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Original poster

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

26 replies

baabi · 30/08/2008 09:54

...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

OP posts:
bodiddly · 30/08/2008 10:14

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

MadamAnt · 30/08/2008 10:16

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 · 30/08/2008 10:17

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 · 30/08/2008 10:22

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

hifi · 30/08/2008 10:44

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

Majeika · 30/08/2008 10:47

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

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

edam · 30/08/2008 11:00

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 · 30/08/2008 11:05

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.

Original poster
baabi · 30/08/2008 11:32

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.

OP posts:
Mummyfor3 · 30/08/2008 11:34

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

Aimsmum · 30/08/2008 11:43

Message withdrawn

moosemama · 30/08/2008 12:07

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 · 30/08/2008 12:22

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

schneebly · 30/08/2008 12:23

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

smartiejake · 30/08/2008 12:37

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 · 30/08/2008 12:47

are hama beads only for slightly older dcs?

smartiejake · 30/08/2008 13:04

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

bodiddly · 30/08/2008 16:00

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

Alambil · 30/08/2008 16:02

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 · 30/08/2008 21:42

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 · 30/08/2008 21:45

and your 3 year old copes with them ok?

saggyhairyarse · 30/08/2008 22:00

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+ first+

saggyhairyarse · 30/08/2008 22:01

Moon Sand is shite.

paddingtonbear1 · 30/08/2008 22:18

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 · 31/08/2008 18:39

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!