DIY Hydrophobic Sand

Learn how to make magic sand called hydrophobic sand in this fun and easy science experiment.

Materials:

• Colored sand
• Water repellant fabric protector
• Disposable plate or container
• Plastic spoon
• Fan
• Clear plastic cup
• Water

Instructions:

1. Pour a thin layer of colored sand in the disposable plate or container.
2. Spray water repellant fabric protector on the colored sand until the sand becomes moist. 
3. Use a plastic spoon to mix the colored sand.
4. Apply another coat of water repellant fabric protector. 
5. Place the sand in front of a fan to dry. Use the plastic spoon to stir the sand every few hours until completely dry.
6. Once your hydrophobic sand is dry, fill the clear plastic cup with water.
7. Place a spoonful of your DIY hydrophobic sand into the water and observe.
8. Once you are finished with your DIY hydrophobic sand, pour off the water and save your sand to enjoy again at a later time. 

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How it Works:

The water repellant fabric protector coats the grains of sand and causes them to adhere together underwater. This creates a pocket of air around the sand that keeps it from getting wet. 

Make This A Science Project:

Try coating other fine grained substances? Try testing your hydrophobic sand in liquids other than water. Use different brands of water repellant fabric coating to create different batches of DIY hydrophobic sand and observe any differences.  

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