Building a sand castle on the white, sandy beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach should be on everyone’s bucket list!

Sand castle structures have become a real work of art. Have you ever seen a sand castle contest? It’s incredible the type of creations someone can make out of sand!

Something like that doesn’t happen overnight, though. It can take years of practice, and even the best sand artists started from somewhere: the basics.

Ready to try your hand at this fun art form? Below are a few tips on building a sand castle that will stand up without cracking or crumbling.

Gather Some Simple Tools

  • Small bucket
  • Plastic shovel
  • Large bucket with a hole cut into the bottom
  • Spatula
  • Drinking straw
  • Pencil

Find The Perfect Spot

  • You will need wet sand, so being near the water is ideal.
  • Don’t go too close to the water; your creation will get washed away.

Creating Your Masterpiece

  • First, dig your moat and pile the sand in the middle.
  • At the top of your pile, make a bowl. Use your bucket to pour water into the bowl. Pack the sand as the water seeps into it, and then jump on it. This will compress the sand.
  • Now mix the sand: Grab the bucket with the hole and turn it upside down. Fill this with sand and water – it will be wet and messy. This serves as a “concrete” for your foundation. Use the concrete to make pancakes and stack them onto the foundation to form towers.
  • Using the spatula, smooth all surfaces or sculpt things such as roofs or walls.
  • Use the pencil to draw in extra touches, such as windows, and blow away excess sand with the straw.
  • Make sure you are having FUN throughout the process! Show off your creativity and make the sand castle your own.


Clean Up

  • We love seeing your sand castles, so snap a picture when you’re done!
  • Fill in any holes and clean up all trash so we can continue protecting wildlife by following the Leave Only Footprints guidelines.

Want to dig a little deeper into creating your sand art? Watch this Sand Castle University video filled with tips and detailed visual instructions.