Wacky-tivities Kinetic Sand, from Spin Master, is for the kid in all of us who loves going to the beach and playing in the sand. It’s also perfect for actual kids who love going to the beach, but possibly live too far away to enjoy it whenever they want. An arts and crafts activity that resembles wet sand, Kinetic Sand has a grainy texture and heft, is cool to the touch, and can be shaped and molded in all sorts of ways. For example, during my demo, I rolled it into different-sized spheres to form Kinetic Sandmen, and used small plastic cup-fulls to create miniature Kinetic Sandcastles.
However, Kinetic Sand does differ from real sand in ways that are noticeable. For example, although it pours from one’s hand like some kind of ooze, it’s not the least bit damp to the touch. Meanwhile, no matter how much I played with the compound, digging into and out of it, over and over, my hands always felt clean afterward. Kinetic Sand is also easy to pick up, since the material adheres to itself, which is unlike any sand I’ve ever encountered. I actually poured an entire package onto the floor, and was able to quickly sweep it all up into a neat pile, leaving very little in the way of debris behind.
Kinetic Sand is intended for kids ages 3 and up, and more than anything, it resembles loose modeling clay. While objects built from Kinetic Sand tend not to hold their shape as firmly as with some other building compounds, that only means the creative act of building is as important as the end result, and for a lot of kids, that’s no problem at all. The bottom line: Kinetic Sand is a unique and fun tactile experience. Available in a variety of colors (including natural brown) and sizes, it’s like a day at the beach, only without the sunscreen!
This product and more from Spin Master will be on display at The Big Toy Book’s Sweet Suite 14 event in New York City on July 17. Part of Blogger Bash, a two-day conference connecting bloggers and brands nationwide, Sweet Suite will feature the hottest toys and games for the upcoming holiday season. Visit thebigtoybook.com for more info, and follow the conversation on Twitter!
