinetic sand out to dry and it appears too dry, you can add a couple of drops of water to it to bring moisture back into it.

 

Can You Put Kinetic Sand In Water?

 

Kinetic sand is not meant to be placed in water.

If you put kinetic sand in water, it will not get muddy.

Instead, it will potentially get stickier.

It is best to just use kinetic sand on dry surfaces to get the best use out of it and avoid having to dry it out.

 

How Long Does Kinetic Sand Last?

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Kinetic sand typically needs to be replaced every one to two years with frequent usage.

It can last quite a while if cared for properly and kept in a reusable container where it is not exposed to moisture or humidity.

Some people have been able to keep the same kinetic sand for three to five years if it is not used as frequently.

 

How Do You Store Kinetic Sand?

 

Kinetic sand is best stored in a sealed container.

This can be a plastic bag or container with a resealable lid.

By keeping it stored in an airtight container, it will better retain its moisture.

This will keep it from being exposed to any humidity which can dry it out.

 

How Does Kinetic Sand Work?

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For those who have used kinetic sand before, it is easy to wonder how the sand can feel so soft and silky but keep its shape when formed into something.

The silicone oil in kinetic sand plays a key role in how kinetic sand works.

Silicone has silicon and oxygen elements in it.

The silicone oil is unique because it has properties that make it more liquid and allow it to move freely, but also semi-solids that cause it to move more slowly in the absence of any pressure.

This is why kinetic sand is soft and malleable when squished and touched, but when formed into a shape it can hold the shape for an extended period.

 

What Activities Can Be Done With Kinetic Sand?

 

1. Writing Letters And Numbers

Kinetic sand is great for young children to practice writing letters and numbers.

The kinetic sand can be spread out in a tub or container, and the child can use a pencil to practice writing.

This is a great way to encourage young children to work on homework but allow them to do it in a fun way.

 

2. Creating Shapes

For children who are learning about shapes and how to create them, kinetic sand is the perfect tool.

Since it can easily be formed into different shapes, children can pick a shape and use the kinetic sand to form it instead of just drawing it out.

 

3. Motor Skills

For young children who are working on motor skills, kinetic sand can provide a way for them to dig around in the sand and work on hand-eye coordination.

You can hide small objects in the sand, let children search for the objects, and then pull them out.

It is also easy to create a small “beach” with kinetic sand.

If you have enough kinetic sand, you can fill a large tub and place items such as sea shells as well as buckets, shovels, and things to build sand castles.

This will encourage children to use their motor skills to dig in the sand and also build small sand castles.

 

4. Telling Time

Place a thick layer of kinetic sand in a flat container and then draw a clock in the sand.

You can put all of the numbers around a circle.

Then use two straws to create the hands on the clock and have children move the straws to show certain times on the clock.

 

5. Solve Math Problems

Children can work on math problems with kinetic sand as well.

If you purchase cookie cutters in the shape of numbers as well as the addition, subtraction, multiplication, equals, and division symbols, then children can write out math problems in the kinetic sand and solve them.

Instead of just working on paper, this can provide a new way to work on math equations.

 

Is Kinetic Sand Harmful?

 

Kinetic sand is considered non-toxic.

However, because it is made of sand and oil, it is best to keep an eye on young children.

Ingesting it can cause digestive upset.

In extreme cases, if too much kinetic sand is digested, it can cause obstructions in the intestines.

Along with keeping an eye on young children, it is also a good idea to keep kinetic sand out of reach of pets so they are not tempted to try to eat it.

 

Where Can You Purchase Kinetic Sand?

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Kinetic sand is a popular activity and can be readily found in many stores.

You can easily purchase kinetic sand from Amazon or if you are wanting to purchase it in a store, you can find it at places such as Walmart, Target, and Michaels.

Outside of major chain stores, local craft stores will also carry kinetic sand kits in their activity and children’s craft sections.

 

Can You Make Your Own Kinetic Sand?

 

Kinetic sand can be purchased already made, or you can make your own kinetic sand.

The process for making kinetic sand is fairly simple.

This can be a fun activity for kids to make their own kinetic sand and then get to play with it afterward.

To make your kinetic sand, you will just need sand, baby oil, and cornstarch.

If you do not have or cannot find baby oil, you can make kinetic sand with vegetable oil or mineral oil.

The best ratio is five parts sand, three parts oil, and one part cornstarch.

Mix the cornstarch and sand together until it is well blended.

Then add the oil and incorporate the oil thoroughly into the sand.

Once it is all mixed, then it is complete and it can be played with.

 

Is Kinetic Sand Easy To Clean Up?

 

Kinetic sand is normal sand, but when silicone oil is added, it no longer sticks to hands and surfaces as regular sand would.

Therefore, kinetic sand is a great choice for kids to play with.

It makes for very easy cleanup, and it will not stick to kids’ hands.

This makes it ideal because they will not have kinetic sand stuck to their hands as they move on to touching other toys and surfaces.

 

Can You Vacuum Kinetic Sand?

 

Many people like purchasing kinetic sand for their children due to the easy cleanup.

Kinetic sand can be vacuumed up with ease, and it will not ruin your vacuum.

This can be helpful if kinetic sand gets on a carpet or a fabric surface.

 

What Is The Difference Between Kinetic Sand And Magic Sand?

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If you have been shopping for kinetic sand, you might also see something that looks similar called magic sand.

Although they look identical, there are a few important differences between the two.

Magic sand is soft, like kinetic sand, but it is smoother and has a wetter consistency than kinetic sand.

You will not be able to mold magic sand as well as you can kinetic sand.

Both magic sand and kinetic sand are non-toxic and safe for children to play with.

 

Conclusion

The fact that kinetic sand is made from sand combined with oil makes it highly unlikely to dry out.

When exposed to humidity, it might feel as though it is drying out, but this can be resolved by adding a couple of drops of water, and it will be as good as new.

Overall, kinetic sand is a relatively inexpensive and fun activity for kids of all ages that will last for quite some time.