![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEGGVeKi5vPCxyCB_QOkinVmDSt3l5urvtS7sSyQ5-BesGNhTKggDv9OLlnKaJfYjQJCvbVYINTlWcQKDI465-dps8izra3F_WTBWrrwEr39Ai2uKIxCV1iGw7th04iF2HAUOxC8iwQE/s320/Glow+sand+recipe+for+play+%2528glow-in-the-dark%2521%2529.jpg)
After a bit of experimenting we found a way to make our own glow-in-the-dark sand! My girls have been having so much fun with this stuff, and it costs mere pennies to make. Are you ready for the recipe?
![DIY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PLAY SAND FOR KIDS. This is so cool! #glowinthedark #glowinthedarkcrafts #homemadesand #playrecipe](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXRth8qUXRKiOuIiVyOZW6ng6jbnfv3fVTDtmEVnETisRLT5WYpSItad6DtI79Cc7rye98Hrn9cfn851sv71U923M38Ggr0vnUqPxgVMw0a38UXrWhk0CKk3T5-HsmNIHswzS2LA-tbs/s1600/glow-in-the-dark+play+sand+recipe+for+kids+.jpg)
You can buy glow-in-the-dark sand, but it is pretty pricey. Why not make your own? The process is fun and easy. This sand is great for sensory play, arts and crafts, & all sorts of other activities, too!
Glowing Sand Recipe
Materials
- Epsom salt
- Zip-seal bags
- Glow-in-the-dark and/or fluorescent paint.
- A blacklight (optional but recommended for best results)
Method
- Place the desired amount of salt into a zip-seal bag, using one bag for each color of sand that you wish to make.
- Add a spoon or two of glowing paint to each bag.
![DIY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PLAY SAND FOR KIDS. This is so cool! #glowinthedark #glowinthedarkcrafts #homemadesand #playrecipe](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptlsNtHjL2i2cl4rikyAHQOiItma1L1mzOrDCftxu_KLjv43jg_NcpVf7hk-hxmhnNcbXCIsjmqmv0z6cSMQHz8TSNTXiFieFwEpnqbUZuaeZAQ30u7fwnGBR9lSxTsfRRCFmnOaff24/s1600/glow-in-the-dark+sand+recipe+for+kids+%2528homemade+glowing+sand%2529.jpg)
- Seal the bag(s) and mix until all of the salt crystals are saturated in color. Add more paint if needed.
- Once the salt crystals are fully saturated you can leave the salt to dry right inside the bags.
![DIY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PLAY SAND FOR KIDS. This is so cool! #glowinthedark #glowinthedarkcrafts #homemadesand #playrecipe](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs5XtEPL9Q7xiIPURwhVmc7Vvh5FGKNW3AV9os7vylZbLuadOTs8q6VIov6uqo7dXRRMphfdfRzl09QqZCjfSWAIiaehOagryJQY6v3N79JtvYIdyEUvBe3cr09SIFY8VyABWu5Rzdoo/s1600/glow-in-the-dark+sand+you+can+make+at+home.jpg)
- Opening the bags will help the salt to dry faster. You could also lay the salt out on cookie sheets for faster drying if desired.
- After a few hours of drying time you will be left with beautiful, glowing sand!
![DIY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PLAY SAND FOR KIDS. This is so cool! #glowinthedark #glowinthedarkcrafts #homemadesand #playrecipe](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyS0vAGjZ3axe3Me5rHIhoRbwOPb0AWoqLLB51V_uISamWdUAfcZXRHmGU48eY58FKMLzKpd4O_8IIIZG11CFt63110qHADjZpu_kZ5AbT6Fqwc61PB7xTMIpWuyNZdC6fbtb6VnuCZrU/s1600/homemade+glow-in-the-dark+sand+for+kids.jpg)
- The salt may clump together a bit as it dries but will easily break apart once it is handled.
![DIY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PLAY SAND FOR KIDS. This is so cool! #glowinthedark #glowinthedarkcrafts #homemadesand #playrecipe](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqf9wZS0dAIkwJmKcJXQjzeIUgrT7riGtuA8Snu7emHKQGaeCTVeczEZR8VxFrdFvsJr1_elnWI3fyai9Ng2jqDw0IjIc6UaEHwJAXD_hpFlpEia9mUEX8oPEPtXvZnasi3gAv8EoVqg/s1600/homemade+glowing+sand+recipe+for+play.jpg)
- Once the salt is dry pour it into a sensory bin or storage container, and the fun can begin!
![DIY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PLAY SAND FOR KIDS. This is so cool! #glowinthedark #glowinthedarkcrafts #homemadesand #playrecipe](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyuZYFyZg-HwPyrpEqnbFksRSD2dqGPZkJjJvOflbUbHVkJ9O2DgmNLDhU2uQGBNpzT_WuEP9cGxopPCltnZ4cqBFxTWPp-yyifdxmo4JEnfeOACi6ZX6MJznezwBmu2sbdKMCOD7vtk/s1600/glow+sand+for+kids+45.jpg)
![DIY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PLAY SAND FOR KIDS. This is so cool! #glowinthedark #glowinthedarkcrafts #homemadesand #playrecipe](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx4ybTFFy3I5zTjH9nlFsjVS3YcmEB3QKVQYAGeYroaBFBmkYnscj1OO2eSfUVG9VDtSqIM58XgXGD98x6hk8nsDXyC6KmAHq2lsSP52XYWeEwZqqBVnh10fAZQlgG4P0l3sZ9xPD9Dg/s1600/glowing+homemade+sand+recipe.jpg)
Add buckets, shovels, kitchen gadgets, cars, and toys to extend the fun.
Glow-in-the-Dark Sand Art
Extend the fun even further by making glow-in-the-dark sand art!
Materials
- Clear containers with lids
- Glow-in-the-dark sand
- A funnel
- Have kids fill empty jars or similar with varying colors of glowing sand, rotating between colors often.
- Once full seal the containers, and then step back & marvel at the beautiful, glowing creations!
![DIY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PLAY SAND FOR KIDS. This is so cool! #glowinthedark #glowinthedarkcrafts #homemadesand #playrecipe](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoyyQQeNtJd1ll2Lk07taO6nC_bgq2VdApJ8GjUPd60zi6xlyxt0TTBh-mPOGqWzRPwJ-vlYXUF_MwZEZRUKVSo6mx8In5bdZBvtuUV_ke2E1hY4FlNziiciaiZ0ZCVNwZkMvWm9fatQ/s1600/glow-in-the-dark+sand+art+%2526+glow+sand+recipe+for+kids.jpg)
A Few Tips:
- You can use any salt for this, but epsom salt is good for the skin and is a fine grain salt, making it perfect for making play sand.
- Adding water to the sand produces amazing melting effects and is a fun way to explore the science of salt and water.
- The glow in the dark paint that we use can be found online here. We also used some of our favorite fluorescent paint so that we could make a complete rainbow of glowing sand colors. If you use fluorescent paint you will need a blacklight. This is the one we currently have.
- To achieve the best effect I do recommend using a blacklight for this activity. You can use a traditional fixture like this one or give these super cool UV-flashlights a try!
Storage: Store your glow-in-the-dark play sand in a zip-seal bag or sand storage bin between play times, and it can be used again & again!
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