Homemade Moon Sand Recipe

Remember when I talked about all the busy bags I got at the exchange I went to?  (Click here and here)  Well, among all those bags o’ busy-ness there was a bag of sand.  It was supposed to be Moon Sand but given the cost that it would have taken to make 20 plus bags for the exchange, the girl who did it opted to provide the bag of sand along with the recipe for Moon Sand.  That way we could all make it at our leisure and she didn’t have put in a ton of money. 

Please note that it does NOT cost a lot to make one batch (or even more).  It just would have been a lot for that many batches all at once.  Actually it was pretty inexpensive. 

Here’s what you do:

Mix 1 1/2 cups of cold water with 3 cups of cornstarch.  This is the hardest part.  It turns into this weird, goopy stuff that can’t decide if it wants to be liquid or solid.  It’s pretty fun to play in.  The kids liked it. 

Once you’re done playing in the slime, add 6 cups (I liked the consistency at about 5) of regular play sand, one cup at a time.  You’ll probably have to use your hands to get it all mixed in.   

When you’re all done, it looks and feels like damp sand.  The best kind of castle building sand!!  Now it’s ready to play with. (Next time you get it out you may need to add a couple tablespoons of water to revive it back to the right consistency.)  H and A were so excited to find that they could make miniature castles INSIDE the house.  All the kids had a blast.  I have never played with or even seen the ‘real’ Moon Sand so I can’t give a comparison as far as texture goes.  All I know is that the kids are loving it.

 

 

 

 

Dirt Cups

What kid doesn't like to go outside and play in the dirt?  Or better yet, what kid, at some point, doesn't eat the dirt that they like to play in? 

Think back... I bet there was a time in your life that even you tried eating dirt.  I remember mixing it with my milk once thinking it would taste just like chocolate milk.  Ummm, yeah.  Let's just say it doesn't quite have the same appeal as Nesquik.  I don't recommend it.  Tell your kids.  Not that they will listen, but you could certainly try.  Oh what the heck!  Let 'em try it.  A little dirt never hurt anyone. 

But instead of giving them real dirt, let them make these dirt cups or sand cups.  That's right!  Your kids can make this practically by themselves.  Depending on age and skill level, of course.  My kids make them for their Lemonade Stand each week and they always sell. 

'Cause who wouldn't want to eat this?  Well, besides the kid that saw them and said to his mom, "Ew!  I don't want one of those, that's gross!"  We'll leave him out of the equation.



Kids go nuts over them and they're so simple. 

First, you'll need to have a package of Oreo's on hand for the dirt cups and/or a package of Nilla Wafers for the sand cups.  Then place the cookies in a gallon sized zipper bag and have the kids beat the cookies until they are fine crumbs. OR, you can put them in a food processor and let it do the dirty work for you. 





Then you're going to make a large box of pudding (chocolate or vanilla) according to the package instructions.  After it's made, add up to half of the crumbs to your pudding.  I prefer a bit less but it's up to you.  Then you'll add up to 8 ounces (small container) of whipped cream to the pudding.  Again, I prefer about half that amount but nobody asked me. 

**These pics are only of the pudding itself.  No whipped cream or crumbs have been added yet.**





The other half of the crumbs will be used as dirt and/or sand in your cups.  Fill the very bottom of a clear plastic cup with a spoonful of crumbs. 



Cover that bottom layer of crumbs with a thick layer of pudding mixture. 

 

Spoon another layer of crumbs on the top.



Garnish with gummy worms, Swedish Fish, or other gummy, buggy creatures. 



Aren't they fun?  You're kids will LOVE them!