Anyone bought Moon Sand for their children, is it as fun as they say or...

[baabi]

...is it just a big mess? My DD will 5 next month, I'm trying to think of presents, do not want anything too girly or pinkish, and she likes the idea of Moon sand. But if it is too messy my DH will have a fit! Anyone has any other ideas, something creative, that she can share with her younger brother (we have plenty of homemade playdough). Any advice or ideas will be appreciated. Thanks

[bodiddly]

I am going to watch this with interest as I have been meaning to ask myself!

[MadamAnt]

I've heard that it is quite messy, however if that's what my DD really wanted more than any other toy, I'd get it for her. It can't be more messy than playing with glitter and paint etc, surely?

[isaidno]

It is quite fun, although the colours are impossible to keep seperate. Loads ends up on the floor, but it does hoover up easily. It's not sticky at all.

So, yes, it does make a mess, but only a temporary one! We have ours in a cat litter tray to try and contain it while playing.

[bubblerock]

Agree with isaidno - little bit messy but loads of fun!

[hifi]

dd got some for her birthday, very expensive for a pile of sand, not impressed at all neither is she.

[Majeika]

what about getting her the hama?/hana? beads?

My boys love this and beg me to iron them all the time.

[edam]

It's a big mess and not much fun, either. Ds was given some. NEVER again. If there is a next time, it's going straight in the bin.

I have no OCD traits, my house is a pigsty, I am not normally bothered about messy toys but this was a nightmare. Don't do it!

[DartmoorMama]

Moon sand is fun for a short while but had some recently at a party and we had several itchy reactions to it. My self included, took a couple of days to go away.

[baabi]

Wow, went away to make lunch and quite a few mixed responses. As messy as glitter? Have to think about that one, as I have banned the stuff, as weeks later I was still finding it in some weird places. Majeika, what are Hama beads? I have heard ofv them but have never seen them.

[Mummyfor3]

Haba beads are fab!! Enjoyed by DSs and their male and female friends.

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

[moosemama]

Can be v messy, pita to store (ours have the inflatable play trays which take up far too much room). I only ever let them play with it outside. (Mean Mummy )

Oh yes, and mine aren't that impressed with it either, despite begging for it for last Christmas.

[schneebly]

I would go for the hama beads - a big hit at the after school club I worked for.

[schneebly]

but get the Ikea ones if you can - much the same but a LOT cheaper!

[smartiejake]

My dds have had hama beads for years and still play with them now.

Get the large bags of beads and a pack of plates rather than the kits in a box. They are more economical and there is more scope for creativity.

Moon sand is a pita. My dds also had this sand you could play with and mould underwater- bloody awful stuff- impossible to work with and took hours to extract from the water to put back in the container.

[bodiddly]

are hama beads only for slightly older dcs?

[smartiejake]

No mine have played with them since they were 5. However needs quite good eye hand coordination.

[bodiddly]

aaah ds is only 3.5 so he is too young for now then!

[Alambil]

DS got some recently - he LOVES it and it stays on the tray; it does stick to hands though so you need to wash them well after

He also likes Bindeez

[Majeika]

HAMA beads are great and good for fine motor skills. Ds1's teacher suggested I get some and ds1 and ds2 (3y) sit and make them for hours!

Ours are the ones that you iron rather than spray with water and the boys give them to friends as presents and send them to Granny which I am sure she is thrilled at!!

[bodiddly]

and your 3 year old copes with them ok?

[saggyhairyarse]

You can get My First Hama Beads for 3 - 5 yrs.

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_k_h_b_cs/026-2887944-0965210?url=search-alias%3Dtoys&field-keywords=my%20&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 first+

[saggyhairyarse]

Moon Sand is shite.

[paddingtonbear1]

dd had moon sand for her bday and quite likes it, it does make a bit of a mess though - don't get it on your carpet!
dd plays with hers in our back room which has tiled floor.
my dad hates it - when he babysat once, we came back and he said 'who bought dd that, its awful stuff'!
I would avoid it tbh.

[Majeika]

yep! we had the bigger ones first and moved onto the smaller ones and his squidgy fingers manage fine and he is so proud of himself when he finishes one!