In this BLOG post I will share the recipe for Pumpkin Pie Moon Sand, storage tips and safety tips.
Moon sand is THE BEST. It is soft, squishy, buildable AND moldable. It lends itself to any theme and can be differentiated in so many ways!
Our fall version adds an extra layer of sensory goodness to an already amazing sensory base: it smells INCREDIBLE!!
You can scoop it, pour it or dump it. You can use molds, cookie cutters or small buckets to make sandcastles. You can add in gems or plastic animals or any kind of seasonal trinket you like.
The best part is, you may have all of the materials that you need at home already!
What are the benefits of sensory play? Glad you asked!
Sensory play supports:
Language development & vocabulary
Cognitive growth
Fine motor skills (small muscle movements)
Gross motor skills (big movements)
Problem-solving skills
Communication
Exploration of textures
One's ability to make connections
The concept of cause & effect
Sensory play can also be a safe and effective way to release BIG emotions. Smashing and pushing and smooshing the moon sandcastles can be so satisfying!
Materials:
Flour
Pumpkin pie spice
Vegetable oil
Mixing bowl
Measuring cup
Sensory tray or bowl
Step 1: Gather your materials and set up your sensory spot.
Step 2: Pour all of the ingredients into a bowl & mix well.
Step 3: Once the oil is incorporated, I like to go in with my hands and really blend all of the materials together. This also gives you a feel for the moon sand: if it feels sticky, add a bit more flour. If it feels too dry, add a bit more oil! The texture should be soft and squishy. You should be able to easily make a sandcastle but also easily crumble it away.
Step 4: Add in your favorite trinkets and PLAY!
IMPORTANT:
There is a difference between taste safe and edible. This recipe is not meant for full consumption. If your kiddo is still heavily exploring with their mouths I would save this one for later!
In order for this to be considered taste safe, you must bake the flour on a sheet pan at 350° for 10-15 minutes. This kills any bacteria that may be found in the flour.
Ways to extend your learning and play:
Add in your favorite scoops and bowls and build castles.
Add in plastic or wooden letters. Practice identifying their names and sounds as you play. You could also bury them in the sand for a fun search, find and identify game!
Add in pumpkin cookie cutters to the sensory bin.
Add in small plastic or wooden pumpkins and then pull them out with tongs or tweezers. This is AMAZING fine motor work!!
APFL Tips:
Storage:
Store moon sand in an airtight container (Ziploc bag or Tupperware container) for up to 3 weeks. If you notice any mold, discard immediately.
Spices:
If you don't have pumpkin pie spice (or prefer not to use it), try these alternatives:
Apple pie spice
Cinnamon
Cocoa powder
PLAIN- you can make moon sand with flour and oil and it still is just as fun and squishy and wonderful!
Food coloring:
You CAN use food coloring if you want, but it is tricky to get the color to mix with the oil. I find you have to mix it VERY well with your hands to incorporate the color in, but it can be done!!
Clean-Up:
Sweep up and discard any moon sand that has fallen in the trash. Store the remainder in an airtight container. When you are done completely with your batch of moon sand, dispose of it in the trash. Do NOT put down the drain. If you are playing with this outdoors, be mindful of the fact that it is food based and can attract animals/bugs if left unattended.
You get to decide what is safe and manageable in your home. Always monitor young children.
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