Sensory play is important for kids. While they're getting messy and experiencing those gritty, granular textures, they're also stimulating the growth of new neurons and building connections in their brain. This type of play gives them the opportunity to practice their fine and gross motor skills. They can also work on communication skills as they talk about the experience with others. If you're looking for a new way to help your child get in more sensory play, you should check out kinetic sand sets. These sets come with soft sand that your child can play with by molding it, shaping it, and building with it. While the sand falls through your child's hands, their mouth slightly agape with an "oo-la-la" look in their eyes, they'll also be learning. That's a win-win. So without further ado, here are some of the best kinetic sand kits available on the market today. Kinetic Sand Sandisfying Set One Stop Sand ShopThis kinetic sand kit comes with the sand and plenty of tools for your child to try. Best OverallFind on Amazon Playing in sand is a great way for your child to get some sensory play, and when you provide a variety of tools for them to experiment with, they’ll get even more out of the experience. This set is perfect for that. It comes with two pounds of sand (one pound each of two different colors), as well as ten unique tools. As your child plays, the set contains accessories to help you create unique videos of them to document those precious memories. Aside from the included phone stand and video backdrop, the set also comes with instructions for making it all work. The instructions encourage the child to participate in the video-recording process, too. This allows your child to combine essential technical skills with kinetic play. They’ll become producers of content instead of merely being a consumer. But, you don’t have to make videos to have a lot of fun with this set. Even young kids (age three and up) can have a blast with it. They can squish it, mold it, and mix it. Don’t feel silly if you feel a temptation to play with the sand, too. Pros Comes with two different colors of sand that will keep your child busy for a while Has ten different tools to use to help your children use different parts of their brain Cons Doesn’t include a box for storing your sand, so you’ll need a container or zip-style bag National Geographic Sparkling Play Sand All That Glitters Isn't GoldThis glittering, sparkly sand is sure to conjure up magical feelings in your child, making it one of the funniest sand kits out there.Best Sparkly SandFind on Amazon Take our word for it: this colorful sparkly sand is super fun to play with. Your kids will stay busy molding it and building all sorts of creations. Included in the set are six different molds to help your child get started. The set comes with a tray to use for play. It also includes two whole pounds of sand so your child can build some larger creations. The sand is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, so it’s safe for your child to play with. This sand is always wet, too, so it won’t dry out if your kids leave it out. However, this it may stain clothing, carpets, or furniture, so make sure your child is using it over a protected surface or take the play outside. Pros Bright colorful sand with glitter that shimmers, shines, and looks great Doesn’t stick to fabrics Makes for very easy cleanup, so no need to feel a sensation of dread when you child asks if it’s sand time Cons The bright color can stain your hands and floor, so be prepared for that and take precautions to protect your surfaces Kinetic Sand Bake Shoppe Playset Fakey BakeyYour child can "bake" up some sandy treats with this uniquely designed kit.Best for GirlsFind on Amazon Your child will get to have their go at “baking” with this cleverly conceived sand kit. It comes with two different colors of sand, pink and yellow, which your child can swirl together or use separately. It also includes sixteen different tools your kid can use to roll out the sand, stamp cookies, and lift them onto the little serving tray. Cookies aren’t the only creation your child can build, either. For example, they can mold cupcakes to decorate or make a birthday cake to throw a little party for their favorite stuffed animal. There are so many different options, which makes this set perfect for creative play. To help you keep the tools together, you can store the smaller ones inside of the rolling pin. This is very convenient as it takes up less space. However, you will need a container or bag to store the sand in. Pros Themed set to encourage creative cooking play Encourages creative play that will let your kids use their imagination An excellent way to get your child away from screens and devices for some sensory learning time Cons The serving tray is made out of cardboard, so you may want to provide an inexpensive cookie sheet for your child that will last longer and help contain the sand Only one pound of sand is included Kenlaimi Construction Moving Sand Kit Let's Build Castles Made of SandThis set of sand comes with construction vehicles your child can use for sensory play. Best for BoysFind on Amazon Is your child obsessed with all things construction? This set allows them to combine their love for wheels with the sensory play experience of kinetic sand kits. It comes with two pounds of moldable moving sand, a foldable sandbox to play in, as well as loads of construction trucks, molds, road signs, and more. There are even eleven tools designed to be used while playing in the sand. Your child can create a road to drive the vehicles on or set up a complicated construction scene around the base of a soon-to-be-erected sandcastle. All in all, this set has everything you need to keep your child busy for hours. Everything is sized for little hands, too, so kids as young as three will be able to utilize this set. This set is the perfect way to encourage creative play. Pros Includes a foldable sandbox you can dump the sand into during play to help contain the mess Good variety of tools and toys to give your child many different pieces to explore and play with Encourages the use of active imagination, which is so important for your kids Cons 2 pounds of sand isn’t enough to fill the sandbox, so if you want it full you may want to buy more. However, by not filling it all the way up, the box is more likely to not overflow onto your floor. Kinetic Sand Castle Containers Sunshine and RainbowsThis set of Kinetic Sand comes with ten different colors for your child to play with. Most Variety Find on Amazon Do you want to give your kids lots of kinetic sand to play with? This set has ten different colors. Each one is 4.5 ounces, so you get over two and a half pounds of sand. This sand sticks together easily, so your child can build sandcastles and more. It doesn’t dry out, either, so your kids can play with it over and over again without worrying about needing to buy a new set. Each color of sand comes in a small castle-shaped container, which your child can use as a mold for building. Each one has a lid, so you can put the sand away and store it inside. Pros 10 different colors for lots of creative play Can store the sand in the containers so you don’t have to find a box or bag Cons Set doesn’t come with any tools, except for the container molds. You’ll need to purchase those separately or provide some from around the house. Frequently Asked Questions Is kinetic sand hard to clean up? Sensory play can get messy, and playing with sand is no exception. If it gets all over your floor and your kids start throwing it around the house, you’re going to have a mess to clean up. But with a few precautions, you can help minimize the mess. First, have a larger container for your children to put the sand in. Then, put the box on a shower curtain or a blanket. This will catch any granules that fall out and keep them off of your floor. Make sure you sit nearby, at least at first, to ensure that your children don’t become too rambunctious. Your presence will help keep the sand where it belongs. When they’re done playing, you can take the blanket outside and shake it off, or pour the extra back into the container. How old should my child be to play with a kinetic sand kit? Typically, kinetic sand kits are designed for kids age three and up. You don’t want anyone to eat the sand, but this is especially true for an infant. You know your child best, so you can get the sand for your child when you think it is appropriate. If they are younger, you will want to provide supervision while they use these products to ensure they play safely. How do you store kinetic sand? You want to keep your sand contained when it’s not in use so it doesn’t dry out or get dumped all over your house. For this, there are several options. You can put each color in a Ziploc bag, or combine them all in a larger one. You could also find a storage container with a lid to keep the sand in. Other people prefer to keep it in small plastic pencil boxes that snap shut. Related posts: The Best Whelping Kits For Dogs The Best Frisbees The Best Dog Tooth Brushing Kits