Halloween Moon Sand Sensory Activity

Get ready for your new favorite Halloween activity: Halloween moon sand. It’s smooth, silky, easy, and always spook-tacular fun!

Table of Contents:

1. Introducing Halloween moon sand
2. Halloween moon sand is an annual tradition around here
3. Materials
4. How to make Halloween moon sand
5. How long does DIY moon sand last?
6. Halloween moon sand conversation starters
7. Halloween moon sand isn’t just for little kids
8. FAQ

View more

Introducing Halloween moon sand

10 years ago, I was teaching for Head Start in Boise, Idaho, and always looking for amazing yet inexpensive sensory activities for my students (I was working with a nearly non-existent budget).

I was browsing on Pinterest, saw a recipe for “moon sand,” and it piqued my interest as I had never heard of it before.

“It just needs flour and baby oil? I can try that!” I thought to myself, and it was love at first sight.

The kids lost their minds. The other teachers lost their minds. It was a HIT.

Related: Kids and adults LOVE our giant 10-foot Halloween coloring poster!

Halloween moon sand is an annual tradition around here

10 years later, I’ve made moon sand dozens of times, and it’s just as exciting as the first time.

Let’s make this spectacular sensory fun but with a Halloween twist.

Try these other Halloween hits, too:

• Halloween Sensory Spaghetti
• Frozen Halloween Hands
• Halloween Lava Lamps
• Painting with Spiders

Materials

Friends Art Lab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.

• Flour
• Baby oil
• Shallow tray
• Halloween sprinkles – optional
• Spatula – optional
• Small Halloween toys – optional

How to make Halloween moon sand

Begin by combining the flour and baby oil using an 8:1 ratio

• Standard batch = 8 cups flour + 1 cup baby oil
• Doubled batch = 16 cups flour + 2 cups baby oil
• Small batch = 4 cups flour + ½ cup baby oil

You can mix with a spatula or your hands (I typically begin with a spatula and end with my hands).

Add in your sprinkles, and play!

That’s it! So simple, huh? 

How long does DIY moon sand last?

When stored in an airtight container, moon sand can be stored for several weeks.

Make sure not to let the moon sand get wet with water, as this will cause it to spoil quickly.

Halloween moon sand conversation starters

Open-ended play is often an excellent time for meaningful, thoughtful discussions and learning opportunities.

Some conversation starters include:

• What do you think will happen when the flour and baby oil mix?
• Do flour and baby oil feel the same?
• What does moon sand remind you of?
• Can you mold your moon sand into the shape of a ball?
• What can we add to moon sand for extra fun?
• What do you think would happen if we added too much flour?

And since moon sand is an open-ended play activity, this can also be a perfect opportunity for adults to engage in play.

I had just as much fun making and playing with this Halloween moon sand as my preschool helper!

Halloween moon sand isn’t just for little kids

I’ve made this with people ages 3-70, and it’s a blast regardless of age.

I remember how excited I was the first time I made moon sand, and I cannot wait for you to have that feeling, too.

Have fun!

FAQ