Building a Sand Castle like a Pro

If you go to a beach this summer, you might try your hand at sand castle building. However, you do not want to end up with one that looks like mine in the picture. Of course, I cannot take full credit for that masterpiece it was a group effort.

Start by finding a good spot or as some call it the "sweet spot". This is where the wet sand meets dry sand; normally this is near the high-water line. And, at its best just after the tide has moved out.

Once you have found your spot dig a good size hole until you see water in it. Pile the sand from hole you are digging in one place. You will use this to make a base for your castle. Firm and flatten the pile. Some people sketch the castle they want to build before starting the hole, I just think about it when I am digging the hole. You do it whatever way works best for you.

If a "sweet spot" is not available, it is ok. Just get the best spot you can and use buckets to add water to your hole as you dig. When the hole is big enough to work with, add more water so it has some standing.

With your base firm and flat, add some sand to the water (and sand if necessary) in the hole, until it makes a wet paste. The idea is you want it moist enough to stick together, but dry enough to maintain a form. Getting the mixture just right may take a few times.

Using two hands plop the wet sand paste on to the base where you want to start construction. Gently, flatten and shape the mound you just plopped on the base. Repeat the plopping and flatten process to form a tower to the height you want. You want to do it this way because sand from an over turned bucket just is not tightly packed enough to support the weight of more layers on top of it. Once you have enough piles for what you want to make, you can start the sculpting process. Ninety percent of building of a sand castle is sculpting a structure from the piles.

Plastic utensils make the best sculpting tools. Use a knife to smooth out the walls, also carve bricks and windows into your castle. Spoons make great scapoled edges and arched doorways; just let your imagination go wild. During the building process, the sand may dry, to fix this keep a spray bottle handy to wet it down if it starts to dry and crumble while constructing it.

Keep an eye on the tide, it may come a take back its sand ruining your hard work. Above all else have fun; if you're not, you are not doing it right! In addition, remember to protect yourself from the sun while you are having all this fun!