NOW AVAILABLE IN A TEST TUBE AND STARTER SET
- It’s a hydrophobic polymer! Yes, sand that never gets wet!
- Build underwater sandcastles
- Explore the differences between Magic Sand and ordinary sand
Magic Sand
Magic Sand may look like ordinary sand at first, but once it gets wet, you’ll realize there’s more to this science toy than meets the eye. Steve Spangler’s Magic Sand begins as normal-looking sand before being dyed and coated with a substance that repels water. This coating will keep the sand dry, even after being dumped into a tank full of water. Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself.
Kids will have a blast building castles and other structures under the water. Their minds will be blown when they pour out the water and realize that the magic sand is still dry.
Our Magic Sand toy makes a great gift or educational toy for children to play with at home, but it’s also a fun science experiment for the classroom! For a dash of color and excitement, we offer our hydrophobic sand in three different colors: red, yellow, and blue!
How Does the Magic Sand Never Get Wet?
Magic Sand begins as normal, free-flowing sand before it is dyed and coated with a hydrophobic polymer that keeps it dry. Ordinary sand cannot form a structure that holds its shape independently. The hydrophobic sand’s water-repellent properties allow it to retain its shape when Magic Sand is poured into water.
What Does It Teach?
Not only is Magic Sand fun to play with, but it makes for a great science lesson. If you’re looking for an interesting way to capture students’ attention, you can use hydrophobic sand to teach them about the properties of water molecules and how hydrophobic materials work.
Try These Magic Sand Activities
If you’re looking for some activities to help you and your students explore the secrets of Magic Sand, the included guide includes step-by-step instructions for five activities. Activities include Magic Sand, Magic Sand in Oil, Regular Sand Versus Magic Sand, Not-So-Magic Sand, and Do Try This at Home.
Endless Magic Sand Experiments
Magic Sand can also help younger students improve their fine motor skills. They can use small digging instruments to find items buried in the sand or practice writing letters on the surface. They can even stamp designs into the sand and then make them disappear.
Discover the differences between Steve Spangler’s Magic Sand and ordinary sand for a more engaging science experiment or lesson.
Magic Sand – What’s Included?
- Each purchase of Magic Sand comes with one package: 8 ounces (227 grams).
- Magic Sand is available in red, yellow, and blue.
Play With Magic Sand Again and Again
Steve Spangler’s Magic Sand is a hydrophobic polymer, which is why Magic Sand never gets wet and why it can be used to build stable underwater sandcastles. Our Magic Sand toy is reusable, too, so you can keep the fun going. When you’re finished, simply pour the water out and let the sand dry. Our Magic Sand toy is a great, engaging science toy to break out on rainy days or when the weather gets cold.
Because our Magic Sand toy is reusable, it makes a stocking stuffer or gift idea for birthdays, holidays, or other celebrations. Introduce your child to our hydrophobic sand, and watch them discover new ways to get creative with Magic Sand!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Magic Sand work?
It starts out as normal sand but is then dyed and covered with a water-repelling polymer that keeps it dry. No matter how much water you dump on it, Magic Sand won’t get wet.
What colors does Magic Sand come in?
Magic Sand comes in red, yellow, and blue. If you call and talk to a customer service representative about getting a specific color, we will try our best to satisfy your request, but we can’t guarantee what colors we have available.
Does Magic Sand stain?
Despite being dyed, Magic Sand does not stain. Do not worry about it leaving dye on surfaces.
How long does Magic Sand last?
The protective coating usually stays on for a long time, but the more you play with it, the faster the hydrophobic sand wears down. Also, soap will make the coating wear away faster.
Safety Information
Customer Reviews
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Toll Free: 800-223-9080
Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 5:00 pm (MST)
Steve Spangler Science
5 Research Drive, Suite 150
Shelton, CT 06484
[email protected]
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Brenda Pacey –
good product.wish it came in true one-pound canisters (rather than 2 halfpound canisters=1 lb)–a bit confusing from the website to an actual order and shipping slip notes.
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Bethany –
I have two children who like to be quite messy! so this is a fun activity I let them do at the kitchen table. I love that all that’s needed is a bowl of water and magic sand 🙂 my kids want to play with it all the time!
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S. Pierson –
Loved it! it was awesome! I’m so so so so impressed and so were my kinds they absolutely love it! I recommend it for anyone who has kids!
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Question
Delilah –
Is this product non-toxic? Is it safe for 5 year-olds to use?
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Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
It is non-toxic and safe for young children to use.
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Question
Cheryl –
I filled in my email to get 10% off but cannot remember the discount code to fill in at the checkout – one word and one figure – please
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smack2021 –
Hi Cheryl! Sorry you are having trouble. You should have received an email with the discount code. I apologize we are not notified of the codes when they are generated.
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Cheryl –
What age is the sand (to build castles under water) for
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smack2021 –
All kits are designed for ages 5 to 12 with adult supervision!
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Question
Bennett –
The description says it’s reusable (“You can use it for science experiments again and again!”). I am having a very difficult time re-using a batch of Magic Sand without it starting to clump and get wet and lose its “magic” hydrophobic property.
Can someone respond to this who has *personally* had success re-using the Magic Sand? So I can ask what their technique is?
I’ve tried drying the sand by pouring the water off into another container, but after 2-3 times of doing his, the water has clumps of waxy white residue in it (left pic) and the same residue is in the sand (right pic). If this means the hydrophobic substance has already come off the sand, I assume that means some portion of the grains are ruined (and more of them will be ruined in each successive round). I understand this happens with soapy water (because the nonpolar molecules pull the hydrophobic molecules off the sand), but this was with distilled water.
What’s the trick to re-using the sand?
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Question
zenab –
I want to buy enough Magic sand for 43 children. How many containers of Magic sand you would recommend?
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Lisa – Customer Service Manager –
You can easily split one 8 oz jar between 3-4 students.
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Linda –
What quantity would you recommend for 30 students to experiment with it?
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joshlittrell –
Linda – thanks for the question. We sell the magic sand in 8 oz containers for $4.99 a jar and 1 pound containers (2 jars of 8 oz) for $7.99. I would say that 4 oz. per student would be a fair amount for use. A purchase of 14-15 jars would be recommended. Once the activity is completed you can let the sand completely dry from any water beads attached and it can be put back in the jars for future use. Please give me a call if you have additional questions. Joshua – 800-223-9080
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marina.heilman –
Can you mix colors to get another color? i.e., red+blue=purple, blue+yellow=green, red+yellow+orange and so on…
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Question
Carra Llerena –
Hi! I’m trying to determine how much Magic Sand I need to order for a party. How much Magic Sand is used in the picture of the Magic sand in the tall drinking glasses and/or the small plastic cups (how many ounces are in that cup and the amount of magic sand please). Thanks for your help!!
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Staff lisabrooks –
For an 8 ounce cup, I would recommend 1/4 to 1/2 of a jar of Magic Sand. At best guess, they used 3/4 to one full jar for the glasses used in the picture. If you need more information, please contact our customer service team at [email protected] for more information.
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Question
Luisa –
Does this have gluten in it in any capacity? I have students that cannot come in contact with gluten whatsoever, their mom wants to make sure it’s safe for them.
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smack2021 –
Please contact [email protected] for the safety data sheet.
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