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MORNING SESSIONS
For shoulder week rental guests, Andy will be offering FREE sandcastle lessons every morning. This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from a beach sand sculpture expert in a hands-on setting. The timings of these sessions will depend upon demand and availability.
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TOOL STORE
Every tool that Andy Hancock uses as a Pro and teaches aspiring Sandcastle builders will be on sale. From basic and full toolkits to epic tools, shovels, farming bucket sets, square-ended mini shovels, to trash cans. There will be demonstrations of how a wrap form works vs a wooden form for folks who want to move to the next level.
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AFTERNOON PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS
From 1 PM onwards, enjoy FREE public demonstrations led by Andy, where you can learn anything you've ever wanted to know about building spectacular sand sculptures using science and foolproof systems. These demonstrations will take place every day through Thursday, April 24th. Whether you're an aspiring sand sculpture or just curious, these sessions are perfect for all ages and skill levels.
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MEET & GREET
Andy will be on hand to answer questions, share tips, and help you make the most of your sand sculpting experience. As Andy always says, "Time and teamwork are the most important!" Press and sponsors are also welcome to come, film and ask questions during these sessions.
The Science of Sand Exabition at Texas SandFest 2025
Join YouTube personality and professional sand sculptor Andy Hancock as he kicks off the week on Saturday, April 17th with exclusive sandcastle lessons and demonstrations!
What is The Science of Sandcastles?
Why does science make sandcastles better?
Beach-Side Learning Extravaganza
Dive into a week filled with sandcastle building, science, and a bit of magic on the shores of Port Aransas before the main Texas SandFest kicks off!
Mix Fun with Physics
Ever wonder how geology, gravity, compaction and the right system keep your sandcastle standing tall? Discover these secrets and impress your friends with your new sand-sculpting smarts!
Tool Time
Get hands-on with the coolest tools used by both amateurs and masters alike. Watch the Amazing Sand Shapers (Willyspheres) in action and learn how to test sand quality faster than you can say "Tide's coming!" Explore our full tool store, stocked with everything you can imagine - from the best tools universally used by everyone to all the essentials like buckets and forms you'll need for your first competition. Dive into the world of FUN sand sculpting with the best equipment at your fingertips!
STEAM Powered
Boost your brainpower! Our activities are structured around STEAM (Science, Technology,, Engineering,, Art and Mathematics) to make learning as engaging as a day at the beach.
Save While You Play
Book early through our fabulous rental partners and gain free access to all sandcastle-building lessons, perfect for turning a family getaway into a treasure trove of fun and learning!
Learn the Fundamentals
Dive into the 4 Golden Rules and 5 Techniques used in professional sand sculpting. Perfect your skills and understand the foundation of every great sandcastle.
Meet the Masters and Watch the Art Unfold
Rub elbows with sand sculpting celebrities like Andy Hancock and watch semi-pros and advanced amateurs in action as they create stunning new sculptures. Find out why master sand sculptors do what they do and what else they do to make a living!
Creative Kickstart
Ignite your artistic flair and challenge your engineering edge. Whether you're crafting sea dragons or constructing dream castles, we're here to help bring your visions to life!
Competition Skills
Struggling with your technique in competitions? Come and ask specific questions about the challenges you face - We Can Help!
Support Local Scholars
By joining us, you're not just building castles; you're building futures! Our event focuses on using art and science to create educational opportunities and raise scholarship awareness.
Mark Your Calendars & Plan
Check schedules on Texas SandFest for the perfect time to learn, have lunch and then lounge. Sessions run daily. Remember, all event times are weather permitting, so book early to avoid disappointment!
Family Learning
All children must be accompanied by an adult, making this a fantastic opportunity for Mom and Dad to learn too!
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When you are Laughing, you are Leaning! Join us at The Science of Sandcastles for a pre-event week of family fun that's educational, entirely exceptional and wonderfully sandy!
Sandcastle Building Q&A
Where is the best beach for building Sandcastles?
Texas has some of the best beaches in the USA for building sandcastles. Its unique find sand, silt and clay content make it ideal for learning to build sandcastles. Welcome to the sandcastle capitol of the world!
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How much water should I use for my sandcastle?
The amount of water is crucial when learning to build strong sandcastles. Using buckets or forms means there is no such thing as too much water. Mixing the sane and water in a container as a slurry work best as the excess water drains straight into the beach.
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Can you explain the basic techniques of sandcastle building?
Here are 4 Golden Rules:
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Always use wet sloppy sand!
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Build your wet block in a pyramid shape that is always wider at the bottom.
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When the block is built, work on carving and details from top to bottom.
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Use your tools, not your fingers! Good habits will help you get better and faster.​
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What are the different types of sandcastle building techniques?
There are 5 different techniques
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Soft Packing is bashing damp sand into shape to make it stick together this used by babies and professionals! This can be used anywhere.
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Hand-Stacking: Use wet sloppy sand pancakes stacked by hand to make towers and walls. This can be used anywhere with varying levels of success.
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Drip Castling: Use wet sloppy sand dribbled through your fingers to form organic tree-like stacks of sand. This can be used anywhere.
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Wet Packing: Use a soft sand wall of any shape, filled with water, then sand is added to mold any shape wanted. This is good for making foundations for your castle to stand on and joining irregular shapes.
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Forming: The method we teach and professionals use. We use a form or bucket to hold a sloppy wet sand mixture which means the air is expelled and the draining wet sand forms a stable, very strong block. We regularly make sandcastles 6 ft high that weigh over 1000 pounds using this method.
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How do I make my sandcastle last longer?
Most formed castles will last the entire day. If you need to extend the durability of your sandcastle, keep it moist by lightly spraying it with water from a fine misting spray bottle throughout the build and shading it from direct sunlight if possible. Building during the early morning or late afternoon can also help avoid the peak sun that might dry out your sand too quickly. Professionals spray the outside of completed parts of the sculpture with environmentally friendly "glue" during competitions so you can enjoy the results!
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What are some advanced techniques for experienced builders?
Using forms is the way to progress to building larger sculptures and do commercial and competition work. Practice and watching professionals work will help you a lot but that is why we are running "The Science of Sandcastles" to help people progress and dispel some of the "myths" attached to the world of sandcastle building and sand sculpture. Techniques like arch building, intricate carving and mixing some or all of the 5 techniques can add sophistication to your designs.
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Are there any tips for sculpting detailed features?
Yes! Start with the larger shapes, this is called roughing out. This defines the basic design. Details are added after the base shape is finalized. Work from the top down using tools that suit your style of work. This can vary from say, castle and architectural designs through to figurative work, faces, etc. Use fine tools like paintbrushes for delicate features and keep your sand moist using a fine mist 1-gallon sprayer. Your tool selection will start with our full toolkit which will enable you to do just about anything you can dream of!
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How can I practice sandcastle building away from the beach?
You can practice sand sculpting at home using a sandbox or a large container filled with Fine sharp sand with no grit. Do not use play sand, it has been designed to be rounded and its useless for building anything. You can test sand with the sand shaper tools in a few minutes so you don't waste time and money on sand that will not let you progress.
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What should I do if my sandcastle collapses?
Don't get discouraged! Collapses are a part of the learning process, and recovering from a collapse gets you more points in competitions. Analyze what might have caused the collapse. It could be too much water, an uneven foundation, or too much weight on an unstable part. Use what you learn to improve your next attempt. Learning to stack sand is vital to moving up to bigger builds, you can see this at "The Science of Sandcastles" exhibit for a whole week before Texas SandFest starts.
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Where can I find more resources or classes on sandcastle building?
Many coastal communities offer sandcastle-building lesson during the Year. Online you can find tutorials, videos, and free advice from Professional Sculptor Andy Hancock (@sandcastleandy). He runs the largest collection of free online resources to help build Sandcastles on any beach in the world. The YouTube channel has over 300 videos on every technique https://www.youtube.com/@SandcastleAndy.
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What can I learn at Texas SandFest?
All of the above!
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