The beach is calling and if there is one thing that goes perfectly with a day on the beach, it's gathering up the kids for an epic family sandcastle build. Oak Island has miles of pristine beaches that create the perfect family-friendly playground, and this week we have everything you need to make the ultimate sandcastle. So grab the kids, gather up the shovels and buckets, and let's get ready to build.
Gather your tools
Sandcastles are fun to make and the tools required to build a great sandcastle are cheap and easy to find. Talk about a winning combination for mom and dad! Been a while since you made a sandcastle? Here are the basic tools you'll want to bring to the beach. Shovel, Measuring spoons, buckets, small flat stick, spatulas, and molds for special shapes (easy to find in big box stores).
Pick a design
Before you start you should have an idea of what you want to build. Serious sandcastle building will require some planning. Don't limit yourself to the traditional "castles." There are loads of ideas you can bring to life in the sand. Try animals, cars, logos, or of course, sandcastles.
Are you ready to build? If so, there are six simple steps to follow while building the ultimate Oak Island beach sandcastle. We have them all outlined right here for you. Make sure to have your phone or camera ready because we would love to see your Oak Island sandcastle. Happy building.
Step 1. Outline & Dig
As we mentioned above, the first step is to outline the area you plan to build in. Think of this as a foundation or plot. Then, shovel sand from outside the lines into the center of your outline. You want to form a large mound. The pile should be a little bit taller than the first floor of the planned castle or slightly higher than the highest point of your planned sculpture.
Step 2. Pack The Sand
With the back of a shovel, pack the sides of the mound to form the walls. This will create a "bowl" to hold the water. Keep packing until you get the height you want. Remember the higher the walls are, the wider they'll need to be, particularly at the base to support the weight of the wall.
Step 3. Add Water
Get the sand wet by adding water. The more even the sand is soaked the better adhesion it will have. Think of this as the cement for your project.
Step 4. Begin To Build
Place a large bucket with the bottom cut off (5-gallon paint buckets are ideal) on the mound. Fill the bucket three-quarters of the way full with sand. Pour in water, climb in, and stomp. Tap sides with a shovel or your hands to remove air pockets. Repeat until bucket is full and then lift it off.
Step 5. Make The Towers
What's a castle without towers? Get a few small buckets to make the towers. Ones with the bottom cut out are ideal. Fill them with damp sand until they are overflowing. Level off the sand, turn the bucket over in the desired spot and lift. The more sizes of buckets you have, the more varied your towers. Some buckets even come with precast shapes and designs which are particularly fun for the little ones to build with.
Step 6. Carve Your Designs
Once you have the basic shape of your castle completed you're ready to move to the other details. Make sure the sides are straight. Now add windows, doors, and other details. Since the sand has been tightly packed with water, it should maintain its shape for some time.
Advanced tips and tricks
Use a butter knife If you want to create a sandcastle like a pro. If you need a pro tip, butter knives are the answer. They have nice round edges, are safe for the kids, perfect for cutting finer details, and they don't remove too much material at one time. Use creative molds. Don't just rely on those molds you find at the beach shop. Hit the hardware store and look for different size buckets, containers, PVC pipes, and tools. Build near the waterline.To build the perfect sandcastle picking the right location is essential. The sand near the waterline is firmer and will provide better support for your castle. Just don't get too close.
Have you booked your Oak Island beach vacation? If not, now is the perfect time to plan your next Oak Island vacation. How do you book your vacation? Easy. Just give us a call at 910-278-1147 or click the button below to check out all of our amazing inventory of beach rentals.
