Ingredients

Ingredients:

To make DIY moon rocks that glow and bounce, you will need the following materials:

Baking soda (1 cup) – This will form the base for the moon rocks and give them their solid structure.
Cornstarch (1/2 cup) – Adds texture to the rocks, making them more like the real thing.
White glue (1/4 cup) – Acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together.
Glow-in-the-dark paint (or glow powder) (1 tablespoon) – This gives your moon rocks their luminous, otherworldly glow.
Water (1/4 cup) – Used to mix and activate the ingredients.
Plastic or rubber ball (for bouncing) – Optional for added fun when testing the bounce factor.
Bowl for mixing – A large enough bowl to combine the ingredients.
Baking tray or parchment paper – For drying the moon rocks.
Plastic gloves (optional) – For easy handling, especially with the glow paint.

Instructions

Preparation:

Now that you have gathered your ingredients, let’s go step-by-step on how to make these moon rocks.

Step 1: Mix Baking Soda and Cornstarch

Start by taking a medium-sized bowl and adding 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of cornstarch. Stir these two ingredients together until they are well-combined. This mixture will create the base of your moon rocks, providing a solid structure that mimics the texture of real lunar rocks.

Step 2: Add Glue and Water

Next, pour 1/4 cup of white glue into the dry ingredients. This will act as the binding agent, helping everything stick together. After the glue, add 1/4 cup of water. Mix everything together thoroughly until you have a thick, malleable dough. You want the mixture to hold its shape but still be slightly sticky to the touch. If it’s too dry, add a little more water; if it’s too wet, sprinkle in a bit more baking soda and cornstarch.

Step 3: Add Glow-in-the-Dark Paint

Now comes the fun part! Add 1 tablespoon of glow-in-the-dark paint (or glow powder) to the mixture. Stir it in well to ensure that the entire dough is infused with glowing particles. This is what will give your moon rocks their glow when you turn off the lights. You can use any color of glow paint, but green and blue glow paints tend to work the best for visibility in the dark.

Step 4: Shape the Moon Rocks

Once the mixture is fully combined, it’s time to shape the dough into moon rocks. Grab small amounts of the dough and roll them into ball shapes, roughly the size of a marble or a small fist. You can make them as big or small as you want, depending on your preferences. The texture of the dough should allow you to mold them easily, but they should still have a rough, uneven surface to mimic the rocky texture of the moon.

Step 5: Dry the Moon Rocks

After shaping your moon rocks, place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Allow them to dry for several hours, or overnight if possible. The drying process will help firm them up, making them solid and ready for the next phase. If you’re in a rush, you can also leave them in a low-temperature oven (about 200°F) for 30-45 minutes to speed up the drying process.

Notes

While these moon rocks are not for eating, it’s important to note that the glow paint you use should be non-toxic, especially if you have younger children involved in the project. Always supervise the process, particularly when handling the glow powder or paint. Also, keep in mind that after a few hours of play, the glow in the dark effect may start to fade, so recharge the glow by placing your moon rocks under a bright light for a few minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours