Kinetic or living sand (the material that moves) is a mixture of the silicone component and ordinary quartz sand. Kinetic sand comes from Sweden. This is where this innovative developmental toy is made and produced. So, let's talk more about kinetic sand. How to make the material in home and industrial environments? What does it consist of? How to play them profitably?
Characteristics and composition
Kinetic sand - what is it? This is a material that holds its shape well and at the same time has a high flow rate.
The material, being freely poured, looks loose, fluffy. It is pleasant to the touch. When a material is poured, its particles tend to separate under the influence of gravity . However, the binder in the sand is drawn into strands about one to two millimeters long, which are almost invisible to the eye. They slow down the movement of particles, so you can visually track the movement of any grain of sand as in slow motion.
If the sand is sharply compressed, the volume of the material is reduced by half. As a result of external influence, a new form is formed, which persists for a rather long time.
Due to the fact that the composition of kinetic sand has a special silicone binder that envelops the particles and connects them, the material is characterized both by its porous consistency and good density.
Kinetic sand what is made of? The composition of this material is quite simple: 98% of ordinary quartz sand and 2% of silicone polymer, which is actively used in the food industry. It is also an additive of E 900. This product has the color of natural sand. Each batch contains the same fraction.
Kinetic sand: hygiene standards
Despite the fact that silicone binder is present in this material, it does not stick to either hands or clothes. If sand is spilled on the floor, then it will not scatter into separate particles, but will preserve itself in the form of a compact mass. You can easily assemble and use it again. The material remains “wet” constantly, since the silicone component does not dry out even after a long time. It is almost impossible to clog your eyes with this material. Kinetic sand is odorless, does not support the development of microorganisms, does not cause an allergic reaction and is not toxic. He is not afraid of water, therefore, retains its properties, even if wet. Eating this sand, of course, is not recommended, but in a situation of accidental ingestion, neither quartz nor sand interact with gastric juice and, after a certain time, are excreted from the body naturally, without harming the body and causing discomfort. Kinetic sand does not require special storage conditions.
What is the use of kinetic sand for children?
So, we list the main useful properties of such a toy as kinetic sand.
Firstly, playing with this material contributes to the development of fine motor skills for children’s hands.
Secondly, since kinetic sand has a peculiar texture, tactile sensitivity is actively developed in children during class.
Thirdly, playing in the sandbox helps the kid develop a creative imagination.
Fourth, sand manipulations have a beneficial effect on the baby’s emotional state. The game will help children open up and accustom to concentration. Child psychologists are actively using kinetic sand.
Fifth, even playing alone with this material is extremely exciting and, most importantly, useful. And if you engage in a company, it will contribute to the development of communication skills.
Sixthly, parents can not worry about the safety of the child while he is playing in the sandbox. And they will have time for themselves.
Is kinetic sand good for teens?
Kinetic sand - what is it? We can safely say that he is a universal educational toy. It can bring considerable benefits to both children and adolescents.
In adolescence, it is extremely difficult to openly express your feelings and share experiences. In order to get rid of internal stress, you can depict frightening images on the surface of the material, and then draw a possible way out of this situation.
Can kinetic sand also help adults?
Of course. Kinetic sand can be equally useful for adults. It has been experimentally proved that playing with this material relieves stress, promotes relaxation, and activates thinking and imagination.
Office workers, who set a small cup of kinetic sand on their desktop, admitted that they have significantly reduced the level of nervousness and irritability, for example, when talking with colleagues or making phone calls to customers. Warm up your hands with sand, even for a short time, helps a person to relax mentally, and also returns enthusiasm and improves performance, gives positive emotions and new sensations.
Kinetic sand as a universal educational toy
Probably every child likes to sculpt from clay or play in the sandbox. The properties of these materials successfully combines kinetic sand. It has been repeatedly noted that it is a universal toy for the creativity of the baby.
Kinetic sand modeling is extremely useful for any child, because it contributes to the development of imagination, fine motor skills of hands, mental abilities and spatial imagination. This material is a great opportunity to enhance the individual development of your baby, as well as entertain him.
Kinetic sand meets all the requirements that are imposed on children's educational toys, and is environmentally friendly. In circulation, it is both convenient and harmless. In addition, it does not require special storage conditions. You can keep it in any container, but plastic or inflatable sandboxes are especially convenient. When exposed to moisture, the sand must be allowed to dry, and then continue to play with it. Material properties will not be affected. Game material is intended to be reusable.
Live sand does not stick to your hands, does not clog your eyes and does not cause an allergic reaction. The one and only recommendation: the presence of an adult to prevent ingestion of material.
By purchasing kinetic sand, you give your child a reusable educational toy, as well as a lot of joy.
Games for the smallest
Kinetic sand - what is it? Educational toy! Child psychologists unanimously reiterate that playing with this material is not only exciting, but also necessary so that the baby develops harmoniously.
What else is worth knowing about kinetic sand? How does this stuff work? There are special game exercises for which kinetic sand is used as an effective means of therapy. For example, for the treatment of childhood autism and the removal of child hyperactivity syndrome.
Game Accessories
For classes with kinetic sand, today there is a large selection of gaming accessories on sale. For example, sets with original tools and molds, special tables, inflatable sandboxes. All this will help to maintain cleanliness at the site of the game, and also make the game safe directly at home.
Kinetic sand goes on sale in cardboard packaging. Material weight - 1 or 5 kg. For group classes, respectively, are large packages.
Sandbox Modeling Exercises
Kinetic sand - what is it? First of all, an inexhaustible source of both child and adult inspiration. Below we offer several games using a toy such as kinetic sand.
How to play and organize a lesson using this toy? Independent fun with this material is recommended for children from three years of age and older. In some cases, adult participation is required to organize the game.
So, you have gained kinetic sand. How to sculpt with benefit? With the help of tools and molds, the baby will try himself as a sculptor or erect architectural structures from kinetic sand.
The game "Find the differences." The kid draws a simple picture with a finger on the surface of the sand, after which he shows it to an adult. At this time, he turns away. An adult should draw some details of the image, and then show it to the child, who should name the changes that have occurred in the picture. During the game, a child and an adult can change roles.
The game "Extraordinary footprints." The baby needs to put his palms and fists on kinetic sand, move his hands in different directions, hit with his fingertips on the surface of the material, make it wavy, and also move your fingers at the same time. The goal of the game is to imitate the traces of animals, birds, insects and reptiles.
Where can I get it?
Such a thing as kinetic sand is best purchased at a special store for children's goods. Do not forget to check before buying that the product is certified.
An online store is an equally convenient way to purchase kinetic sand. On the sites before buying, you can get acquainted with the characteristics of this product, customer reviews and recommendations for use. On most sites of online stores posted informative videos that demonstrate the potential of live sand as a developmental toy for children. At the same resources you can buy inflatable sandboxes, various game sets, as well as special tables for classes with this material.
Kinetic sand: how to store and use the material?
First of all, it should be noted that this material is issued in full compliance with safety recommendations. Kinetic sand is very practical, but it is sensitive to moisture. If you want the material to serve you for a long time, you must follow these guidelines.
1) Use sand should be with humidity in the room less than 60% and at room temperature. If the material gets wet, you need to give it time to dry on its own.
2) If the room is too dry, then kinetic sand may become coarser. In order for it to become fluffy again, it is necessary to grind a few drops of water in the palms and play with it a little. The material itself cannot dry, since it does not have water in its composition.
3) It is necessary to ensure that the sand is out of the reach of pets.
4) Under the influence of the sun, kinetic sand does not lose its properties.
5) Sand does not have its own smell, but it is able to absorb that which comes from the hands. Therefore, before you start playing, you need to wash them and thoroughly wipe them.
6) You can not add dye to the sand, as this will ruin its properties.
7) Kinetic sand should be stored in a closed inflatable sandbox or in an airtight container. This will protect the material from dust, excessive moisture and foreign objects.
8) If you accidentally spilled sand, then you can collect it by hand or with a vacuum cleaner. Sand grains do not stick to the surface.
Is it possible to do at home?
Kinetic sand is quite popular today. However, many mothers are concerned about the question of whether it can be reproduced at home. So, kinetic sand how to make at home?
Our answer: similar sand can be made at home. But he will be exactly "similar." It can be made from aquarium sand, which is sold in a pet supplies store, or you can use sand that you brought, for example, from the cote d'azur. However, it must first be sieved and calcined in the oven.
And then kinetic sand how to make at home? Mix four cups of sifted sand, two cups of starch and one cup of water. Done!