Build the Best Sandcastles

Superior Sand

As a sponsor of Texas Sandfest, Cinnamon Shore has a presence at the Port A native sand sculpting festival, made possible by the unique combination of sand, silt, and clay that makes it possible to carve into blocks of sand. 

You can even enjoy a special equivalent to one complimentary night when you book three nights over SandFest weekend, April 25-27, 2025.

See Sandfest Special 

Great Rates for Texas Sandfest

Sandfest brings in national and international master sculptors who showcase expertise that inspires. Stay at Cinnamon Shore for the best area accommodations and experience for this festival event.

Take advantage of our Sandfest Special, good for the April 25-27, 2025 event! You'll enjoy the equivalent of one complimentary night when you book three!

See Sandfest Special 

Pre-Festival Demos with an Expert

This year, master sand sculptor Andy Hancock will present pre-festival demonstrations from April 18-24, starting at 1 p.m. every afternoon. Then you can put your skills to the test in the amateur competition at the festival--set this year for April 25-27.

Learn More about Sandfest

Sandcastle Lessons: Summer Schedule

When you stay at Cinnamon Shore during spring break and summertime, we pass knowledge of the craft from local Mark Landrum, a.k.a. the Sandcastle Guy, with complimentary sandcastle lessons for homeowners and guests.

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends, Mark gives sandcastle lessons at least once a week on the beach at Cinnamon Shore. Your complimentary lesson will turn your children into mini experts in the ways of stacking and shaping sand.

See Memorial Day Schedule

What You'll Learn

Mark knows his sand buckets and carving tools. He's particularly fond of the plastic knives made by Texas grocer HEB for crafting his creations--and he's tried all the brands. "HEB's are the best," he says. So remember that when you're packing your sand toys for your next beach trip and throw in a package of plastic knives for beach time! Who knew?

When you come for a lesson at Cinnamon Shore, however, Mark will provide all the tools you and your child need for the two-hour session, while Mother Nature provides the sun, sand, and water.

The Science of Sand Sculpting

With 25 years experience sculpting sand, Mark explains the science of building sturdy castles. He throws out terms like "hydraulic compaction,"  the principle that allows tall and sturdy castles to stand strong.

He'll show your child how to use a bucket with a hole cut into the bottom, drawing up water into sand and letting it seep back down to make the grains stick together firmly.

Sandcastle building is best learned with hands-on play. Little ones will start with "pancake stacks" of sand and "volcano stacks"--soft mounds that allow carvers to make shapes in them. Mark will have 3 gallon buckets that kids can mix a slurry of Port A's particular type of sand and water once they dig to the water table on the beach. Then they can build castles--and anything else they can dream of.

From Working with Numbers to Working with Sand

Mark has been teaching vacation guests and homeowner kids how to make sandcastles at Cinnamon Shore since the beginning. "I started doing lessons there before there was a building down there," he says.

But before he decided to become a professional purveyor of sandcastle-building techniques, he worked as a bookkeeper in Corpus Christi. He learned sandcastle-building from other experts along Padre Island, and has become the go-to area sandcastle pro. "Now, i get to play on the beach," he says.

Book For Summer Fun

To make sure your kids get to enjoy complimentary sandcastle lessons at Cinnamon Shore, book your summer stay now!

See Available Rentals!