Color Sand

Colored sand can be used in a variety of sand art projects. While you can buy colored sand at craft stores, it’s very easy to make your own, and you can create a wider range of colors than the pre-mixed sand that is available. Here are a few simple ways to make colored sand.

Steps

Using Tempera Paint Powder

1. Choose a color of tempera paint powder. Tempera paint powder is normally mixed with water to make paint, but can be used in its dry form to color sand.
   • Dry Tempera paint is widely available at arts and craft supply stores, or in the crafts department of large retailers.
   • It is used by preschools and schools because it's non-toxic, economical, and it washes off easily with water.
   • Feel free to mix different colors of dry tempera together to make your own custom colors.
2. Put the sand you want to color in a suitable container. This can be a cup, bowl, resealable bag, or whatever you have handy.
   • Make sure you have enough space in the container to mix the sand easily, without spilling.
   • You can color as much or as little sand as you need.
   • You may also use table salt instead of sand. Avoid using sugar, as this will get sticky.
3. Add a small amount of the dry powder to the sand. Start with about a teaspoon of powder per cup of sand.
4. Mix the sand and powder together thoroughly. You may add more powder as you go until you get the color you want.
   • If you are using a bowl, use a disposable spoon or stick to stir.
   • If you can close your container, you can shake it vigorously to mix.
5. Store your colored sand. Make sure that your container does not leak or spill.

Using Food Coloring

1. Put the sand you want to color in a suitable container. This can be a cup, bowl, or whatever you have handy.
   • Make sure you have enough space in the container to mix the sand easily, without spilling.
   • You can color as much or as little sand as you need.
2. Add just enough water to cover the sand.
   • If you add too much water, the sand will not be as brightly colored, or you will have to use more coloring.
   • You must use sand for this method. If you use salt, it will dissolve in the water.
3. Pour 1-2 drops of food coloring into the container and stir. If the color is not dark enough, continue to add food coloring 1 drop at a time until you get the color you want.
   • If the color is too dark, add a little more water to dilute the color.
   • You may also mix the food coloring together to get different colors.
4. Drain all the water from the sand. Consider using a cheesecloth or other clean fabric over a sieve to do this.
5. Spread the sand out to dry. Lay out several layers of paper towels, rags, or old towels on a counter or on the floor.
   • Use caution that the color does not soak through and stain whatever is underneath.
   • Try putting a piece of plastic, such as a garbage bag, underneath for added protection.
   • The sand will dry more quickly if you put it in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place.
6. Store your colored sand. Make sure it is completely dry before you store it, and that your container does not leak or spill.

Using Alcohol-based ink

1. Choose a color of alcohol-based ink you want to use. You may use the alcohol based ink (in bottles) used for rubber stamping, or India ink used for drawing.
   • Alcohol-based ink is widely available at arts and craft supply stores, or in the crafts department of large retailers.
   • Feel free to mix different colors of ink together to make your own custom colors.
   • Food coloring also works, but is less permanent.
2. Put the sand you want to color in a sealable container. Make sure it can be tightly closed. The easiest way to do this is in a resealable bag.
   • Make sure you have enough space in the container to move the sand around vigorously.
   • You can color as much or as little sand as you need.
   • You may also use table salt instead of sand. Avoid using sugar, as this will get sticky.
   • The best sand to use for this is the white “colored” sand available at craft stores.
3. Add 1-2 drops of ink to your sand, then shake and knead the sand. Continue mixing until you reach the color you want.
   • If there is any leftover ink left in a clump, and your sand is already the color you want, remove it and discard.
   • If the color is not dark enough, continue to ink 1 drop at a time until you get the color you want.
4. Store your colored sand. Make sure that your container does not leak or spill.

Using Colored Chalk

1. Choose a color of chalk you want to use. For darker colors, you can use chalk pastels.
   • Colored chalk and chalk pastels are widely available at arts and craft supply stores, or in the crafts department of large retailers.
   • Feel free to mix different colors of chalk together to make your own custom colors.
2. Prepare your work surface. You will be grinding the chalk or pastel into the sand or salt, so make sure your work surface is protected, or disposable, as the color might stain.
   • A clean piece of thick, strong paper or plastic is ideal. This will also make it easier to transfer the colored sand to your storage container.
   • When mixing different batches of sand, make sure the surface is very clean so the colors don’t mix.
3. On a hard surface, pour out a small amount of sand or table salt. This method is a bit time consuming, so it’s best for making colored sand in small amounts.
   • The best sand to use for this is the white “colored” sand found at craft stores.
   • Avoid using sugar, as this will get sticky.
4. Take a small piece of chalk or pastel, and rub it against the sand. Use an even motion for best results.
   • The chalk will gradually be ground into the sand or salt.
   • To make this go faster, you can also scrape the chalk into the sand with a craft knife, palette knife, or other tool.
   • For large batches, you can also pulverize the chalk beforehand with a mortar and pestle, or other grinding tool.
     • If you do this, use the powdered chalk in the same way as the powdered tempera method, above.
     • Make sure to clean your grinding tools very well afterwards, especially if they will be used for food.
5. Continue mixing into the sand until you reach the desired color. Feel free to alternate colors of chalk or pastel to create your own custom color.
6. Store your colored sand. Make sure that your container does not leak or spill.

Tips

• Your child can use the colored sand to make sand art (with adult supervision). Cut a piece of contact paper to the desired size. Remove the protective top layer of the contact paper and lay the sticky side facing up (this will provide the sticky surface for the sand). Put the colored sand in salt shakers, and let your child shake out the sand onto the sticky contact paper to create a colorful picture.
• Make an easy sand art project by pouring different colored sand in layers into a pretty glass container, jar, or decorative vase.
• Liquid food coloring is preferable to paste food coloring for this project because the thicker consistency of the paste makes it difficult to mix with the sand and to get a uniform color and texture.
• Start with a smaller amount of coloring than you think you need. It's always easier to add more to reach a darker color, and this will prevent you from having to waste sand and coloring if the color becomes too dark too fast.

Warnings

• When drying your sand, make sure to place many layers of paper towels, rags, or towels between the sand and the surface on which it is drying because colors can bleed through onto the surface and stain it.
• When using the chalk or tempera methods, take care not to inhale the powdered pigment. While it is generally non-toxic, it is not good for your lungs.

Things You'll Need

• White craft sand, table salt (except for food coloring method) or play sand
• Coloring agent: Dry tempera paint powder, colored chalk, alcohol based ink, or liquid food coloring
• Mixing Container: plastic container or resealable bag
• Plastic spoon for mixing (liquid food color or tempera method)
• Paper towels, rags, or old towels (food color method)
• Storage Container: Zip-top food storage bag or plastic container

Related Articles

• Make Moon Sand
• Make Colored and Layered Sand or Salt Jars
• Dye Sand

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