Tools Needed to Make Sand Sculptures

I’ve been making sand sculptures for decades and found that there are only a few tools that I use.

Keep in mind, these are the tools that ordinary beachgoers will use. The “professional” sand sculptors use generators, power equipment, wooden forms, trucked in sand, etc. Most (if not all of that) would be illegal on most public beaches without special permission.

Except for the large shovel, none of them are sharp or potentially dangerous. The shovel needs to be put away from access by children when it’s not in use.

Here’s what you need (photos follow the list):

1. 

   A large, fiberglass handled shovel. WalMart sells them for about $15. Fiberglass means it is lightweight and won’t be harmed by salt water. You can also get one online here.
2. 
   Lightweight but sturdy buckets – I use 3: two for carrying water and one to store my tools. I use 10 qt (2.5 gallon or 10 liter) size, but get whatever size you can comfortably carry a bucket in each hand full of water from the ocean to your pile of sand. Obviously, larger buckets means fewer trips. I’ve found the best ones are very sturdy and have metal handles with a comfortable padded grip, like those gray ones at Home Depot. Here is a good bucket available online.

3. 

   A pie knife – Yup, it’s like a trowel used for working with wet concrete, but lightweight and better suited for sand. Here is one available online. Publix has a good one: straight smooth edges, not serrated, with a reasonably sharp point on the tip. The pie knife is truly a critical tool to have. I usually bring along a spare plastic one to give to children, who ask if they can “borrow” my tools. 😁
4. Disposable plastic spoons and knives – There are a million uses for these in doing detailed work. Any fast food restaurant or grocery store can supply a couple of these.
5. Cake knife – about 8 inches long, great for making small straight edges

6. 

   A metal paper towel holder – used as a “planer” for making smooth straight edges. This one is sold at WalMart, and the knobs to hold the paper towels make perfect handles. If you can’t find it locally, you can get it online here.
7. Small scoop – typical children’s beach scoop, for taking away medium quantities of sand.
8. Melon ballers or measuring spoons of different sizes – perfect for making perfectly round holes, like eyes.
9. Spray bottle – to gently wet the sand, as you sculpt. Especially useful on windy days when the sand dries quickly. I’m considering trying a 2 gallon garden sprayer, as it could hold more water, and eliminates so much pumping with your fingers.
10. Solo cups. Round plastic cups are very handy, the tops and bottoms make good round stencils, and you frequently need to pour small amounts of water to wet sand when sculpting.

Next, Choosing a subject