Chances are you've built plenty of sandcastles in your day, whether for your own enjoyment or that of your kids', only they probably looked like short, stocky sand piles about the size and shape of your beach bucket. It turns out that sandcastle sculpting is a bona fide art form, and there are artists who create these masterpieces for a living — they don't even have to live on the beach.
Sandcastle builders have branched out to big cities and more places you would never expect to see a sandcastle — and they're not just castles, either. From movie-inspired displays to abstract sculptures, these sandy works of art run the gamut. Check out these 25 spectacular sculptures made with nothing but sand and water.
Image via Pat Charles/Flickr
Castle on South African Beach
This extravagant sand castle was built on a South Africa beach by Ted Siebert of SandSculpting.com, one of the most well-known sand sculptors in the world. The display is so lifelike, it leaves you feeling like you can walk right up the front steps (though that would probably be a very bad idea).
Star Wars Return of the Jedi
Jabba the Hutt has kidnapped Princess Leia in this memorable scene from the Star Wars films.
Alice in Wonderland
Off with her head! Straight from the pages of the book, this Alice in Wonderland sand sculpture scene was created using 10 tons of sand.
1,001 Nights
Part of a 30,000-ton sand sculpture built in Kuwait, this sculpture reached heights of 30 feet and took two sculptors to make.
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Pele Goddess of the Sun
A tribute to the ultimate goddess of the sun, this masterpiece was built using 40 tons of sand.
Madagascar in the Sand
Everyone loves those crazy Madagascar characters, and with this sand sculpture, fans could finally walk all over them — no, no, that would be rude, but the sculpture itself is pretty spectacular.
Evil on the Brain
Part of the 2013 Sand Sculpture Festival in Dublin, this wow piece was created by world-renowned sculptor Duthain Dealbh. It appears to be a man's head being cracked open and pulled apart by demons.
Under Pressure
In 2003 well-known sand sculpture artist Bert Adams created the Texas-based Sand in the City, a fund-raising, team-building, sand-sculpting event. This particular piece of his seems to (literally) capture one nasty expression.
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Sandcastles in the Sky
This beauty was part of a huge sand-sculpting event in Australia a few years ago.
Camelot's Castle
This castle has been shared like crazy across social media and features knights, kings, queens, and warriors –the royal dream team.
America the Beautiful
This sculpture by Fantasy in the Sand depicts a patriotic scene that includes Lady Liberty, the Washington Monument, and more iconic American landmarks.
King Titan's Castle
The Little Mermaid's father certainly had quite a kingdom, which was recreated here in this enormous sand sculpture.
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When Worlds Collide
This sand sculpture features the Eiffel Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Swiss clockwork. Not only does it have a great deal of height on its side, but fine detail as well.
A Classic Castle
This beautiful sand sculpture with the many towers, steps, and windows is truly reminiscent of a historic castle. The incredible scroll detail around the windows alone is amazing.
Sprawling Castle With Dome
This sculpture boasts a domed ceiling and winding staircases, with incredible details in the tree trunks and watermill.
Racing Chariot
From the 12th International Sand Sculpture Festival in Søndervig, Denmark, this impressive sculpture of a racing chariot with wolves and birds flying overhead evokes power.
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Delivery
During the 2010 Sand Sculpting World Championship in Canada, sculptor Bert Adams created this as an ode to childbirth. Check out the sculpting detail in the side of the hand.
Sleeping Giant
Built on Fulong Beach in Taiwan, this "sleeping beauty" spanned 80 feet wide and 16 feet high — wowza!
Christmas Card
This holiday-themed sand sculpture turned out to be the perfect backdrop for a slew of Christmas cards. Tons of people snapped pics with it.
Caricature of a Politician
"A good caricature looks nothing like the person, but everyone knows who it is," says sculptor Bert Adams, who created this political sand sculpture in 2004 while in Texas at a Sand in the City event.
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