Sandcastles and sand sculptures were once considered child’s play, but not anymore. In recent years, more and more adults have embraced the art form, turning it into a creative hobby that ranges from simple, one-bucket builds to intricate, all-day undertakings involving shovels, trowels and multiple 5-gallon buckets.
With its abundance of sand and surf, the Jersey Shore is an ideal canvas for sand artists. In fact, people have been sculpting along the shore since the late 1800s.
Creating a sandcastle involves more than a pile of sand—it’s also a lesson in physics. The strength of a sandcastle depends on water acting as a binding agent between millions of tiny grains of sand. Water molecules coat the grains and form miniature bridges that hold them together.
But building a great sandcastle requires more than just sand and water. It takes patience, a steady hand, some creativity—and plenty of SPF 50 sunscreen. A few simple tools can go a long way: a 5-gallon bucket (used for both water and as a mold), a long-handled shovel, a small gardening trowel, a plastic toy bucket, a yardstick, a 12-inch ruler, a drywall scraper and a 1-inch putty knife. Advanced sculptors may even bring a melon baller, wooden toothpicks, an old toothbrush, and plastic straws for precision detailing—such as gently blowing sand from small crevices.
Atlantic City has hosted several world-class sand sculpture competitions. In 2020, the Atlantic City Arts Foundation produced “Beyond the Castle,” a documentary featuring local sand artist John Gowdy. It’s available on YouTube at this link: youtube.com/watch?v=kWJ6GZQilVI.
For anyone interested in learning the craft, a few great books include “Sandcastles Made Simple” by Lucinda Wierenga (2009), “Castles in the Sand” by Michael DiPersio (1982), and “Sand Sculpture Art” (2023). All are available through Amazon and offer tips on everything from basic techniques to advanced finishes like staircases, windows and rock textures.
So next time you’re at the beach, grab a bucket and start building your own masterpiece. The sand is waiting.
