Colourful Sand Sensory Experiment for Kids | Easy STEM Activity for Ages 4–7

Sensory play activities are a wonderful way to support children’s natural curiosity and love of exploring the world around them. This coloured sand experiment is a simple yet highly engaging activity that combines hands-on discovery with early STEM learning. Using sand, water, and colour, children observe changes, explore cause and effect, compare quantities, and express their ideas through play. Designed for children aged 4–7, this activity is perfect for preschools, early learning classrooms, and creative sensory play at home. In this guide, you’ll find easy step-by-step instructions, a complete materials list, and ideas for extending the learning even further.

Age: 4–7 years
Duration: ~30 minutes

 
What children learn:

• exploring changes (colour, texture, quantity)
• observing and thinking logically
• understanding cause and effect
• practising fine motor skills
• learning basic math ideas (more/less, colours, amounts)
• sensory play & language development

 

Materials:

• dry sand (white or light if possible)
• food colouring, watered-down tempera, or coloured ink
• small bowls
• droppers, spoons, cups of water
• gloves, work surface
• paper or trays for drying the sand

 
Activity Steps

 
1. Circle Time – Introduction

Show the children a bowl of sand. Ask simple questions:

• “What do you think this is?”
• “How does the sand feel?”
• “What colour is it?”
• “Can we change its colour?”

Show the colours and tools.

“Today we will explore and experiment! We will try to make colourful sand. Let’s see what happens when we mix colour and sand.”

 
Children share their ideas and predictions.

 
2. Exploration

Children add colour to sand using droppers or spoons and watch what happens.
Ask:

• “What is happening to the sand?”
• “What colour is it now?”
• “Should we add more colour or water?”

3. Experimenting

Children try:

• different amounts of colour
• different amounts of water
• mixing with their hands or a spoon

4. Mathematical Thinking

Talk about:

• more / less colour
• darker / lighter shades
• counting droplets or spoonfuls

5. Drying the Sand

Children spread the wet coloured sand on paper and leave it to dry.

6. Closing Talk

Ask:

• “What did you notice?”
• “How did we make different colours?”
• “Which sand looks the nicest to you?”

Learning Outcomes

The child:

• shows curiosity and takes part in exploring
• recognises and names colours
• compares amounts
• notices changes and talks about them
• improves coordination and hand control
• cooperates in a group experiment and waits for their turn

Extension Ideas
Use the coloured sand for art (sand pictures).
Add it to sensory bins.
Compare different colours and amounts of dye.

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