This sand slime recipe is gritty, stretchy, and totally fun to squish! It’s a super simple sensory activity that’s perfect for summer days, beach-themed fun, or anytime your kids want to get a little creative. With its unique texture and seaside vibe, it’s sure to be a hit with slime lovers of all ages.
Whether you’re planning a summer craft, setting up a beach-themed activity, or just want to try something new, this easy recipe is a fun twist on classic slime. It’s a great way to bring the beach indoors – without the mess of real sand everywhere!
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How to Make Sand Slime
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Combine the first ingredients
- Pour 1/2 cup of clear glue into a bowl.
- Add 1-1/2 teaspoons of baking soda.
- Stir to mix the ingredients together.
- Add sand to the glue mixture. The amount of sand needed will vary depending on the type. We used 4-1/2 Tablespoons of coarse decorative sand. You may want to add the sand a little at a time to get the consistency you want. The mixture should feel gritty.
- Stir until the sand is well combined.
Step 3: Activate the slime
- Activate the slime by adding 2 teaspoons of contact lens solution.
- Stir the mixture until you can’t anymore and it starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Press the mixture down to incorporate all the contact lens solution.
Step 4: Work the slime in your hands
- Pick up the slime out of the bowl and work it in your hands – stretching, kneading, and rolling. It’ll be sticky at first, but don’t panic! Continue working it and using the slime to clean itself off your hands.Continue until the slime no longer sticks to your hands. You can add a couple more drops of contact lens solution if it’s still a bit too sticky.Your sand slime is complete!
- Add some seashells or ocean life figurines for extra beachy fun!
Helpful Tips:
- Use fine craft sand for a smoother texture, or coarse sand for a crunchier, more sensory experience. You can even combine the two to get the best of both worlds!
- Store your sand slime in an airtight container to keep it soft and stretchy for days. If it dries out, add a drop of water and knead it again to refresh it.
What type of sand works best for this sand slime recipe?
We used a coarse decorative sand from our local craft store, but almost any type of sand will work when mixing slime and sand. Play sand is a popular choice for making sand slimes. It has a variety of sizes of granules, so there’s lots of that traditional sand texture.
Craft sand is another option that we tried. Its granules are typically fine and uniform. While it worked in the recipe, it didn’t have enough texture for what we wanted in a sand slime. But if you’re looking for a smoother texture, craft sand is a good option.
How do I fix my sand slime if it’s too sticky or too hard?
If your slime sand recipe is too sticky, try adding a few drops of contact lens solution and knead it in slowly. Go a little at a time, since too much will make the slime rubbery!
If your slime is too hard or stiff, and breaks instead of stretches, it has too much activator in it. Knead in a tiny bit of lotion or glycerin. You can also try letting it sit in a sealed container for a few hours, since slime can soften up on its own once it’s rested for a bit.
What else can I add to my sand slimes?
There are so many fun options for add-ins to sand slime! You can add tiny real sea shells, sea shell charms, or sea creature charms. Or try setting up play scenes with ocean animal figurines or desert animal figurines.
You can also add scents to your sand slime. Choose beach themed fragrances or desert themed scents like cactus bloom or desert oasis.
This DIY sand slime is a fun twist on classic slime, adding a playful gritty texture that makes it extra satisfying to knead and stretch. It’s quick to make and such a great way to bring sensory play to your kitchen table.
Whether you’re crafting a seaside scene or just looking for something new to try, this slime is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages!
Here’s even more summer slime ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
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