Is Kinetic Sand Gluten Free

Kinetic sand is a type of play sand [1], similar to moon sand, magic sand and sensory sand. They are essentially sand.

99% of the ingredients are natural sand, and the remaining 1% is usually silicone [2]. It contains no wheat, gluten or casein. So, kinetic sand is gluten-free.

What is Gluten Free

Gluten is a structural protein commonly found in plants, especially certain grains [3]. It has good viscoelasticity and adhesion, which makes dough containing it easy to shape. One popular toy – the playdough – uses wheat flour and allows children to make different shapes and objects.

These articles can help you understand playdough:

Gluten-free means not using any ingredients that contain gluten, such as wheat flour.

Wheat

Wheat is an important part of our daily diet, providing us with a variety of nutrients and dietary fiber. In addition to eating, we also use wheat flour to make dough toys: playdough. It allows mom and kids to sit around the table and play and learn together.

Wheat contains a lot of gluten, which is not good for kids with celiac disease. So, when buying toys with sensitive babies in the family, we should choose gluten-free and wheat-free ones.

Gluten

In addition to wheat, there are other grains that contain gluten, such as barley, rye, and oats. Actually, corn and rice also contain gluten, but they do not cause allergic reactions. Therefore, gluten-free playdough toys use corn or rice flour instead of wheat.

Gluten can cause allergic reactions in some people. Along with exaggerated reports, many people mistakenly believe that gluten is bad. Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health [4] told us that whether gluten is beneficial or harmful varies from person to person. For people without celiac disease, consuming whole grains can reduce risk of heart disease.

Actually, normal skin contact with gluten does not cause adverse reactions [5]. We should understand that not everyone needs gluten-free toys – they always cost more.

Of course, gluten-free toys are safer and friendlier for celiac children and families. But you should be wary that swallowing it can still cause dangerous choking or make your kids sick.

Casein

The label on some toys will tell you that it does not contain casein.

Unlike gluten, casein usually comes from animals. Goat milk, cow’s milk, and human milk contain higher amounts of casein [6]. Casein has a high nutritional value, however, people with intestinal diseases are unable to absorb and digest it. Like gluten, it can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Generally speaking, casein is not a necessary ingredient in toys because it is costly and pointless. Remember, toys are not edible. However, in the toy business, it is important to remind consumers that toys do not contain potentially allergenic ingredients.

What is in Kinetic Sand

The amazing thing about kinetic sand is that it can both flow like sand and shape like clay. What’s more, kinetic sand only sticks to itself and nothing else. It saves moms from having to clean the area where their kids play.

People can’t help but wonder, what ingredients give kinetic sand such excellent properties?

Natural Sand

In fact, 99% of kinetic sand is natural sand. Apparently, people love the comfortable feel of sand and how it makes you feel relaxed. Therefore, kinetic sand is also a stress-relieving toy for adults.

Sand is dispersed when dry and the particles do not stick to each other. But, when it’s wet, the particles stick to each other. So when we build sandcastles on the beach we first wet the sand.

This gave us some ideas: If sand didn’t dry out, could we shape it just like clay?

Silicone Oil

From life experience, we know that oil is hardly drying compared to water. So, people thought of adding oil to the sand to replace the water that would dry out.

Silicone oil has high stability and lubricity [7], which makes the texture of kinetic sand soft and comfortable. Besides, it has excellent viscoelasticity, and when we mix it with sand, the sand particles will stick together. Moreover, sand mixed with silicone oil will only stick to each other and not to other places [8].

Silicone oil is safe and we even use it in the medical industry. So, kinetic sand made of natural sand and silicone oil is non-toxic.

FAQ

Now, we understand the ingredients and principles of kinetic sand. With this, we can answer some frequently asked questions.

Is Kinetic Sand Toxic if You Eat it

As a kind of toy for kids, kinetic sand is non-toxic and safe. Play sand that meets toy safety standards does not contain allergenic ingredients, ensuring safety when playing. Still, it’s not a good idea to eat it.

First, dust or dirt on the sand can cause gastrointestinal problems. Second, swallowing sand can cause choking and suffocation. So, it is best for parents to supervise their children’s play to prevent them from swallowing toys.

Does Kinetic Sand Go Bad

Since there are no factors or ingredients that cause it to go bad, the kinetic sand can usually last for several years. And, even if it dries out, you can help revive it by adding water.

Can You Put Kinetic Sand in Water

Kinetic sand is not Magic Sand. When you put it in water, Kinetic sand absorbs water and becomes wet. The sand that’s too wet is no fun, but you can spread it out and let it air dry.

Magic sand has a hydrophobic coating on the surface of its particles, so when you put it in water, it remains dry. Using magic sand, you can build castles in water.

Is Kinetic Sand Magnetic

No, kinetic sand stays together not because of magnetism, and it does not contain iron powder. Therefore, when you bring a magnet or iron close to it, it will not have a magnetic effect of attraction or repulsion.

Conclusion

Apart from sand and silicone oil, kinetic sand contains no other ingredients. That is, it does not contain potentially allergenic ingredients such as wheat, gluten, or casein. Therefore, kinetic sand is gluten-free, safe and child-friendly.

However, even if kinetic sand is not toxic, ingesting it is not a good idea. Parents should play with kids to avoid accidental swallowing.

References