It is no secret that kinetic sand is much more fun than regular sand. Even though beach sand is fine for building sandcastles, kinetic sand is easy to mold straight away without needing to get it wet. We have gathered a list of fifteen innovative and exciting kinetic sand ideas and sand activities to get students thinking creatively.
1. Fine Motor Dot to Dot
This super simple activity is great to improve fine motor skills in younger students. You can create dot-to-dot images for your students to complete or create a grid that they can create their own design or play a game on.
Learn More: And Next Comes ESL
2. LEGO imprint matching
In this activity you can set up a selection of kinetic sand (instead of play dough) molds of different LEGO pieces and students can compare the mold to the LEGO pieces and match them up.
Learn More: Mama Papa Bubba
3. Potato Head
Potato head sand play ideas are super easy to set up and are a fantastic opportunity for younger students to explore positional words with toddlers. This activity will give young students practice in composing a face and recognizing different features and where they should sit on a face.
Learn More: Modern Preschool
4. Moon sand
Moon sand although similar to kinetic sand, is slightly different. This resource shows you how you can make moon sand in three easy steps with only two ingredients (three if you want to add food coloring). This is a perfect sand sensory activity for younger learners or those with a particular fondness for tactile, sensory play.
Learn More: Mommy Baby Play
5. Building Challenge
Challenge your students with a building challenge, making and using kinetic sand blocks. They could build traditional sand castles or something else entirely. This activity will get students thinking about how to build structures that will stand up against different situations.
Learn More: Fun Learning for Kids
6. Search and Sort
Although this fun-filled project calls for colorful rice, it can easily be replaced with kinetic sand. After you’ve hidden a bunch of summer-themed pictures or objects, you’ll challenge your kids to sift through the sand and sort each found item into categories of your choice.
Learn More: Teachers Mag
7. Make a construction site
This is one of many great kinetic sand ideas for students who love trucks, diggers, and other construction vehicles. Set up a tray with sand and construction vehicles allowing students to play and learn how these vehicles work.
Learn More: Elga Benedicta
8. Create your own zen garden
This moldable sand is perfect for the sensory element of a zen garden. This kit could be a great project and resource for students who sometimes need a bit of a break from classwork to return to an emotional baseline following a tough or tricky activity.
Learn More: Kinetic Sand
9. Search and sort with sounds
Hide items in the sand and encourage students to uncover them, and then sort them into sections based on the initial sound of the word. This activity is ideal for younger students who are learning to read.
Learn More: Pinterest
10. 3D Sculpture Pictionary
Put a new twist on the traditional game of Pictionary by using kinetic sand to create 3D shaped sand creations and sculptures of the challenge word. Use this list of easy words for children to pick from when creating their sculptures.
Learn More: Pinterest
11. Cute cacti garden
Using different colors of green kinetic sand here (instead of playdough) and simple art supplies your students can create a garden of cute and unique cacti.
Learn More: Red Violet Studio
12. Counting on the moon
This exciting early counting activity is engaging and fun for younger learners and will have them excited for their maths lessons as they hunt for treasure.
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13. Kinetic sand cafe
Encourage imaginative play with your students as they make different pretend food with their kinetic sand. From pancakes to ice cream and sand cupcakes, students will get excited to make lots of fantastic culinary creations!
Learn More: The Craft Train
14. Practice with cutlery
Kinetic sand is perfect for children to practice their cutlery skills. Cutting, chopping, and scooping the sand are all great ways to practice using cutlery at mealtimes
Learn More: Stepping Stones for Children
15. Make your own
Making your own kinetic sand is a way to get the fun started before any activities have even begun! This super simple recipe to make kinetic sand, using household items is a great way to make lots of sand up for your students, without a hefty price tag of buying it pre-made.
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