MAIN Summer Fun Guide Building Sandcastles

Some people think of surfing, fishing or swimming as the most popular summer beach activities. But there's nothing like whiling away an afternoon building castles in the sand ...

Sandcastle building tools to use

As every kid knows, you'll need a bucket and shovel for hauling the necessary ingredients - water and sand - to your mini construction site. These basics certainly come in handy for building up castle walls and digging out your moat. If you use your hands, be careful of sharp shells or discarded refuse as you dig down.

Also scout around for discarded paper cups to form your turrets, along with smooth beach glass and seashells to decorate and strengthen your completed sand fortress.

Drip castles

Along with traditional castle building techniques, also try sand "dribbling". All you'll need is extra water mixed in with your sand to make a slurry or wet sand "mud". Then steadily drip the slurry onto your foundation for a wild and imaginative effect.

Sand sculpture around the Web:

While sand castles are usually a kid's domain, beach sculpture is becoming ever more popular with adults who enter professional sand sculpture competitions held each summer at beach resorts worldwide.

Around the Web, discover more about sand sculpture, building construction and castles at top sites offering ideas, tips & tricks, photos and how to's for fun in the sun - and sand ...

How to Build a Sand Castle - Step-by-step instructions and suggested materials list, including helpful tips submitted by visitors at eHow.com

Sand Castle Central - Sand Sculpture Tips, Tricks and Pics - Like it says, with helpful illustrated how to's for wildly imaginative sand sculpture including modern art themes, as well as beginner tips for getting started in sand construction.

Sandcastle Building 101 - Feature story with professional instructions including tips on sand consistancy and compaction, necessary construction and carving tools, and advice on decorating your completed castle.

growabrain - Sand Sculpture Archives - An eye-popping collection of photos from world sand sculpture competitions, with related resources.

World Championships of Sand Sculpture - The annual competition held in British Columbia with a complete photo gallery, FAQ, an overview of how sand sculptures are made, information on sculptor entry, with related resources.

also see in Art -> Sculpture | Stone Sculpture | Wood Sculpture