Have you ever wanted to build a stupendously tall sandcastle? Us too!
It has been a dream of ours to create a huge sandcastle that can be admired across the world over. While that has yet to be realized, we did do a bit of research, spoke to our guests, and created some real tips to build the most awesome sandcastle possible.
What does it take to start? Just walk on down from one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals and spot the white sandy beaches. That’s all you need! Though we have a few tips to help ease you in.
Below is our guide to building your own sandcastle right here on the beaches of Anna Maria Island.
Step One: Get some basic tools.
We recommend getting a nice sandcastle building kit (one for each child perhaps, to avoid any potential problems). You can turn it into a sharing opportunity as well. Either way, a single kit with some basic tools is all you need. At a bare minimum, we recommend a bucket to carry water and a shovel to move sand. Anything else is a nice bonus.
Don’t worry if you don’t have any tools; just have a good time! Often, guests over-prepare and over-plan, and forget to spend enough time relaxing while building a sandcastle at the beach.
Step Two: Choose your sandcastle placement.
If you start too close to the water, you’ll be fending off the gulf before you even finish your base! Make sure you get a spot that is up by the shore. You also don’t want it too close to the plants by the shore. A nice and open spot right in the middle of the beach is best.
Step Three: Start with a strong foundation.
It is the top first step to getting a strong sandcastle. You do this by creating an openly flat area. You can use the back of your shovel to flatten the space, reiterating to the children that this is the creative space they have to go crazy!
Step Four: Have a basic plan in mind.
Do you want many tall points, a rounded top, a moat? Consider your pieces before you start piling it up. If you go for height, make sure you have the width and sand to support it! You would hate to see the structure collapse before you are picture-ready. We recommend encouraging the children to have a basic plan in mind. Even if it as simple as a single shape.
Step Five: Make thick sand.
All you have to do is add some water to your large pile of sand and mix it up. It’ll be a little sticky, but it will hold!
Plan Your Next Visit
The main goal of any sandcastle creation is fun. If you don’t have fun, there’s no point! Enjoy the surroundings of the beach at one of our Anna Maria Island rentals on Holmes Beach or check out one of our Anna Maria Island pet-friendly vacation rentals and find the one that best fits your family’s needs, which hopefully includes inspiration for an awesome sandcastle building session on the beach!
Step Six: Be creative and play around.
You never know what you can come up with! It’s okay if the water washes away a sandcastle. They aren’t meant to be around forever. It’s okay if a tower collapses or one of the kids goes off on a creative tangent that includes broken shells and characters from Disney. It’s all in service of having an awesome vacation by the beach.
