If you have always wanted to build a sand castle but didn’t know how to proceed, try the following methods. With very little practice you’ll get it done right.
Required Tools and Materials
Plastic buckets
Beach shovels
Spray bottle (for water)
Sand
Trowel
Sketch paper
Butter knives
Spatula
Step 1: Sketch Your Castle and Choose a Site
By drawing the castle, you’ll have an idea of just what the structure is supposed to look like. Pick a site big enough for your project. Don’t choose one too near the water. Get some sand and fill the buckets with water.
Step 2: Build the Base and Towers
Wet the sand. Make a square base (or whatever your drawing indicates). To build a sand castle tower, mold the sand into a pancake shape. Stack the pancake shaped sand on the base (the biggest ones are at the bottom). Shake each one a bit as you stack them. When you get to the top, add a bit of water.
Step 3: Build the Castle Walls
Get some wet sand and shape them into brick shapes. Shake them a bit from side to side. Set the pieces between the towers you built. Make them as high as you want. Use the trowel to modify the tower and alter its shape.
Step 4: Build a Moat and Bridge
To keep waves from reaching the castle, dig holes around it. A moat will keep the waves at bay. To build a sand castle bridge, make a foot high castle wall.
Now draw the shape of the bridge there. The next step is to carve the shape under this drawing. You can actually use the same technique when making the castle itself. You can use the bridge to join two castles.
Step 5: How to Create Roofs
To make a roof for the castle, start by making four walls. Get a couple of boards and put them over the castle. Pour the wet sand on top of them. Remove the boards. The sand will remain in place.
Tips and Warnings
The wetter the sand, the easier it will be to build a sand castle. If the castle gets dry, fill a spray bottle with water and spray the castle. Never forget to jiggle the sand as you construct the castle.
Some sand castle builders like to use a spatula to take the sand, while others like to use their hands. It’s really up to you. Work fast as the sand can firm up quickly and be very hard to use.
You don’t need to be in the beach to make a castle. You can collect the sand and make one in your house. If you’re at the beach and want to keep the castle, make it on a table or on a tray.
There is no shortage of castle pictures to draw inspiration from. Go over some to get fresh ideas.
When you build a sand castle, always remember to have fun. You’re not in a competition or anything like that, so just enjoy yourself.
