Quicksand Recipe

They stand at the edge for a second, looking down. One foot goes in, then the other. They take a few quick steps across the surface.

It holds them.

Back they go. This time, their steps are slower. One foot stays down a little longer and doesn't come back up quite so easily. They pull, and the other foot sinks. One foot comes free as the other sinks deeper. Little legs wiggle and tug until finally, both feet are out.

Then, they go straight back in.

This time, they race across, each foot lifting almost as soon as it touches down.

Someone stops.

Their feet sink. They wiggle free, race across again, and plant both feet somewhere else.

Now they're trying to get stuck.

If your child is already wondering what else sand can do, there is plenty more waiting in our Sand Activities & Recipes for Kids collection.

And for even more things to mix, make, and put into little hands, explore our Play Recipes for Kids collection.

Make Your Own Quicksand

The best part is how little you need to get started.

You will need:

• Play sand
• Cornstarch
• Water
• A large bin or container

Start with roughly equal amounts of sand and cornstarch. Make a smaller batch for little hands, or fill the bottom of a large bin when tiny toes want a turn.

Make the Sand Sink

1. Mix the Sand and Cornstarch

Add equal amounts of play sand and cornstarch to your container and mix them together.

At first, there isn't much to see. Hands rake through the mixture, turning the sand and cornstarch together until the streaks of white begin disappearing.

Then the water goes in.

2. Add the Water Slowly

Pour in a small amount of water and begin mixing.

The first splash disappears quickly. Add another, then keep turning, squeezing, and pressing the mixture together as damp little clumps begin forming beneath their fingers.

Go slowly. A little water can change the mixture quickly, and you can always add another splash.

Soon, the sand starts pushing back.

A handful that fell apart a moment ago can be squeezed together. Moving hands press against something firmer, while fingers left still begin slipping deeper.

3. Find the Quicksand

This part is easier to feel than measure. Press a hand quickly against the surface. The quicksand should push back. Now, leave it there.

Slowly, the hand begins to sink.

If the mixture still feels too dry, add another small splash of water, mix well, and try again.

Push quickly.

Hold still.

There it is!

Make the Quicksand Yours

A little more sand gets worked through, and little hands reach back in, squeezing and pressing to feel the difference. Another splash of water sends them stirring again, until the quicksand slips more easily through their fingers and swallows whatever they press inside.

Each small change brings a new way to play with the same bin of quicksand. They make it thick enough to pile beneath their hands, then soften it until those same piles slowly sink back down. They squeeze it, scoop it, and pour it until another idea comes along.

“Can we make it sink faster?”

Why Do You Sink?

The quicksand can hold a child racing across it, then slowly swallow those same feet the moment they stop.

How can it do both?

It comes down to how quickly they move against the mixture. Press, step, or push against it quickly and the cornstarch and water resist that sudden force, making the quicksand feel firmer beneath little hands and feet. Slow down or hold still, and the mixture can flow more easily around them.

That's why quick feet can stay near the surface while still feet slowly sink.

If Your Quicksand Feels Different

Quicksand can be a little different every time you make it. The sand, cornstarch, water, and even small changes in the amounts can affect how quickly it moves.

If yours feels too dry, add a small splash of water and mix again. If you've added too much water, work in a little more sand and cornstarch. Make small adjustments, mixing well between each one, until the quicksand pushes back against moving hands but slowly gives way when they hold still.

It doesn't have to behave exactly like ours. A firmer batch might be perfect for little feet racing across the top, while a softer one lets fingers and toes sink a little faster.

There isn't one perfect batch to get right.

The fun is finding yours.

Quicksand FAQ

Can I make quicksand without sand?

You can make a similar mixture using only cornstarch and water, but it won't be quite the same quicksand we made here. The play sand gives this recipe its gritty texture and makes the whole experience feel much more like sinking into sand.

What kind of sand should I use?

We use play sand. Its fine texture mixes easily with the cornstarch and works well for this kind of sensory play.

Can I make a smaller batch?

Absolutely. Keep the sand and cornstarch in roughly equal amounts, then add water slowly until you reach the consistency you want.

A smaller container is perfect when little hands are doing the sinking. If you want enough room for feet, you'll need a larger batch and bin.

What Else Can Sand Do?

Glow Sand
Turn down the lights and watch ordinary-looking sand begin to glow beneath little hands.

Sand Volcano
Build with the sand first, then send a fizzy eruption bubbling right through the middle.

Sand Slime
Stretch it, squish it, and discover an entirely different way for sand to move between little hands.

And there are plenty more ways to see what sand can do in our Sand Activities & Recipes for Kids collection.

Save this quicksand recipe for the next time little hands are looking for something wonderfully messy to explore.