Today, not only various children's computer games are being improved and updated, but also traditional fun. So, now there is an excellent alternative to leisure time in an ordinary sandbox - creative activities with kinetic sand. Read reviews of such products from different manufacturers and decide which product is best to buy for your child.
What is kinetic sand
This material is an excellent development for children’s home games right in the apartment. The substance consists almost entirely of fine sand, but thanks to the addition of a special synthetic material to it, the individual grains are connected by polymer fibers. Kinetic plasticine for children acquires plastic properties, does not dry out, does not stick to hands and does not get dirty. Because of these improved qualities, it deservedly received the name “plasticine-sand” for children, because it can be used to make a wide variety of crafts that a child can come up with.
Many parents, when they first see such a toy, are confused by the considerable price of the product in comparison with an ordinary natural mineral. For these buyers, before buying a creative product for a child, it will be useful to read a description of the possibilities of its use and a list of important differences from traditional material. Kinetic play sand for modeling has the following basic properties:
- does not contain components harmful to health, as well as various types of garbage that can be found in a regular sandbox;
- always has the consistency of wet sand, making it easy to sculpt the most bizarre figures that retain their shape well;
- you can work with it both with plastic and as crumbly material;
- it is convenient to use in the house (sculpt in a special sandbox tray or directly on the table) - its composition will not leave sticky marks, and individual grains of sand, like magnetic ones, will easily gather to the main lump;
- multi-colored: may have a natural shade or have blue, pink, green or other bright colors;
- does not lose its properties when wet - after it dries, it is ready for use again;
- used in children's leisure activities, but at the same time brings practical benefits for the child: develops finger motor skills, relieves excitability;
- suitable for children aged 3 years and older (you can play with this material earlier if the child does not put it in his mouth);
- has no expiration date - retains its dynamic properties for a long time.
Composition
The material can be found on sale under different names. Smart sand for children, liquid, telescopic, cybernetic, cosmic, lunar - these are synonyms for mass. You need to know that the production of different brands is based on similar technological process. A polymer and dye are added to the natural ceramic mineral, which is first thoroughly sifted and calcined to remove all harmful impurities. The sand to additive ratio is often 98% and 2%, but sometimes for higher viscosity it is 90% and 10%.
Kinetic Sand
This product is for children's creativity presented in a wide range - on sale you can find packages of different weights, with a huge variety of colors. Not only kids, but also adults love to feel its soft, airy texture on their palms. From a variety of products you can choose the material in its pure form or purchase a whole set for creativity along with a sandbox and various figures:
- Name: Kinetic Sand brown;
- Price: 916 RUR;
- Characteristics: packaging weighing 910 g, the color of the material is similar to sea sand;
- Pros: causes pleasant tactile sensations; flows easily, but does not crumble around; does not dry out, which allows you to play with it for a long time; does not stick to your hands;
- Cons: you need to buy a sandbox and accessories separately.
Another great option material for children's creativity is presented complete with molds. With it, your baby will be interested in learning new colors and mastering shapes:
- Name: Kinetic Sand colored with molds;
- Price: 1243 RUR;
- Characteristics: packaging weighing 340 g; the material is presented in 2 sets - “Dog Kennel” (a combination of purple and green) and “Palaeontological Excavations” (blue and brown);
- Pros: using molds you can make expressive, colorful figures, the material is non-toxic;
- Cons: when mixing different colors, they can no longer be separated; the presence of accessories affected the cost of the product.
Waba Fun
The product of this Swedish company has rightfully earned the love of the children. The product line includes a variety of bright colors, and the ability to additionally select the necessary accessories only adds positive reviews from grateful customers.
- Name: Waba Fun color;
- Price: 1598 – 2324 rubles;
- Characteristics: packaging of material of one color (blue, yellow, pink, etc.) weighing 2.270 kg, the product is sold with a sandbox;
- Pros: with a large amount of material, you can make many toy crafts at the same time; safe, non-toxic;
- Cons: for a full-fledged creative process, you need to buy additional molds.
Articles and the following product from the same company can be a good basis for children's creativity:
- Name: Waba Fun two-color;
- Price: 1598 – 2324 rubles;
- Characteristics: the set contains 2 packs of sand in two colors (each 1.135 kg) and a sandbox;
- Pros: when mixing different colors you can get new shades; safe, non-toxic material;
- Cons: no molds.
Lepa
Products of this brand are found under the trade name “touching sand” - this is how the domestic manufacturer emphasizes that you will want to touch this magical toy again and again! In the Lepa line you can find an innovative development - thermochromic pigment.
- Name: Modeling set Lepa Touching sand;
- Price: 350 rub.
- Specifications: 500 g packaging, without accessories.
- Pros: completely replicates the color and texture of wet sea sand, but at the same time dry and non-greasy to the touch; does not get dirty, is not afraid of moisture; safe, non-toxic; noticeable difference in price compared to a foreign product.
- Cons: no variety of colors.
The following product from the same manufacturer has a very interesting feature - changing color:
- Modeling kit Lepa Thermochromic sand;
- Price: 610 rub.;
- Pros: has the property of magically changing colors under the influence of the heat of the palms; safe to use;
- Cons: the thermochromic property affects the price.
Cosmic kinetic sand
This wonderful educational toy is also made in Russia. On the product packaging there is the word “plastic” - this indicates that the figures will mold well and keep their shape:
- Name: Space plastic sand for children;
- Price: 295 RUR;
- Characteristics: packaging weighing 500 g, without accessories;
- Pros: wide selection of material colors - natural or bright, rich shades; safe to use; low price;
- Cons: if the child’s palms are wet, they may stick; falls apart during play.
Pay attention to the following product, which can be an excellent thematic preparation for a variety of... interesting games:
- Title: Space Sand Sea World;
- Price: 1630 RUR;
- Characteristics: package of blue base weighing 3 kg, sandbox, molds, book with descriptions of games;
- Pros: absolutely safe for children;
- Disadvantages: it is inconvenient to play with it in the hot season - it sticks to the palms; it is afraid of direct sunlight and getting wet.
Angel Sand
This product is made in South Korea. Along with many properties that are traditionally inherent this species material, the difference between Angel Sand is its smaller fraction and a higher percentage of polymer in the composition.
- Name: Angel Sand creativity kit;
- Price: 1320 RUR;
- Characteristics: packaging weighing 700 g, the product is offered in different colors, including white;
- Pros: airy, almost weightless to the touch; calm, pastel colors; thanks to the fine fraction, denser figures are obtained; does not stick to hands;
- Cons: dissolves in water.
The next option will especially appeal to girls, who will certainly enjoy making different types of ice cream from the base:
- Name: Angel Sand Ice Cream Creative Kit;
- Price: RUB 3,795;
- Characteristics: 4 packs of multi-colored sand, sandbox, molds;
- Main advantages: crumbly, during active play the volume increases almost 2 times; does not harden; does not stick to hands; non-toxic;
- Cons: dissolves when wet.
Spin Master
This product from a Canadian company is a very popular brand. Different colors, a very pleasant, silky structure, the ability to buy the material separately or a ready-made set is very attractive to buyers.
- Name: Spin Master Kinetic Sand two-tone;
- Price: RUB 1,939;
- Characteristics: packaging weighing 454 g with a base of two colors;
- Pros: does not crumble, is easy to clean, does not stick to hands, safe for children;
- Cons: high price.
Can be a wonderful gift for a baby this product the same manufacturer. It holds its shape perfectly and allows you to create any figures:
- Name: Spin Master Kinetic Sand;
- Price: 1480 RUR;
- Characteristics: packaging weighing 454 g with a base of one color;
- Pros: pleasant texture; does not crumble, easy to clean; not sticky; safe for children.
- Cons: high cost.
LORI
Another inexpensive representative of the domestic brand in this category. The buyer will find different thematic sets in this product line, and then will be able to additionally purchase new colors that the child likes.
- Name: Kinetic sand LORI;
- Price: RUR 316;
- Characteristics: packaging weighing 1 kg with a base of the same color, sandbox;
- Main advantages: packed in a plastic bucket; you can choose different shades; holds its shape well; safe and non-toxic.
- Cons: The dye gets a little dirty.
If your baby loves to spend time modeling with plasticine, pay attention to the following product. It holds its shape perfectly and practically does not dry out:
- Name: Rainbow sand LORI;
- Price: 228 rub.
- Characteristics: 4 packages of different colors with a total weight of 600 g, sandbox, molds.
- Pros: each type is packaged in a separate plastic container; holds its shape well, does not dry out; inexpensive.
- Cons: the dye gets dirty, so the base leaves marks on your hands and furniture.
How to choose kinetic sand
When purchasing creative materials, pay attention to a number of recommendations. Kinetic sand for modeling can be bought in an online store, but it is better to order from a catalog through the official website of the manufacturer - you will protect yourself from the risk of buying a cheap fake made in China. Weigh the benefits of buying one color and a set. It will be more convenient to store living sand for children in a special tray with a lid and use thematic shapes, rather than purchasing inexpensively only the base and then looking for accessories. It will cost less as a kit.
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Ecology of life. Children: All children love to create from unusual materials. And if they created them themselves together with their mother, with their own hands, creativity becomes even more interesting! We have selected 10 materials for creativity and play that are easy to prepare at home.
All children love to create from unusual materials. And if they created them themselves together with their mother, with their own hands, creativity becomes even more interesting! We have selected 10 materials for creativity and play that are easy to prepare at home.
Play dough (similar to Play doh)
This plasticine is suitable for the little ones, as it can be tasted, it does not stick to the palms and is very soft.
1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp. vegetable oil, 3 tbsp. salt and 1 tsp. Mix the citric acid powder and pour it into the frying pan.
Stir over low heat for about a minute until the mixture hardens. Mash the resulting lump thoroughly, divide it into parts and add a pinch of dye of the desired color. You can add a drop of essential oils with the scent of fruit, then you will get a set of tutti-frutti. It should be stored in closed jars.
Kinetic sand
This is soft and pleasant to the touch sand that holds its shape. Sifted sand can be purchased at a pet store or in the garden goods department.
Corn starch can be replaced with potato starch, but then the sand will dry out and will need to be diluted with water. For 5 cups of sand you will need 2.5 cups of cornstarch and a glass of water. Mix everything well, place in a plastic container with molds and enjoy the game.
Cold porcelain
This self-hardening modeling compound is very pleasant to the touch. Crafts made from this mass dry in the air, become durable and white.
Mix 1 cup of baking soda with half a cup of cornstarch and pour into a saucepan. Add 3/4 of cold water, mix thoroughly and cook over low heat, stirring all the time, until the mass looks like mashed potatoes. Don't overcook it! Cool the resulting mass, knead it thoroughly and put it in a jar. Craftsmen make medallions, children's toy dishes, and even mini-constructors from it. For older girls, you can add glitter to the mixture.
Chalks for asphalt
To make your own crayons you will need plaster, water and acrylic paints. First, choose a shape for the crayons. You can make giant crayons in toilet paper cylinders or use old markers.
It is better to line the molds with polyethylene to make it easier to remove the chalk. Mix 3 cups of gypsum with 1.5 cups of water, add dye and pour into the mold. Stir until air bubbles come out of the plaster. When the crayons have hardened, remove them from the molds and go for a walk. The crayons are making a splash on the playground!
Handgam
Hand gum (or nanoplay dough) can be prepared in your home laboratory. She will be an absolute hit in the company of boys. It becomes hard and viscous in your hands, spreads across the table, and is very pleasant to knead, relieving tension.
You will need fresh PVA glue, borax in glycerin (sodium tetraborate, sold at the pharmacy) and dye, which can be replaced with a drop of brilliant green. In half a glass of warm water, stir a tablespoon of borax and dye, add two glasses of PVA glue. Do not overfill the borax; the less it is, the more elastic the mass. Place the resulting extraterrestrial substance in a bag and knead thoroughly. Voila! You can play. Store in the refrigerator, if it dries out, moisten with water and knead.
Finger paint
All components of these paints are edible, which means they are suitable even for very young artists.
Water, 1 cup flour, 4 tbsp. spoons of salt and ½ tbsp. mix tablespoons of vegetable oil, beat with a mixer, add food coloring. Some people heat paints in the microwave, but you can paint without heating.
Wax crayons of unusual shape
It's no secret that wax crayons crumble and break. Collect fragments of the same color, put them in silicone baking dishes and put them in the oven. The child will help arrange the crayons by color, and then will happily draw fish and heart shapes with crayons.
DIY stained glass paints
Everything ingenious is simple! Mix 2 tablespoons of PVA glue with dye and draw the future stained glass window on a file or smooth plastic. When the picture is dry, you can decorate a mirror or window with it. You can also paint a vase or jar for a flashlight.
Papier-mâché mass
Collect paper egg trays or pieces of paper, add boiling water, mix with a mixer.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of PVA and knead the mass with your hands, placing it in a bag. You can sculpt beads and figures from this mass; they are light and durable.
Sweet mastic for modeling
This sweet modeling paste would make a great material for a magical café.
Dilute 10 grams of gelatin with water, melt in a water bath, add citric acid at the tip of a knife and mix thoroughly with 500 grams of powdered sugar. You can sculpt a sweet country by connecting parts with a drop of water.
Happy creativity! published
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We have been familiar with plasticine since childhood. Surely every mother buys plasticine for her children. But how many people are familiar with kinetic plasticine? To be honest, I heard about it for the first time and was very happy to try it with my daughter. We have had kinetic sand at home for a long time, and I was very interested in comparing how it differs from plasticine.
General information.
Quantity: There are 8 pieces in my package - 4 different colors.
Compound :
loose polymer material, polymer binder, food coloring.
The composition is indicated on the packaging.
My set contains 4 colors: pink, green, blue and yellow. In my opinion, for a child of 2.6 years old, you can first try just such a set of four colors, since the imagination of children at that age is not yet very developed to sculpt unusual figures. And for basic crafts, such as buns, caterpillars and flowers, this number of flowers is suitable and will not take up much space in the house.
I want to show each color separately.
Blue:
Yellow:
Green:
Pink:
All shades are very rich and beautiful. They do not contain inclusions or impurities of other colors. They are very homogeneous.
It's very difficult to convey in a photo consistency product, but still I will try:
It is soft, but at the same time dense. When warmed up in the palms it becomes more pliable. Therefore, it is more difficult to work with cold plasticine. It is best to preheat it in your palms. Easily takes any shape.
When stretched, plasticine turns into crumbly sand. At the same time, it more than doubles.
It wrinkles easily and is very pleasant, soft and gentle in your hands. Yes, it is a bit reminiscent of kinetic sand, but I found differences.
Differences between sand and plasticine:
- plasticine easily turns into figures, you can mold anything from it;
- plasticine is more viscous than sand. The figures made from it do not crumble immediately;
- plasticine can be baked in the oven and then painted with paints;
- sand, in my opinion, stretches into a thread more than plasticine;
- plasticine is more flexible. It holds its shape well if you make figures using molds;
- plasticine is bouncy. If you make a bun and hit it on the floor, it will jump to a height of about 20-30 cm;
- plasticine does not sink in water. Sand falls apart in water.
- safe;
- you can play in the water;
- can be baked in the oven and painted;
- bright colors;
- does not paint hands;
- does not get under the nails;
- easily washed off or shaken off hands;
- exciting game;
- calms the nerves even of adults;
- tactilely very pleasant;
- you can play with molds;
- falls apart quickly if not baked;
- it is difficult to fasten large parts;
My daughter really likes to play with plasticine like a bouncy ball. We make koloboks and play.
I'm still an artist. Here is our effort with my daughter:
As you can see, you can mold different colors together, just like we are used to doing from ordinary plasticine. But the difference between kinetic plasticine and ordinary plasticine in this case is that kinetic plasticine quickly falls apart if you do not bake it in the oven. It only holds its shape if you don't disturb it. If a child wants to play with handmade figurines, I recommend immediately putting them in the oven, since the game will not work otherwise.
Our grandmother is a little more skilled than us, she was able to make a pig. I hope it looks like a pig:
It was difficult to attach the head to the body. Therefore, I recommend not making too large parts from this plasticine, it will be very difficult to fasten them together. It is more intended for smaller toys.
In general, this plasticine calms the nerves very well and our grandmother loves to sit and sculpt with her daughter from this plasticine.
Here's what else she did.
As you can see in the photo, the rosette around the edges is trying to run away. In fact, it holds its shape well, but it looks so loose.
This gives a special charm to some crafts. If you bake it this way, it will remain just as beautiful.
My daughter is still too young to sculpt complex things on her own, but she managed to make such a bun. After which she began to play with him as if he were a jumper.
All the colors that we have in the set are very uniform, but mix with each other easily and quickly. Therefore, when playing games, you need to make sure that they do not mix, otherwise you will get a gray-brown-crimson color :)
When plasticine lies idle in its jar, it looks and feels quite dense and even hard. When heated in the palms, it becomes more sticky and pliable. Therefore, I recommend not sculpting from “cold” plasticine, but warming it up well in your hands first. Then the figures will keep their shape well.
In general, I noticed that with kinetic plasticine it is better and more convenient to play with molds. It pulls out perfectly and keeps its shape well afterwards.
Pros:
Minuses:
Let me sum it up .
Kinetic plasticine is a very unusual product. It will be fun to play with both very young children, under the supervision and control of their parents, and older children. At the age of 6, a child will be able to sculpt a whole world out of it, and parents will bake figures and then paint with him. If you don’t have a lot of imagination and your hands are growing in the wrong place like mine, it will be great to play with it using molds. In this case, the shape of the figurine is retained longer, and there is no need to try to figure out what and how to sculpt. Of course, I recommend kinetic plasticine. For variety, you can play for both children and adults :)
We have selected cool recipes for preparing substances for creativity at home.
Play dough (similar to Play doh)
This plasticine is suitable for the little ones, as it can be tested on the tooth, it does not stick to the hands and is easily kneaded.
1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp. vegetable oil, 3 tbsp. salt and 1 tsp. Mix the citric acid powder and pour it into the frying pan. Stir over low heat for about a minute until the mixture hardens. Mash the resulting lump thoroughly, divide it into parts and add a pinch of dye of the desired color. You can add a drop of fruit-scented essential oils. It should be stored in closed jars.
Kinetic sand
This is soft and pleasant to the touch sand that holds its shape.
You will need cornstarch and sifted sand. Such sand can be bought at a pet store or in the garden goods department, and corn starch can be replaced with potato starch, but then the sand will dry out and will need to be diluted with water. For 5 cups of sand you will need 2.5 cups of cornstarch and a glass of water. Mix everything well, place in a plastic container with molds and enjoy the game.
Cold porcelain
This self-hardening modeling compound is very pleasant to the touch. Such crafts dry in the air, become durable and white.
Mix 1 cup of baking soda with half a cup of cornstarch and pour into a saucepan. Add 3/4 of cold water, mix thoroughly and cook over low heat, stirring all the time, until the mixture resembles mashed potatoes. Don't overcook it! Cool the resulting mass, knead it thoroughly and put it in a jar. Craftsmen make medallions, children's toy dishes, and even mini-constructors from it. You can also add glitter to the mixture.
Chalks for asphalt
To make your own crayons you will need plaster, water and acrylic paints. First, choose a shape for the crayons. You can make giant crayons in toilet paper cylinders or use old markers.
It is better to line the molds with polyethylene to make it easier to remove the chalk. Mix 3 cups of gypsum with 1.5 cups of water, add dye and pour into the mold. Stir until air bubbles come out of the plaster. When the crayons have hardened, remove them from the molds and go for a walk. The crayons are making a splash on the playground!
Finger paint
All components of these paints are edible, which means they are suitable even for very young artists.
Water (pour until the mass becomes liquid), 1 cup flour, 4 tbsp. spoons of salt and ½ tbsp. mix tablespoons of vegetable oil, beat with a mixer, add food coloring. Some people heat paints in the microwave, but you can paint without heating.
Wax crayons of unusual shape
Wax crayons often crumble and break. Collect scraps of the same color, place in silicone baking dishes and place in the oven. The child will help arrange the crayons by color, and then will happily draw fish and heart shapes with crayons.
DIY stained glass paints
Mix 2 tablespoons of PVA glue with dye and draw the future stained glass window on a file or smooth plastic. When the picture is dry, you can decorate a mirror or window with it. You can also paint a vase or jar for a flashlight.
Papier-mâché mass
Collect paper egg trays or pieces of paper, add boiling water, mix with a mixer.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of PVA and knead the mass with your hands, placing it in a bag. You can sculpt beads and figures from this mass; they are light and durable.
Sweet mastic for modeling
This sweet modeling paste would make a great material for a magical café.
Dilute 10 grams of gelatin with water, melt in a water bath, add citric acid at the tip of a knife and mix thoroughly with 500 grams of powdered sugar. You can sculpt a sweet country by connecting parts with a drop of water.
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