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Unlock your inner child with Sandcastle University in Gulf Shores Alabama

September 23, 2019 by Jill Leave a Comment

If you’re visiting Gulf Shores Alabama and want to up your sandcastle game, I’ve got all the information you need. I’ve always though sandcastle art was beyond me. Although I’ve always loved playing in the sand with my kids, the sandcastles I’ve helped them build over the years don’t…well, they don’t really look like castles. Or dwellings of any kind. We spent an hour with Janelle from Sandcastle University on our recent visit to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach and I’m happy to report my sandcastle game is much improved. I’m not the expert Janelle is – that’s why she’s the professor – but my sandcastles actually look like castles and I learned some really cool tricks I can use on our future trips to the beach. Your kids might not want to go to school on vacation but Sand Castle University will make everyone happy. 

Sandcastle University at Gulf Shores Alabama

Your Sandcastle University Instructor will bring all the supplies right to you.

My kids and I were hosted by Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism. All opinions are my own. Additionally, this post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn commission from purchases you make through this website. Thank you for supporting Ripped Jeans and Bifocals.

June 2020 Update: Alabama beaches are open. If you’re comfortable traveling, here are some things you need to know about summer travel to Gulf Shores.

Table of Contents

    • First, what exactly is Sandcastle University?
    • Where is Sandcastle University?
    • How long are the classes?
    • How much do classes cost?
    • Worth it?
    • Looking for more to do in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach?
  • Looking for another fun Southeast destination?

First, what exactly is Sandcastle University?

Sandcastle University is a personalized class in sandcastle making. They have pricing structure for 1-10 people and 10-20 people so this is something you can do as a family or as a larger group. Think multi-family fun, scouts, church groups, etc. If you have more than 20, contact them to see what’s possible. The tone of their website is all about making it work, so if you don’t see exactly what you want, definitely talk to them.

Where is Sandcastle University?

Sand Castle University operates out of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Alabama but the classroom is wherever you are. How cool is that? Janelle met us on the beach outside our condo. It’s a perfect activity for a chillaxed beach day or a day when you don’t have much planned – and really every beach vacation should include a day like that. 

If you want more suggestions on things to do in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, read here.

https://rippedjeansandbifocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SCC-101-Jill-1.mp4

How long are the classes?

Sandcastle University offers two levels of classes, Sandcastle 101 and Sandcastle 102. Sandcastle 101, which is what we took, was an hour-long class. Sandcastle 102 is a two-hour class that focuses on more advanced techniques and it’s recommended for 12+.

What do I need to bring?

Sandcastle University teaches you how to make awesome sand art...and they come to you.

And voila! The one on the right front is our instructor’s demo castle (obviously) but we learned a lot of hacks to help us build epic sandcastles on our next trip to the beach.

Nothing but yourselves and whatever else you’d bring to the beach, such as towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, drinks, etc. Sandcastle University provides all the things you’ll need for class. Think of it as a school you don’t have to buy school supplies for. Pretty cool, huh?

How much do classes cost?

Sandcastle 101 for groups of less than 10 people runs $120. The 10-20 person class is $200. Sandcastle 102 is proportionally more, which prices being $220 and $300. You can easily split the cost with another family and make it more affordable.

In addition to the hour of instruction, you get a time-lapse video of your lesson as well as a supply list of what tools were used. All tools used can be purchased at any big box or hardware store but you probably have most of what you need in your house already. 

The supplies are really basic – five gallon buckets with the bottoms sawed out, paint brushes, straws, plastic knives.

Worth it?

Definitely. You’ll unlock sandcastle building skills you never knew you had and gain knowledge that you’ll take beyond the Sandcastle University classroom. And, when I say sandcastle university classroom, I mean your favorite beach spot in the Gulf Shores Alabama/Orange Beach Alabama area. I think that’s one of the coolest parts of all – that they come to you.

For more information – and to see samples of sandcastle building and some INCREDIBLE sandcastle art – check out the Sandcastle University website.

Looking for more to do in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach?

Check to see what Viator has to offer.

There are lots of fun things to do on the beach at Gulf Shores Alabama and Orange Beach Alabama.

Looking for another fun Southeast destination?

Searching for my lost shaker of salt – Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg

If you don’t see what you’re looking for here, check out the list of things to do at destinations across the globe with Viator.

Want the latest in travel guides and travel gifts? Check out what’s available on Lonely Planet.

 

Sand castle on the beach


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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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rippedjeansandbifocals

Freelance Writer & Travel Expert
Producer, Listen to Your Mother SA
💜 Mom via birth & #adoption
🐈 Human to @remusthebengalcat
🇺🇸 USAF veteran
📍#texas

Jill Robbins
Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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I always hide my crooked bottom teeth in pictures and I’m super self-conscious when I talk. So I did something about it.
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I wore braces as a kid and my top teeth are straight but my bottom teeth are shifting and one tooth is traveling into the back of my mouth and I have some crowding. My orthodontist said it’s very unusual to put braces on just half your mouth but my bite is still aligned so they didn’t have to put them on my top teeth - my wallet is thankful.
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Questions I’ve already been asked:
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1️⃣ At your age? Yes, at my age. I still care about my smile. 
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3️⃣ How long do you have to wear them?
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6-9 months.
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3️⃣ Do they hurt? 
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My teeth are sore and my mouth is tender but not to the Tylenol level so I guess the answer is “Not too much.”
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Other questions? Advice?
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#braceface #adultbraces
Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

On those morning where my husband takes my kids to school, I will inevitably find the kitchen not "just so." There will be spills on the table or something that didn't get put away. I resist the urge to be sarcastic or to ask "Um, is there a reason we have four boxes of cereal just sitting on the counter?" or point out that it would take less than 30 seconds to wipe a tabletop or put a box back on the shelf. I resist saying stuff like "I guess if I want it done a certain way, I have to do it myself." I don't even say that to myself. 

My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

#thisisus #thisismarriage #loveandmarriage #happywifehappylife #marriedlife #mancrusheveryday #texas #texasstyle #rippedjeansandbifocals #marriagegoals #relationshipgoals #coparenting #parenting #momlifebelike #momlifeisthebestlife #ocd #ocdmomproblems #ocdmommy
Anyone else having massive “This time last year” moments?
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2020 started out so fine. We extended our kids’ winter break to take them on a Disney Cruise- no better reason than that, amiright- and I was excited about all the Disney Cruise blog posts I was going to write. Disney Cruises are (errr...were?) one of the most searched terms on my website and how a lot of people found me.
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Early 2020 was such a time of hope and light that pretty much everyone took for granted.
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While it’s become glaringly obvious the change in the calendar isn’t a magic potion, I still have hope for this year and still believe there magic yet to happen.
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You know...the good stuff.
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#believe #disneycruise #disneycruiseline #disneycruiselife #disneywonder #disneymagic #disneycreators #disneycreatordays #mondayxmhe #disneymagicmoments #nowmorethanever
We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the holidays and finally dug into it this weekend. Our box had a cold-weather theme which was perfect for this cold weather we're having (flurries in San Antonio can you believe it?!)

Each box contains three recipe cards, a culinary tool, an iron-on patch and Table Talk conversation starter cards. A shopping list is included and also emailed to you in advance in case you want to be ready to cook as soon as your box arrives. You buy all the groceries yourself. 

We made homemade chicken and dumplings this weekend and they turned out amazing. If you need modifications (i.e. gluten or dairy free) you can hop on to the @raddishkids website and go to the "Bonus Bites" section. You'll find modifications, food videos, extra recipes, parent info and more fun stuff. 

The price ranges from $20-$24 per box depending on what type of subscription you choose. Boxes are designed for kids 4-14+ with varying degrees of supervision needed depending on your child's skills and age. Kyle and i have done two meals from this box - we still have cookies left to make - and worked together about 50-50. It was a lot of fun. 

To order yours, here's my affiliate link https://raddish-kids-monthly-delivery.sjv.io/edoAr or read my full review (link in bio)

#raddishkids #raddishkidscook #raddishkidsrecipes #kidswhocook #kidchef
I think today would be better if I could hang out I think today would be better if I could hang out with donkeys all day. 

There's a reason animals are used in therapy - they are both comforting and fun. This picture was from our October outing to Wassermann's Wranch outside of Alpine (in West Texas.) I love my beautiful state and the landscape of West Texas fascinates me because it's so different than what I see every day here near San Antonio.

Wassermann's Wranch is located just a few miles outside the city. It's a private hobby farm that sees visitors by reservation. It's absolutely worth planning your day around and you can check out more in my blog post linked in my bio.

I didn't realize I liked donkeys until I got to know these guys. The owner, Heidi, told me "I think you might be a donkey chick."

I think I'm OK with that. 

#texas #texastodo #alpinetexas #alpinetexas #westtexas #westtexastravel #texastravel #fridayxvibez #familytravel #visitaplinetexas #donkeysofinstagram #donkeys #donkeyselfie
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