SANDCASTLE DAY
Today is August 5 on the National Day Calendar and we are celebrating the childhood pastime of building sandcastles on Sandcastle Day. The weather is beautiful with warm temperatures and the days are long enough to enjoy it exploring outdoors, especially using our imagination to build an enormous sand castle.
#SANDCASTLEDAY
Summertime is the best time for adventures for families. The weather is beautiful with warm temperatures and the days are long enough to enjoy it exploring outdoors. Nature is at its best with flowers in bloom, colorful landscapes, blue skies, and beautiful green trees. Sandcastle Day is one of those National Days where families can embark on a creative adventure together. Whether you go to the beach, play in the backyard sandbox, or go to a park with sand, you and your family will spend hours celebrating today's National Day.
Building a sandcastle is the perfect opportunity for anyone to release some creativity. The best thing about building a sandcastle is you don't need anything expensive to make one. You can grab items from your kitchen, like cups, spoons, forks, bowls, and more and build the most amazing sandcastle. This is one carefree activity that brings back happy childhood memories, while making new ones! Plus, it's inexpensive and requires no special skills.
5 Benefits of Playing in the Sand
Playing with sand can be therapeutic for both kids and adults. Building a sandcastle is a hands-on activity that requires touching and shaping sand. The silky, softness of the sand while manipulating it can relax your brain.
Creating sandcastles sparks creativity and imagination. This is especially important with children because their completed creation gives them as sense of accomplishment.
Families can bond of building sandcastles by encouraging everyone to work together, talk to one another about their ideas, and work around a group of people to make the sandcastle theme work. Most importantly, it's a great way for families to spend time together.
Moving, digging, carrying buckets of sand, and working with your hands are great ways to exercise. It may not seem like a lot, but you are moving muscles you normally don't use on a daily basis.
Building sand castles is good for your mental health and make a great teaching tool. Sandcastles are temporary and can be washed away by water or rain. Knowing this encourages and teaches people to appreciate the moments of joy after the sand castle is built. Plus, exposure to light boosts your mood and reduces stress.
What is Sand Made Of?
Sand is primarily loose mineral particles of quartz. The type of sand depends on the location the sand is on and type of rocks that have eroded over time. Quartz is a durable mineral with a crystalline structure and has the ability to maintain its composition through weather and erosion. Interestingly, sand can come in a variety of colors, such as white, yellow, brown/tan, and pink. The color of sand is a result of other minerals and textures in the area the sand is located. Shells, volcanic glass, and limestone all contribute to the different colors found on sandy beaches throughout the world.
WAYS TO CELEBRATE SANDCASTLE DAY
Celebrating the simple joy of making sandcastles is all about family and friends. You will find joy in the memories you create by sharing the experience with others.
Attend a festival. There is an entire community of sandcastle enthusiasts found throughout the U.S. In fact, you can find several contests where sand artists gather to showcase their skill and creativity.
Find a place near you and plan for a day of sandcastle building with your family. Bring a picnic lunch and snacks for when you decide to take a break.
Create an entire village made out of sand. Bring items to place within your creation, such as cars, animals, people, and even furniture.
Organize a potluck with family and friends at the beach and host a friendly sandcastle competition.
Share your sandcastle creations and memories on social media by tagging #SandcastleDay.
WHO CREATED SANDCASTLE DAY?
National Day Calendar was unable to find the origins of Sandcastle Day. However, we did find the art of making sandcastles dates back to ancient Egyptian and Greek civilizations. Historical records indicate building sand sculptures were for religious and ceremonial purposes. Professional sandcastle sculpting became a profession around 1897, when the first sculpture contest was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.