Sensory STEM Activities for Kids: Slippery Sand

Looking for a summer activity that’s fun, easy, and educational? Dive into the world of sensory STEM activities for kids with this slippery quicksand experiment! It’s simple to make at home, encourages hands-on learning, and keeps kids engaged while exploring science through touch, movement, and imagination.

Let’s jump into the mess and make some sensory magic!

Why Sensory Play Matters

Before we dig into the slime, let’s talk about why sensory play is so important. Sensory activities help kids develop fine motor skills, improve focus, and build pathways in the brain related to problem-solving and language. When kids squeeze, scoop, stretch, and explore, they’re not just having fun—they’re also strengthening their growing brains.

That’s why combining sensory play with STEM concepts makes the learning experience even more powerful.

Ingredients:

Gather these ingredients to create your very own sensory bin.

1 Cup of Cornstarch
1/2 Cup of Vegetable, Baby, or Mineral Oil
Optional: Brown Food Coloring, Cocoa Powder, or Sandy Glitter
Optional: Toy Animals, Scoops, Spoons, or other Plastic Toys

Time to mix up some slippery science!

Directions:

Mix the Slippery Quicksand:
- In a bowl or bin, combine 1 cup cornstarch with ½ cup oil.
- Stir slowly—at first it’s powdery, then becomes thick and stretchy like wet, sticky clay.
- Adjust with more oil for more slickness, or more cornstarch for firmness.
Add Color or Texture (Optional):
- Mix in a few drops of brown food coloring or cocoa powder to make it look like real mud or sand.
- For shimmer, sprinkle in fine glitter.
Sensory Exploration Time:
- Press toys into it—they’ll slowly “sink” like real quicksand!
- Scoop, pour, and stretch to feel the slippery, oozy texture.
- Try slow vs. fast movements to feel how it behaves differently!

This activity gives kids a chance to experiment with non-Newtonian fluids and explore how materials can behave differently under pressure.

What Kids Learn from This Sensory STEM Activity

This quicksand activity is more than just messy fun—it’s a perfect introduction to non-Newtonian fluids, which don’t behave like typical liquids or solids. When your child presses down quickly, the mixture feels firm, but slow movements make it feel runny. This shows how pressure and force can change how materials behave.

Through play, your child is exploring scientific concepts like viscosity, resistance, and states of matter—all without even realizing it!

Keep Learning Hands-On with Sensory STEM Activities for Kids

When it comes to summer learning, nothing beats sensory STEM activities for kids that are both playful and educational. This quicksand sensory experiment offers kids a chance to explore textures, test ideas, and have fun all at once. Whether they’re squishing with their hands or digging with toys, they’re learning through touch and play.

So grab your cornstarch and oil—it’s time to turn your kitchen into a mini science lab!