How to Build Giant Beach Sand Castles

Sand castles provide entertainment for children and adults alike, especially when vacationing in warm, beach areas. When building a sand castle, you do not have settle on a small one built with small children's pails and shovels, although these tools may be helpful. Instead, with even less equipment, you can build a giant sand castle. This requires more time, more artistic input and a strategic placement of the castle on the shoreline.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Shovel Pail (optional) Small plastic sand shovel
Shovel
Pail (optional)
Small plastic sand shovel

Step 1

Stake out an area on the beach to build your castle. Decide how long you would like the sand castle to last. If you build the castle for the thrill of watching it slip away into the ocean, stake your claim on a part of the coast where the tide will reach it but far enough away to give you time to build. If you want your castle to last longer, choose a spot right outside the high tide line but close enough to have easy access to water.

Step 2

Dig a hole with the shovel on the ocean side of the spot you will build the sand castle. Dig until you hit the water table with standing water at the bottom of your hole. Deposit the sand from the hole onto the place where you want the sand castle. Alternatively, fill a pail half full with water and add sand. In either case, you want the sand to be soaking wet, as water is what holds the sand together and compacts it.

Step 3

Scoop the soaking wet sand out of the hole or pail with both hands. Move it quickly to its destination so you do not lose too much water. Deposit the handful of sand onto the hill you created and run your hands over it to smooth it out, distributing the water evenly. Repeat this process until you create a mound of sand large enough to carve a tower for your castle.

Step 4

Repeat this process to build other towers for your castle. You may also build connecting walls by scooping in the same fashion as above and softly forming the soaking sand into block form.

Step 5

Carve the sand after allowing it to dry and settle for a few moments. Using a small plastic sand shovel, chip away at the towers and walls until you create the form you want. Be creative here, making windows, doors and designs on the sand castle.

Tips & Warnings

When shaping the handfuls of sand, do not try to force it by patting or crushing. Instead, work with the sand gently, trying to distribute the water evenly.

Article Written By Sarah Morse

Sarah Morse began freelance writing in 2009, writing environmental articles for websites like GreenandSave.com. Her work focuses on topics in gardening and technology. She received her bachelor's degree in English language and literature in 2009 and is working on two master's degrees, one in information science and the other in English.

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