Moon Sand was one of last year's most popular toys, and it’s still selling like hotcakes. So much so, that there are times when it’s hard to get.

Moon Sand is a modeling compound that looks and feels like damp sand. It’s very tactile and mold-able and can be shaped into virtually anything a child imagines. It comes in a variety of colors and the newest sets include sand with glitter and bright, vibrant colors.

One cool feature: Kids can pop it in the oven (with supervision, of course) at a low heat and their soft, sady creations will harden. Pop it back in the oven, and it will return to its original dough-like consistency. How does it work? No idea, but it's magical for kids.

Moon Sand comes in multiple sets with accessories that enhance creativity.

Why it’s fun
Modeling compounds are classic toys. Kids love creating and shaping things. Moon Sand is particularly fun because it breaks a rule — no sand in the house. The consistency lets kids feel like they’re having a day... at the beach at a play table.

Different colors allow kids to express their creativity, and the sets with accessories inspire all kinds of play in addition to modeling.

Who’s going to love it
Kids of all ages find this irresistible to pick up and play with — as many adults do, too.

However, this is probably going to appeal most to kids in the 5-8 age range who have the fine motor development to mold things.

It’s a great rainy-day activity that's attractive to both boys and girls. Plus, it’s one of the coolest things out there right now for kids.

And what about grandparents?
Even though the prospect of playing with sand in the house might make you nervous, you needn’t be. The consistency of Moon Sand is such that it doesn’t break down into a granular mess.

Still, the larger sets come with plastic play mats, and it’s a good idea to spread that out before allowing play and keeping it to a contained area. If it does get on the floor, it brushes off easily.

What to be aware of
While Spin Master continues to ship this, it has been tough to get at times. Checking with stores in advance can help avoid frustration.

There are a lot of different compounds out there with which kids like to play. Don’t mix this with things like Play-Doh or Floam as that's a guaranteed mess — as one compound tends to undermine the qualities of the other so it becomes hard to work with.