Three to four shovels of different styles and sizes
Three to four small buckets in different styles and sizes
A large area, such as a beach
A creative open mind
A spoon of any size
Sea shells, rocks and other creative items
Make sure sand is clean of debris such as trash, rocks, etc.
Make sure that sand is moist
Make sure shovels and buckets free of debris
Finding a location
Find an area that is large enough to hold your imagination and far enough away from others so that they don’t accidentally damage your site.
Clear the location of debris that will not be used in the construction
If you are on a beach, make sure that the tide will not get to the castle
Put all building materials such as buckets and shovels near the building site
Making a foundation
Use your feet to harden the area where the castle will be located. This will prevent premature crumbling of the castle walls and extremities.
Using your bucket and or shovel, dig a four to five inch deep trench around the area that the castle will be located. Be sure to pack the sand within the trench tightly. When construction is complete this trench will be filled with water to deter unwanted visitors. For now it will be used to mark your area.
Fill one of the buckets with moist sand
Pack the sand in tight
Turn the bucket upside down to spill the sand out in one piece. (If the sand breaks apart add more water)
Repeat this step as desired using different size buckets (These mounds are the body or buildings in your castle)
Using moist sand and the flat part of your shovel, pack small mounds of sand connecting the larger mounds of sand. Be creative, the castle does not have to be a perfect square or circle. These walls can be straight or curved, it is up to you. Keep in mind, do not get too close to the moat.
Use things such as sea shells and rocks as windows and doors ( This adds a personal creative touch)
Easily pressing and dragging a small shovel or spoon in the sand will make roads. Add the roads as needed between the buildings within the castle walls
Creative touch continued
Smooth rough edges of buildings with the spoon or shovel
Use small sticks to make trees within the castle and surrounding areas
Build a bridge leading out of your castle. This can be done using sand or some random debris such as a stick found on the beach
Making the trench a moat
If you haven’t already done so, pack the sand within the trench tightly (this will help the trench hold water)
Fill the buckets with water
Transport the water to the castle location
Dump the water into the trench around the castle. The trench has now become a moat!
Defending your castle
Put up markers around your area such as flags or sticks
Sit by or play in your area so passers by see the castle and walk around
Creativity is key, using your imagination will help make a good castle GREAT!
Random items found on the beach make great additions to castles
Never use dry sand, this will not stay together and will not work.