Excavation: Sensory play with kinetic sand

All children love dinosaurs and playing archaeologists. Excavation is a wonderful sensory activity that stimulates the senses of touch, proprioception (deep feeling), smell, and sight . It's excellent for developing concentration and patience. It's perfect for learning about nature and geology through experimentation.

• A large bowl or litter box
• Corn flour
• Oil
• Brushes
• Treasures to bury in the sand.

TIP: You can store kinetic sand prepared this way in a closed container for up to several months.

Scenario for the excavation game

Kinetic sand is used to play excavation . What is kinetic sand, also known as moon sand, and is it even sand?

Kinetic sand (moon sand) is a mixture of flour and oil that imitates wet sand. Thanks to its properties, children can easily use it to build sandcastles or mold muffins. We made moon sand from cornmeal and oil and hid dinosaur remains inside! The kids were delighted to discover these prehistoric creatures!

Step 1: Kinetic Sand Recipe

Make moon sand. In a large, flat container, mix cornmeal at a ratio of 1 kg of flour to 0.25-0.3 liters of vegetable oil. Ideal moon sand has the consistency of wet sand – it's loose, but you can roll it into a ball.

Step 2: Bury the treasures

We bury natural treasures or small toys in the prepared sand. We can hide shells, stones, or fossils in it. Fossil replicas can be purchased inexpensively in pet stores or aquariums. If you don't have natural treasures, bury small toys in the sand, such as dinosaur figurines or pirate treasure.

Step 3: Time to dig

Time to explore! Give your child some paintbrushes and a small shovel. Explain how a real archaeologist excavates fossils. This activity will teach your child concentration, patience, and gentleness.

Benefits of Playing with Moon Sand

This game stimulates the sense of touch, proprioception, and vision, and is also an excellent exercise in concentration and patience . It's perfect for learning about nature and geology through experimentation. It teaches patience and concentration.

Go crazy with accessories

You can add additives like glitter or dyes to the sand, giving it a fairytale-like dimension. For best results, mix the dry ingredients first and then add the oil.