Moon Sand Play Therapy

Skilled Artist's appreciate Moon Sand for it's flexibility and endless beautiful creations afforded to them. Perfecting the work is simple and very inexpensive with just water and glue for a finished, elegant design.

Moon Sand is intended to be used like modeling clay. It is sold in kits containing two colors of sand, a carrying case and a variety of small molds. According to the manufacturer, Moon Sand will not retain water for long. If it dries out, you add a little water and squeeze to reactivate it. Glue will harden the favorite pieces for keeps.

Moon Sand Premium Castle Set

Moon Sand can be used as a sensory integration activity. You will need a large, flat, open container to hold your Moon Sand if you did not purchase it as a kit. The child may need encouragement to touch the sand but should not be forced to do so. You may need to reassure your child that it is okay to touch or squeeze the sand, and that it will not hurt. My duty as a "Special Needs Child Care Giver" is a perfect example of how beneficial having this magical play "Moon Sand" around and available for children with sensory issues. A cookie sheet is a perfect surface to leave a bit of Moon Sand and some tools from the various kits sitting out and ready for children at any given time. The manufacturer describes that a little water will soften it up, however, if dry the Moon Sand has a different feel which is workable and yet another product altogether. Moon Sand, wet and dry, is like having two things for the price of one! Both are beneficial and fun. I actually play with the dryer sand on the cookie sheet each time I visit my very special friends.

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Like many forms of art and creativity, Moon Sand is therapeutic. Moon Sand can be used to help work through strong emotions. Your child can play with Moon Sand whenever he becomes restless or agitated, seems bored or distracted. If you talk about feelings as you work with the Moon Sand, it gives your child a chance to cool off, calm down and begin the process of taking charge of her own emotions. You can talk about how relaxing it is to squeeze and push around. Your child can watch you squeeze Moon Sand harder as you talk about feeling angry, then gradually squeeze softer to show that you are calming down. Your child should be praised for getting the Moon Sand independently when he/she wants to calm him/herself.

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MOON SAND GALAXY GREEN 5 LB BOX

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Educational Innovations
How To Use Moon Sand On Paper
How to Use Moon Sand in Literacy Centers

To make a homemade version of Moon Sand, you can mix one bag play sand with one box of cornstarch, making sure there are no lumps. Adding a little water at a time will turn the mixture into a workable dough that holds a shape when squeezed. The mixture can then be divided into shallow, plastic containers. Food coloring or powdered drink mix in various colors can be added to make colored Moon Sand. It should be stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid. If your sand dries out, adding a little water at a time will make it workable again.
I'm a huge fan of saving plastic tubs for art projects. Great for our environment and free storage for works in progress! The many plastic molding tools can also be replaced with household items like spoons, egg cartons, forks etc. The list is endless!

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Sandtastik White Play Sand 25Lb Box

Moon Sand has many uses as an Art Medium. It can be colored with food dye, powdered drink mix or paste coloring. Moon sand can be used to make three-dimensional sand art, including elaborate castles and free form sculptures. If you want your work to be permanent, you can mix hide glue, clear acrylic wood treatment or clear epoxy with your Moon Sand. After it hardens, move the pieces to a display case.
Moon Sand can be tamped into bottles, jars or glass boxes to make sand paintings. Regular sand paintings can be ruined if disturbed. Moon Sand paintings can be bumped without destroying the look you created so carefully.

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Horned Moon ~ 5.25 Inch Sand Painting Box

Hygloss Sand Art Bottles - Set of 6 Bottles
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A fun and inexpensive Sand Art creative activity!

Play sand Or Moon Sand would work well with these Glass Bottles. A set of 6 is great for Teacher's Gifts, Grandma, and the Baby Sitter! Simple to create a darling gift a child or adult would be proud to give!