Why does my kinetic sand stick to my hands?
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Kinetic sand is a popular toy product that many children can't get enough of.
But you may be wondering why the kinetic sand sticks to your child's hands. It should only stick to itself, right?
Make sure your hands are dry and not sweaty when playing with kinetic sand.
If you have slightly wet or sweaty palms, the kinetic sand may stick to your hands.
But, as soon as your hands are dry again, you can wipe the sand off again.
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This is why kinetic sand sticks to your hands
A brief introduction to kinetic sand: kinetic sand is non-toxic, hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial, making it extremely safe for children to play with.
It is suitable for children with an age from 3 years old.
Kinetic sand has a lot of advantages. The sand is fine and soft. And because it is so malleable, you can easily make different shapes with it.
In addition, it is perfect for sensory play to improve creative skills and stimulate children's imaginations.
It shouldn't stick (just to itself), so it won't be a mess.
If you've ever touched kinetic sand, you've probably noticed that kinetic sand is a special material.
Unlike ordinary sand, kinetic sand can almost 'flow' and thus move like a liquid, while at the same time being able to form like a clay.
Kinetic sand is therefore sometimes referred to as 'magic sand'. It consists of 98% ordinary sand and 2% polydimethylsiloxane, a type of silicone oil.
If you're having problems with kinetic sand sticking to your hands, it could be because of a number of things I'll discuss below.
The kinetic sand is too wet
What you often hear users of kinetic sand say is that it can sometimes be very sticky and therefore difficult to handle.
If that happens, chances are the sand just got too wet. Wet sand will stick to your hands, making crafting more difficult.
But how do you fix that now? It's very simple: add some dry sand.
In addition, you could try adding other malleable material, such as clay.
With these methods you will ensure that your clay becomes firmer and drier and that you can make shapes with it again.
You are using the sand on an unsuitable surface
Use kinetic sand on a flat and level surface. Go for something made of plastic, glass or metal.
You didn't wash your hands beforehand
In case you have touched certain materials, including clay, it is wise to wash your hands before you start manipulating kinetic sand.
The natural oils present on your skin can also transfer to the sand and make it more difficult to play with.
To avoid this, it is wise to wash your hands well with soap before playing with the sand. Then dry your hands well.
In addition, you should also touch your face as little as possible while playing. This way you keep the sand clean.
You play with old kinetic sand
The fact that the kinetic sand sticks to your hands may also be because you are using kinetic sand that no longer 'works' very well.
This sand then feels more like 'ordinary' sand and is therefore no longer as nice and soft as kinetic sand.
Even though kinetic sand lasts a long time, it may become a bit drier after a while because the moisture in the sand can evaporate.
Fortunately, there is an easy way to fix this. Add a few drops of water and knead the sand until it is smooth again. Your sand will feel like new again!
Your hands are naturally a bit oilier
The sticky sand can also have a very simple reason: your hands are naturally oilier than average, which is why the sand sticks to them.
As mentioned above, our skin is provided with natural oils.
Our skin produces these oils to protect itself. The oils can get on anything we touch.
Together with the sand, the oils will become a sticky substance that sticks to the hands.
The only thing you can do again is to wash your hands thoroughly before playing with the sand.
As a result, the oils are broken down and the sand no longer sticks to your hands as much.
You can also put some cornstarch or baby powder on your hands before you get to work with the sand.
The sand is too cold
Furthermore, the sand can stick to your hands because the kinetic sand is too cold.
When the sand is stored at too low a temperature, the kinetic sand can become somewhat harder.
It is better to use it in a slightly warmer environment, or else to manipulate it near a heat lamp to make the sand more flexible again.
In addition, keep in mind that there are several brands that sell kinetic sand.
Each type has its own formula and ingredients, which makes one kinetic sand a bit stickier than the other.
You may have to experiment here and there to find what works best for you.
Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?
Play Choice now has the ultimate activity book collection, with over 60 pages of fun coloring pages and educational puzzles.
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.