Your Sandcastle Guide to Harvey’s Beach

A sandcastle sits on the serene shores of Harvey's Beach.

A new year has arrived, which means one thing: spring break is right around the corner! Your family deserves a restorative break from work and school, even if just for a weekend. Old Saybrook, CT, is your go-to family vacation destination this spring break season. Our quaint seaside town is perfect for those looking to avoid large crowds and travel responsibly, offering great outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy. One wonderful activity is building a sandcastle at Harvey’s Beach, ideal for those traveling with curious little ones. They can be as creative as they want, promoting a memorable and imaginative family vacation experience! 

 

When you come into town, stay with Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, where your stay along the stunning Connecticut coast will be exceptional. We are delighted to offer wonderful family-friendly accommodations packed with excellent amenities and incredible views. Harvey’s Beach is located just ten minutes from our resort, allowing for easy access to a fun day in the sun. Follow our sandcastle guide to Harvey’s Beach below for all the best tips and tricks! 

Spend Your Day Building Sandcastles at the Beach

Before you head out to Harvey’s Beach, grab takeout from Fresh Salt, our on-site restaurant, and pack up a picnic lunch to share with your loved ones by the cool water. Sandcastle building can surprisingly cause quite the appetite! Now that lunch is all sorted, let’s get into the guide! 

  1. Pack the proper tools: You can purchase various sandcastle building materials and kits online. We recommend at least having some plastic buckets and shovels to help mold, hold, and gather sand. By having buckets and shovels ready, you can also ensure your younger ones don’t make too much of a mess! 
  2. Use moist (not sopping wet) sand: It holds shapes better. Squeeze a dampened ball of sand in your hands for a few seconds, and if it stays together as you roll it around, that’s the perfect consistency. 
  3. Compact your sand: Densely packed sand is best for building your structure’s base and achieving the desired height. Want strong towers and walls? This compacted sand can hold for a long time, allowing for detailed carving and intricate tower shapes! You will want to carve carefully because sand chunks cannot go back once removed.
  4. Dig a water hole: Dig a water hole: Consider establishing your own sandy water source, for those looking to build like a pro. If that’s a little too much, just scoop up some nice seawater in your buckets. Once you get to Harvey’s Beach, dig and keep digging until you hit 
  5. Have fun: there really is no true guide to sandcastle building. It’s all about allowing your imagination to run wild and seeing where it takes you! As mentioned before, you can purchase sandcastle kits online, many of which come with ready-made molds—great for those with younger children or tight vacation schedules. 

For more in-depth information on building the “perfect” sandcastles, check out this article from The Guardian. We hope you share your sand creations by tagging us on social media! 

Stay near Harvey’s Beach This Spring Break

Saybrook Resort & Marina is so excited to see how you’ll spend your incredible spring break in lovely Old Saybrook, CT. After a sun-filled day at Harvey’s Beach, retreat back to your comfortable accommodation, from cozy standard rooms to luxury suites. There is something for everyone. Book your stay with us online today!

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