Anyone for Moon Sand Crumble? (Spinmaster Moon Sand Pet Shop)

Member Name: hazydaze123

Product:	Spinmaster Moon Sand Pet Shop
Date:	10/01/09 (172 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good idea in principle; good range of themes

Disadvantages: Sand falls apart; limited choice of sand colours in set

For a while now, no visit to the toy shop has been complete without my 4 year old son insisting on going to 'just look' at the Moon Sand. I have never considered myself to be a mean mummy, but I could not personally justify spending £9.99 on a pot of sand and a few plastic moulds. However, Christmas was on its way and I had been asked the standard annual question by an elderly aunt: "What do you think I should get him for Christmas this year?" It wasn't long before I thought of an ideal present - Moon Sand!

There are several Moon Sand sets on the market at the moment, all based on various themes including: Monster Truck Set, Diggin' for Dinos, Pet Shop and Ice Cream Sundae, all priced at £9.99. However, there are a few larger sets available which are selling in the region of between £14.99 and 24.99. Single tubs of sand are also available at £3.99 each, but do not include any of the moulds contained in the actual sets.

With such a wide range to choose from, we left it up to 'aunty' to decide which set Santa would be delivering on Christmas Eve.

On the big day, my son ripped open the wrapping paper as only a 4 year old knows how and, as expected, was over the moon (excuse the pun!) to discover his own little Moon Sand Pet Shop.

On opening the circular plastic container, we discovered it neatly packed with:

2 x bags of coloured Moon Sand (one purple, one grey)

A cardboard base representing the tiled floor of the pet shop, with pictures of cats and dogs, pet toys and a grooming area.

1 x plastic stand-up model of the pet shop building

3 x plastic moulds comprising a little girl figure, a dog and a cat

1 x plastic spatula to aid in moulding the sand

So, what do you do with it?
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Each Moon Sand mould consists of two mirror image panels designed to create a 3D figure. Both panels should be filled with Moon Sand and pressed together to seal them and form the chosen figure. Once the moulds are removed, your child can create their own little pet shop environment.

Verdict
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Quite simply, it all fell apart!!

When my son (with a little adult assistance from mummy and daddy) gently prized the moulds apart, the Moon Sand figure, which is supposed to be able to stand upright, slowly started to crumble and fall apart. According to the ads and the selling blurb on Moon Sand, the sand is apparently designed not to dry out, but in my opinion, it simply was not moist enough to hold a figure together.

I dare say that, if we had added a little water to the sand, then it may have done the job that it was designed to do, but my advice to anyone considering purchasing a Moon Sand set would be to consider buying something else instead,

I was left with a slightly disappointed son, who we are now in the process of training not to go up to 'aunty' and telling her that her present was rubbish!

Thanks for reading.

(Also reviewed on Ciao under my other name of Matthewsmum)

Summary: It's not worth the money - it only disappoints the child