How to Dye Sand

Dying sand is the process of permanently coloring regular sand into various colors of your choosing. This project can be time consuming, but is fairly simple and children can participate as well. Whether you want colored sand for your own sand art project or you would like to use it for other home decor ideas, follow these steps to dye sand yourself.

1. Purchase or collect sand. You can purchase play sand at your local craft or hardware store if you do not live near a beach or sandy area. If you are in close proximity to a beach or desert, collect a few large storage bags of the sand and take it home.
   
   
2. Place a bucket on the ground and put a sifter over top. This sifter could be an old sifter from the kitchen or fine netting, like a window screen, that is secured over the bucket using duct tape. If you are using a metal sifter from the kitchen, do not use it again for food related preparation.
   
   
3. Pour the collected sand onto the mesh of the sifter or screen; if you purchased sand, you can skip this step since it will already be sifter prior to packaging. Shake the screen lightly so the sand will filter through into the bucket. You may need to occasionally clear the mesh of any stones, shells, or other debris. Continue this process until all the sand has been sifted.
   
   
4. Divide the sand into separate containers. You can use plastic containers with lids or storage bags. The storage bags will leave less clean up and will reduce any additional mess caused during the stirring process.
   
   
5. Add water to the sand. Add just enough water so that the sand is saturated. Too much water will extend the drying time.
   
   
6. Pour dye onto sand. Any kind of dye will work for this project, but fabric dye seems to produce the most vibrant dyed sand. You may need to add dye several times until it gets to the desired shade you like. The sand will dry lighter so do not worry if the dye is very dark.
   
   
7. Mix the dye and sand together thoroughly.
   • If you are using a container with a lid, you will need a plastic spoon that you can throw away after you finish the project. Scrape the sides of the container to make sure you color everything. Seal the container and set the wet sand to the side to soak up the dye for at least an hour.
     
     
   • For a storage bag, simply seal the bag tightly and massage the sand until the color is consistent throughout. Set the bag aside for at least an hour so the sand can soak up the dye.
     
     
8. Place the damp sand onto a paper plate and spread it out so it can dry faster. Leave the sand to dry, preferably in a sunny place, for a few hours. You may wish to put paper towels over the plate before putting the sand down to help soak up any excess dye.
   
   
9. Package the sand into storage bags or containers with lids once it is completely dry until you are ready to use it for your next sand art project.
   
   
10. Finished.
    
    

• If the colored sand dries and it is still not the shade you like, add more water and dye and repeat the drying process.
• Collecting your own sand will save you money from having to buy it from the store but it will be more time consuming since it will need to be sifted.
• To mold the dyed sand into shapes, use the sand while it is still damp so that it will dry into the desired shape.

• 2 Buckets
• Sand
• Sifter
• Window screen
• Duct tape
• Water
• Assorted dyes
• Containers with lids
• Storage bags
• Spoons
• Paper plates
• Paper towel