This post is sponsored by Finlee And Me.
It said it right there on the box “98% sand and 2% magic” and as I dumped the kinetic sand out onto the tray we discovered how true that statement was.
It looks just like ordinary sand, the stuff you’d find at the beach, or in the sand pit, but it doesn’t move like ordinary sand, and it certainly doesn’t feel like ordinary sand!
It kind of sticks together, but it isn’t sticky. It sorted of seems like wet sand, but it isn’t wet. It crumbles like regular sand, but it doesn’t spread or scatter. It almost flows like some kind of thick sandy syrup, yet it forms hard shapes when you compress it.
It’s all the fun of sand play without the mess, but better! It really is kind of magic, and oh so fun!
You can mold it into shapes, roll it into balls that stay together, make tunnels and caves for imaginative play, use all your play dough accessories with it, write in it and more, but the thing we liked doing best is using stamps with the kinetic sand…
Dump the kinetic sand onto the table or into a large container, we used a simple tray. Push the sand down and/or use a rolling pin to make a nice flat, tightly packed surface. The tighter you pack the sand, the clearer your stamps will show up.
Now collect up some stamps – yep, stamps, the kind you would use with an ink pad.
We have a great set of rubber alphabet stamps, a few fun animal stamps and some lovely hand carved wooden stamps from Indonesia.
Now all you need to do is start stamping!
While he was happily stamping away Noah was also learning letters, practicing patterning, working on learning his name, experimenting with cause and effect, creating representations, and enjoying a unique sensory play experience.
The kinetic sand stayed out in a big tub for the next few weeks and everyone loved it. Even adults stopped to play and marvel at this cool stuff!
For more great ways to play with kinetic sand you can check out this article from Learn With Play At Home.
Win Some Kinetic Sand!
This competition is now closed. Congratulations to our winners Cara, Katie and Rachel who have been contacted via email.
Our fabulous kinetic sand came from Finlee and Me a lovely Australian small business with a great range of baby and kids products.
Thanks to Finlee and Me I have three, 1kg packs of kinetic sand to give away!
To enter, check out Finlee and Me’s great range of kid’s toys and leave a comment on this post answering the following question: What is your favourite toy from the Finlee and Me range and why? The three best answers will win!
Don’t forget to visit Finlee and Me’s facebook page to keep up to date with all their news and lots of other fun things too!
Terms and Conditions.
You must be an Australian resident to enter.
You must provide a valid email address and entries are limited to one per household.
Entries close Tuesday June 24th 2014 at midday EST
Entries will be judged on merit and creativity.
Three winners will each recieve 1 kg box of kinetic sand and postage within Australia – prizes may differ to the ones shown here.
Winners will be contacted by email and announced on this post by Tuesday July 1 2014.
The winner must contact me within 5 days or the prize will be re-drawn.
The winner agrees to have their contact details passed on to the appropriate PR company or brand representative who will send out/organise the prizes directly.
{disclaimer: We were given some kinetic sand to test out. I was not compensated in any other way and the opinions expressed in this post are my own.}
For more great sensory play ideas follow my Super Sensory board on pinterest.
Follow Katepickle – Picklebums.com’s board Super Sensory Play on Pinterest.
Jo-Ann says
My favourite are the alphabet puzzles as I love hearing my little girl sing the alphabet song when she’s completed the puzzles.
Kate Lloyd says
This sand looks AWESOME and what a great way to use it! I think I have spent over an hour looking at the Finlee & Me website, they have such an incredible range of toys. What to choose!!! My little girl would love the mix-n-match puzzle blocks and she’s spend a long time making all the different combinations.
Carla says
The kinetic sand and the memory wooden puzzles would be something that my girls would love from the Finlee and Me website x
Janelle says
The kinetic sand looks so fun, so much potential for different ways to play. I love the teepees at Finlee & Me, I could see my little girl spending hours in one of those with only her imagination to guide her. But there are so many great toy ideas in their store!
Nicole says
I love kinetic sand! There’s so much you can do with it. How much sand did you use in the activity? On the white plate, is that a 1kg pack or more? Thanks so much for the lovely post.
Crystal Berry says
I love their dancing ribbons. The wooden ring grip makes them ideal for my younger toddler while my older toddler loves twirling and dancing. They’re great to encourage movement and imaginative play.
dona says
I was at a street festival recently where they had a large tray of this or something similar in the kids’ play area. It was so fascinating that even the parents were playing in it! (I’m not in Australia, don’t count me in the draw!) :)
Melissa says
I have been trying to find this sand in a shop. I like the idea of the a-z cards and block set would be my pick because you could use the seperatly or combine them to make great buildings.
Maree Mortimer says
I would have to say the Story Stones Fairytale Set is my favourite. It was a hard choice as I also love the Idea Boxes. My daughters have just started making up their own original stories and these stones would be perfect to help them expand their repertoire.
Michelle V says
The Chalkboard Mat would be the best
When either travelling, dining, and the rest
It would save my kids from being bored
I can guarantee it would be adored
It’s so handy to have in your bag or car
The kids can create masterpieces wherever they are!
Dianne says
I was given a set of the books from Finlee & Me that saved not only my sanity, but my kids’ lives while traveling one summer. Great ideas seemed to leap off the pages and my family quickly loved each one…and begged for the next! I think the kinetic sand would be amazing because you can do so many things with it. Who could get bored? That one word – “Bored” – is the bane of summer at our home, and this sand would eliminate it every time it’s uttered. I want some…..no, check that….I NEED some of this stuff!! Their lives may depend on it…again. :)
Dianne says
Forgot to mention I’m not in Australia, but still love Finlee & Me products. Guess I can’t enter, but that’s really not fair to those of us who aren’t Aussies. :( Oh well, can’t have everything.
Rachael Gallway says
The alphabet puzzle would be amazing to help teach one of my 4 year old twins that lmnop is not 1 letter of the alphabet, it is in fact 5 letters of the alphabet l m n o p and that is why it is not available to stick on our alphabet chart. Many a meltdown might be avoided and would save him singing it for the millionth time today just to say “see Mum lmnop” and the drama starts again!
Rebecca Allan says
Thank you for introducing me to Finlee and Me! I haven’t seen their website before and found it so hard to chose just ONE favourite item – I want them all! But, I know my son would totally love the ‘Make-a-Match memory game – Go-go edition.’ Jack will definitely be getting these for Christmas :)
Aleesa Barton says
Let me take a breathe and say:
“Fabric Tangram Puzzle Set”
Here lies a toy with hours of play
An exciting present to get!
I think my girls would squish and squash
Perhaps attempt a pattern
But the thing I’d like best of all
Is to hear them say the title!
cara says
Oh gosh I love all of the toys on the Finlee and me site, so hard to narrow it down to just one. I love the idea of kinetic sand in terms of its sensory properties, and as a kindergarten teacher i;m always looking for new kinds of sensory experiences for my children to try. That being said I think my favorite would have to be the stick-lets fort kit, the children have been really into making shelters lately and that portable, rubber resource would be great for outdoor building and play.
Janine Smallbone says
Wow! Thanks for sharing this post and introducing me to the world of “Finlee and Me”. I am in love with all the Idea Boxes! My 3 year old and 1 year old love being outside in the sandpit, so the kinetic sand will be a must in our house now the weather has turned cold and wet!
Rachel | Racheous - Lovable Learning says
Love kinetic sand! What a creative post and brilliant giveaway!!
Leith Alexander says
My favourite toy from the “Finlee and Me ” range is the tent. I love the idea of the children having a tent for both indoor and outdoor play – it is versatile – can be used for boys and girls and they will not get tired of it easily.
Ceri Lovitt says
My eldest would love the rainbow fairy door, and the fairy postbox…. And the Christmas wreath (eek so cute!)……. But mummy needs a craft table turntable organiser, it might help keep the mess of craft materials under control!!
Bek @Just For Daisy says
I have seen blog posts for kinetic sand a few times and not clicked through.. but wow! It’s amazing!!
I love the fabric tangram!! My girls are BOTH into puzzles and I think a tangram with puzzle cards would be a fabulous open ended puzzle activity they can both enjoy at their own level! :)
Aleta Bon says
I’ve been a fan of Finlee & Me for a while on facebook. It’s such a fun and inspiring page!
I think the marble sounding tree looks incredible. Movement, rainbows and music. That sounds like a magical combination to me.
I keep reading about kinetic sand. It really does sound like ‘cool stuff’ :) I just know our boys would LOVE some, the little hands-on and curious fellows they are. And I love that it’s made allergy free. Something we have to consider in this house.
So Kate, we’d love to have a play – we’ve got stamps! and all manner of items to help them work on their fine motor skills – inside.
Wish us luck! & thanks for your always groovy ideas.
Christine G says
My girls would LOVE a set of the rainbow musical bells, they love singing, dancing and making music and they would make a great accompaniment to the little ukelele and drums we have at home.
I however would prefer some kinetic sand, they would still love it, and it would provide many hours of *quiet* creative play!
katie says
Now I should say the superhero capes for Mr 5,
Who spends his life ‘fighting’ bad guys ‘to keep us alive’,
Or I should say a pencil roll for arty Miss 3,
Or for Mr 8 months something Montessori?
But my pick stems from memories of childhood ‘neglect’,
Toys that OTHER kids had that made their lives perfect,
So my favourite toy (note, it’s all about me!)
Is the Magic Treehouse from the people at Vulli :)
Kim says
I love the AND THEN Story Cards. What a fun way to get the kids using their imagination! I love reading and I love the box they come in, I think I’d want to keep that part for myself!!
Kim says
They would be a great Christmas present for my kids teachers too!
Danya Banya says
Oh wow that kinetic sand looks amazing! It’s on my Christmas wish list! But if I had to choose something from Finlee & Me’s (amazing) range, then I would choose the 7 foot all natural teepee. Wouldn’t it be divine to relax in the shade on a hot summer’s day, perhaps play a game of cards with a friend or lie back and read a great book inside such a beautiful teepee. And I’m sure the kids would love it too! :)
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting says
52 activities to share with your grandchild – the book – sounds fabulous. My Mum would love that for ideas of things to do with my boys on her day with them each week.
sapna says
Construction Space Links is my favourite toy for kids – it will keep them engaged for hours and allow them to use their imagination as well….