You would think that building a sandcastle on the beach would be a supremely futile task. You only have a short window of time to finish the job, and your creation could be demolished by a rogue wave at any moment, or trampled by a loose dog, or collapse under its own weight due to faulty architecture.
But of course, the exact opposite is true! Building sandcastles is delightfully fun and frantic child’s play of the best kind, and probably the coolest summer de-stressor for anyone lucky enough to visit a beach. Here the imagination runs wild. Who can resist the trial-and-error challenge of shaping a miniature Versailles or Minas Tirith out of wet sand, no matter how old you happen to be?
Building sandcastles is an ancient pastime. Ted Siebert writes in his book The Art of Sandcastling that the Egyptians made sand models of the pyramids back in the day. It’s also a great way to learn firsthand the very basics of engineering and physics.
While there are really no hard and fast rules for sandcastle construction, there are some helpful pointers to keep in mind for building successful palaces in the sand, according to Science.org:
Water to sand mix. Combining one part water with 99 parts dry sand gives you the best chance of building the most stable sandcastle.
Choose the location. Too close to the water and the waves will soon reduce your masterpiece to nothing. Too far away and you’re creating extra work for yourself as you’ll have to make repeated trips to the surf to get water and wet sand. Aim for a place that has damp (but not wet) sand, isn’t in a high-traffic area, and isn’t likely to be reached by waves.
Don’t dig a moat. It might seem like a good idea in theory—a barrier to collect any water that may rush in (and to protect your castle from invaders)—but, if dug too close to your castle, a moat can weaken your structure, as the sand around it collects excess water.
Keep it moist. If you’re building something big, you don’t want it to dry out before you’ve finished. You can keep your castle moist with a spray bottle.
Use proper tools. If you’re planning on adding intricate carvings and embellishments to your creation, make sure you invest in some good tools. These can be found in almost any kitchen drawer or garage toolbox―kitchen knife, putty knife, paint scraper, trowel, soft-bristled paintbrush, even a plastic drinking straw or two.
Enjoy this Daytripper tutorial, “Sandcastle Lessons”!
Photo by Vlad Fonsark/Pexels
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