The beach, little ones, and a sand castle!
Taking the kids to the beach, together you can build a great castle and spend family time.
It’s not child’s play, building a sand castle can make you feel like a kid again. What’s more, your work of art will be out there on the beach for all to see and admire until the current comes in 
.
Here is how to build a sand castle!
For this project, you will need a shovel, funnel, putty knife, butter knife, one 5-gallon bucket with the bottom cut out, and one regular 5-gallon bucket. Of course don’t forget the little one!
The completed castle will have two towers joined by a “stone” wall.
First, create a big platform on which to build your castle. Mound up and pack down sand. Build your platform in 6-inch segments, pack them down with your fists and pour a half-bucket of water over it.
Once your platform is finished, fill the bottomless bucket a quarter full with sand. Add half a bucket of water then pack in more sand and water until the bucket is full. Place the bucket toward one side of the sand platform for the body of one tower and gently rotate the bucket to remove the sand.
Fill the funnel with packed sand and place it upside down on top for the pointed roof. Carve the body of the castle so it angles down and out from the roof. Then repeat the process for the second tower.
You can build a wall between the two towers and carve stone shapes into it. Carve doors and windows into the towers and walls of the castle.
Have fun this summer, enjoy the beach and be safe! Watch the little ones, keep them close.
Maria Smith-Alvira
