Waterproof Sand

Play with magic sand that never gets wet!

Why play with ordinary sand when you can make hydrophobic sand that is literally scared of water?

Suitable for kids aged 5+

Two ingredients = Too easy!

You Need:
  • Regular or coloured sand
  • Waterproofing Spray (eg. Scotchgard or other fabric protector)
  • Baking Tray
For more details watch video below.

What to do:
  1. Spread the sand evenly on the baking tray.
  2. Spray the sand with the fabric protector.
  3. Mix it around and let dry for 10 minutes.
  4. Repeat steps 2-3, three times until all sand is completely sprayed.
  5. Fill the glass cup with water. Slowly pour the sand into the water. Observe.

Why is it so?

Hydrophobic sand is sand that repels water. Hydro-phobic, literally translates to water-hating! This stuff is scared of water! There are many common materials in our world that are hydrophobic- oils, fats, wax, which are nearly impossible to get wet. This is because their molecular structure resists attraction to the water molecule.

Chemists have been able to utilize the behaviours of hydrophobic molecules to make synthetic hydrophobic compounds that we find in water proofing sprays. These sprays are used to water proof our outdoor wear such as boots or coats. This hydrophobic sand is also used in ocean oil spills, as the hydrophobic sand absorbs the floating oil, and sinks to the bottom, where it can be easily removed or safely covered by natural causes.
Do more cool experiments with the science kits available on this website.