Colored polymeric sand that is made by mixing a pigment onto sand to form colored sand, applying an acrylate-based polymeric coating on the colored sand, drying the acrylate-based polymeric coating, and applying a second polymeric material on the dried acrylate-based polymeric coating. The second polymeric material can have an ingredient (e.g., coating) that is water soluble. The resulting colored sand product can be used, for example, between pavers.