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How to Build a Tall Sand Castle

When spending a day at the beach, many beachcombers can get a case of sand castle envy. It may seem like an impossible task to build a huge sand castle without it collapsing, but with the right techniques and the right foundation anyone can easily build a sand castle worthy of a king.

Things You'll Need

Large bucket with the bottom cut out
Small bucket for water
Shovel
Spatula

Instructions

- 1
  Find the perfect real estate. The most important factor for building any type of real estate, including sand castles, is choosing the right area for your foundation. When looking for the perfect place for your sand castle you need a place that is wet. The best option is close to the water, but not so close that you are in the way of the tide. Your base sand should be wet enough that you can form it into a shape within your hands without it immediately falling apart.
- 2
  Build a mountain foundation. Start scooping your sand toward the middle in a large mountain about 2 feet high and 3 feet round at its base. Create a small hole in the top and pour about 3 buckets full of water into the hole. Squash the top of your volcano down until you have a 14-inch across flat area on the top of your mountain.
- 3
  Place your 5-gallon bottomless bucket on one edge of your mountain so that about 1/4 of the bucket cuts into your mountain and the other 3/4 is off the mountain. Push the bucket down until it is level with the base of your mountain. Fill the bucket with sand. Just like with your mountain, form a small hole inside the sand and pour a couple buckets of water into the hole. Use your hands to pack down the sand and then slowly remove the bucket. Repeat this process on all four corners of your mountain.
- 4
  Place the 5-gallon bucket directly on top of your mountain in the middle of the four new towers that you have just built on the sides. This time do not push the bucket into the sand but just let it rest directly on top of your mountain. Fill the bucket with sand, repeat the water-hole process, carefully pack it down so that you do not destroy your mountain. Slowly take the bucket off of your mountain, leaving the new tower in place.
- 5
  Time to decorate. Your sand castle will already be quite impressive. However, you can make it even more impressive by adding true castle-like details. You can take a spatula, melon baller, or even your shovel and make as many details as you desire on your castle. You are only limited by your own imagination.

Rocks & Minerals