Get ready for your new favorite Halloween activity: Halloween moon sand. It’s smooth, silky, easy, and always spook-tacular fun!
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:
Materials
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- 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
Any that can safely enjoy the materials (this is not taste-safe and shouldn’t be used with kids who will try to eat any of the ingredients).
It is not and it should not be done with kids who will try to eat it.
Simply toss your moon sand in the garbage when done using it.
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